Producers of Dog Whisperer Casting Its New Reality Pilot 'Nerd Girls'

MPH Entertainment, producers of the Emmy-nominated hit TV show "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan," is now casting its new reality pilot "Nerd Girls."

Developed from a professor's curriculum and the web site Nerdgirls.com -- both created by Dr. Karen Panetta, a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Tufts University -- the "Nerd Girls" brand concept builds on Panetta's original initiative, encouraging women to change their world through science, technology, engineering and math, all while embracing their feminine power.

Says MPH partner Jim Milio, "Popular culture has become obsessed with stereotyping young people. Young women seem especially vulnerable to narrow-minded labeling by their peers. We believe that empowering young women to demonstrate that 'geek is chic' and 'brains are beautiful' offers a potent and compelling message in today's media-obsessed society."

MPH, along with "Nerd Girls" partners Paola di Florio, Karen Johnson, Stephanie Davis and Dr. Panetta are beginning a nationwide search for talented female engineering and science students who defy stereotypes and have a multi-faceted life beyond the books.

Selected girls will become part of the "Nerd Girls" brand that includes a multimedia campaign to change the image of nerd girls worldwide. The "Nerd Girls" will get the chance of a lifetime to use their engineering skills to solve real world problems and to improve both our quality of life and our environment. They'll help create new pop culture role models who embody the talent and diversity of nerd girls, and will serve to encourage more girls and young women to consider engineering and related studies as a career.

Women ages 18-23 who are interested in becoming a Nerd Girl are encouraged to visit www.nerdgirls.com for application and submission information.

The "Nerd Girls" brand has received funding and support from the IEEE foundation (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), the world's largest professional organization for the advancement of technology.