About Paradox Institute
Bringing clarity to the biology of sex.
Paradox Institute is a science education nonprofit focused on male and female development—transforming genetics, developmental biology, and endocrinology into visual, interactive, and sourced education.
Our mission
We transform complex biology into interactive, visual, sourced education for parents, teachers, students, and the public.
Our approach
Science should be understandable without losing its depth. Paradox Institute makes the biology of sex and human development accessible through clear, visual education grounded in scientific literature.
Drawing from genetics, developmental biology, and endocrinology, our work helps readers understand both the science and the evidence behind it.
How we teach
See it. Understand it.
Follow the evidence.
See it.
Complex biological processes become diagrams, animation, illustration, and interactive pathways.
Understand it.
Technical subjects become clear explanations without losing scientific depth.
Follow the evidence.
Scientific literature stays connected to the explanation for readers who want to examine it.
Our impact
From education to real-world application.
Impact at a glance
20M+Social media impressions
1M+Video views
1,800+Books sold
15+Podcast & interview appearances
OUR IMPACT
Education & Production
Visual, interactive resources help people understand and share the biology of sex development.
01 · Animated video
1 million+ video views across platforms
More than 50 educational videos explain male and female development and are used in classrooms and by parents, clinicians, and lawmakers.
Explore the video archive
02 · Books
1,800+ copies sold
Six published books offer visual guides and longer-form analysis of sex development, including titles that reached #1 in the Biology and Anatomy categories.
Browse the books
03 · Interactive charts
100,000+ educated
More than 30 interactive charts make male and female sex development and disorders of sex development easier to follow.
Explore the interactive charts
04 · Print
8,000+ pamphlets distributed
The Myths of Gender-Affirming Care pamphlet brings research into a concise, shareable format and has been ordered by parents, schools, and hospitals to help combat misinformation.
View the pamphlet and PDFFrom public educationTo policy and law
OUR IMPACT
Policy & Legal Work
Our expertise in communicating complex science has been utilized for public policy decisions across the world, ranging from small local organizations to entire governments.
Our team
The people behind Paradox.
Science, research, writing, illustration, and education brought together.
Founder & CEO
Zachary Elliott
A science educator who has studied the biology of sex since 2017. He has authored four books on sex differences, combining research with accessible explanations for a general audience.
President
Cynthia Breheny
A digital artist, animator, and author. Her design work and lived experience with gender dysphoria inform how she communicates sex and gender concepts.
Editor & Contributor
Talia Nava
Her formal education is in cognitive psychology and medical anthropology. She has also worked with patients in a psychiatric hospital.
Editor & Contributor
Sammy Stagg
A neuroscience PhD student studying circadian neuroinflammation in dementia, with research interests that include sex differences, sexuality, and gender dysphoria.
Our organization
An independent science education nonprofit.
Paradox Institute is a science education nonprofit focused on male and female development. It is an independent 501(c)(3) public charity. Supporters fund its visual, research-grounded educational work.
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