Directory

Step inside the TED Fellows community

Each year, a new group of TED Fellows from around the world, and from every discipline, are welcomed into this international community of remarkable thinkers and doers.

TED Fellows
2024 Cohort

TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

Photojournalist, visual artist

Daro Sulakauri
Daro Sulakauri is a Georgian photojournalist and visual Artist. Using mixed media with documentary and contemporary approach, her work chronicles the social and political issues in the Caucasus. She graduated from the International Center of Photography in New York. Upon completing her studies, she returned to the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia to document a hidden narrative of the Chechen conflict in an outpost of refugees which won her Young Photographers in Caucasus Award from Magnum Photos in 2009. Her work on early marriages in Georgia was awarded the first prize by LensCulture, EU prize for journalism. She was a participant of the World Press Photo Joop Swart Masterclass 2017, Reuters Photojournalism grantee and a Catchlight global Fellow. Daro is a frequent contributor for The New York Times. Her work appears in Reuters, National Geographic, Die Zeit, Forbes, Der Spiegel, Times, The Economist, Bloomberg, among others. She currently lives and works in Georgia.
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TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

Assistant Professor

Erika Moore Taylor
Dr. Erika Moore is an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, leading the Moore Lab in pioneering research on engineering biomaterial models to leverage the regenerative potential of the immune system, particularly in addressing health disparities. Her work focuses on understanding myeloid immune cell function and designing tissue models for diseases that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Dr. Moore is a TED Fellow and NSF CAREER Awardee, recognized for her contributions to advancing scientific knowledge and inclusivity in the field. Beyond her research, she is dedicated to promoting financial literacy through her non-profit organization, Moore Wealth Inc., aiming to empower individuals, particularly underrepresented groups in STEM, in managing their finances and professional development.
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TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

Visual artist, poverty researcher

Huiyi Lin
Huiyi Lin is a versatile professional with a rich background in market research, economic policy formulation, and art. With a career spanning over 15 years across China and Singapore, she has demonstrated a keen ability to leverage data-driven insights to drive impactful strategies in both the private and public sectors. Huiyi is the founder of Asymmetrics Research, a consultancy specializing in tailored market research solutions for the food and agriculture sector in China and the APAC region. Her expertise in tracking trends, analyzing market dynamics, and providing strategic recommendations has empowered businesses to navigate the complexities of the industry landscape effectively. Furthermore, as a co-artist at Chow and Lin, Huiyi combines statistical, mathematical, and computational techniques to address pressing global issues through art, aiming to provoke critical discussions and raise awareness on social matters. Her multidisciplinary approach, strong communication skills, and strategic acumen underscore her commitment to driving positive change through research and artistic expression.
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TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

Medical mythbuster

Joel Bervell
Joel Bervell (@joelbervell) is a Ghanaian-American medical student and science communicator, widely recognized as the 'Medical Mythbuster.' Through viral social media content, he addresses racial disparities, the hidden history of medicine, and biases in healthcare. With 1M+ followers across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram and 300M+ video impressions, he enlightens audiences about healthcare's neglect of marginalized groups through stories and studies. Bervell's influence extends beyond social media, having published research in journals like The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery and serving on councils including the White House’s Health Care Leaders in Social Media and the Council for Responsible Social Media. He has been interviewed on the Kelly Clarkson Show, in the New York Times, honored as a Smithsonian Channel 'Cyclebreaker,' Scientific American 'Revolutionary,' and a Seattle Forbes 30 Under 30.
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TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

Ocean navigator

Lehua Kamalu
I am a voyager, captain, and navigator of traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoes. My work is based in Honolulu, Hawaii where I was raised on the beautiful Koʻolau (windward) side of the island. I have been a member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society since 2009, where I was trained in the art and practice of non-instrument wayfinding, and where I currently serve as the Voyaging and Partnerships Director. I have completed over 15 voyages and in April 2022, proudly lead elite crew from Hawaiʻi to Tahiti, traveling 2,300-nautical miles to Tahiti in just 17 days. I was fortunate to be one of the first graduating classes of Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Pūʻōhala, one of the first Hawaiian-language immersion schools established in Hawaiʻi. I am a National Geographic Explorer, Emerson Collective Dial Fellow, MIT Media Lab Directorʻs Fellow, and a member of the First Nations Futures Fellows, which supports Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and Maori emerging leaders. I also attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and hold a Bachelorʻs of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
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TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

Health systems entrepreneur

Mohamed Aburawi
Mohamed Aburawi is a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to revolutionizing healthcare accessibility and education in regions facing conflict and economic challenges. Through initiatives like Speetar, he aims to establish resilient care systems that not only provide immediate medical services but also empower communities for sustainable development. His focus on supporting vulnerable groups like women and children in crisis situations underscores his commitment to equitable healthcare and education opportunities. By leveraging innovative technology and forging global partnerships, Mohamed strives to ensure that every individual has the chance to thrive, irrespective of their circumstances. His work embodies a mission to make universal access to healthcare and education a reality worldwide.
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TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

Mechanical engineer

Norah Magero

Norah Magero is a mechanical engineer and creator of VacciBox, a cold chain solution saving lives in rural communities. She is working to build an Africa that manufactures and produces its own climate-health care technology.

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TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

Chemosensory researcher, nurse

Paule Joseph
Dr. Paule Joseph is a distinguished Lasker Clinical Research Scholar and Chief of the Section of Sensory Science and Metabolism at the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Her expertise lies in the realm of chemosensation, with a specific focus on taste, smell, and chemesthesis, and their impact on ingestive behaviors. Dr. Joseph's research spans preclinical, clinical, and translational studies aimed at enhancing the understanding, diagnosis, prevention, and management of chemosensory disorders, particularly in relation to metabolic disorders like obesity and brain diseases such as alcohol and substance use disorders. Notably, her recent investigations have extended to exploring the effects of COVID-19 on sensory experiences, showcasing her commitment to advancing knowledge in this critical area.
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TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

AI scientist, entrepreneur

Ramin Hasani
Ramin is the co-founder and CEO of Liquid AI and a machine learning Scientist at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Ramin’s research focuses on modeling intelligence and sequential decision-making. He co-invented liquid neural networks, a class of brain-inspired AI systems that can stay adaptable even after training. He received his Ph.D. degree with distinction in Computer Science from the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), Austria. He is a frequent TEDx Speaker.
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TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

Wildland firefighter

Royal Ramey
Royal Ramey is a seasoned professional with a robust background in firefighting and re-entry support for formerly incarcerated individuals. Serving as the Chief Program Officer of The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP), Royal, alongside partner Brandon Smith, has played a pivotal role in training and guiding over 3,000 currently and previously incarcerated individuals towards successful careers. Drawing from personal experiences post-incarceration, Royal is dedicated to dismantling barriers to entry in the firefighting sector, particularly for marginalized communities. With extensive experience as a wildland firefighter with the US Forest Service and CAL FIRE, Royal brings a unique perspective to the field, complemented by firefighting certifications and an Associate of Science in Fire Technology. Royal's mission is to reshape societal perceptions of individuals with records, emphasizing the potential for a brighter future through meaningful careers in critical sectors like wildland firefighting and forestry, essential in addressing the escalating climate crisis.
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TED Fellows 2024 Cohort

Composer, artistic director

Sahba Aminikia
Sahba Aminikia is an artist and composer whose work is deeply influenced by 12th-century Persian poetry, with compositions like "The Language of the Birds" reflecting themes of unity and human dissatisfaction. His music, a fusion of traditional, classical, and jazz elements, has garnered international acclaim and been performed globally, often in collaboration with prestigious ensembles such as the Kronos Quartet. Beyond his musical endeavors, Aminikia is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Flying Carpet Children Festival, a project dedicated to providing artistic experiences for children in conflict zones. Through Flying Carpet, he collaborates with world-class artists to create festivals that offer healing and artistic expression for vulnerable children affected by war, promoting peace, harmony, and cultural opportunities in communities facing adversity.
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2024
Cohort

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Fellows Directory

A global community of over 500 remarkable individuals who are collaborating across disciplines to spark future-shaping change.

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Fellows Talks

We’ve organized Fellows talks into curated playlists to make it easier to find content you’re interested in.

TED Fellows impact at a glance

Change that gets noticed

200M

200M people impacted by Fellows work annually

451M

451M TED Talk views

2,234

2,234 articles published by/about Fellows per year

1,303

1,303 speaking engagements each year

234

234 businesses launched

The groundbreaking work of a TED Fellow does not stay in the shadows. Each year we study the impact Fellows have on their respective fields, as measured by tangible forms of recognition. Here are some highlights from the past few years.

Our purpose

What makes a TED Fellow?

TED Fellows are some of the brightest, most ambitious thinkers, future-shapers and culture-shakers from nearly every discipline and corner of the world.

Whether it’s discovering new galaxies, leading social movements or making waves in environmental conservation, with the support of TED, Fellows are dedicated to making the world a better place through their innovative work. In 2024 the program will shift to a nomination-based application process.

Qualifications

We look for the proximate emerging leaders working on-the-ground on world-changing ideas -- the doers, makers, inventors, technologists, filmmakers and photographers, musicians and artists, educators, scientists, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and human rights activists. Here is what we look for in a TED Fellow:

1

Emerging leaders. We focus our efforts on individuals who are in the earlier phases of their career, those who have a track record of excellence but have not received a numerous other fellowships and accolades. We search for those who are not already on the global stage.

2

Originality and authenticity. We look for proximate leaders with a unique approach to solving humanity’s greatest challenges. We look for the people working on-the-ground on world-changing ideas, putting ideas into action.

3

Kind, collaborative character. We look for individuals who have an early track record of great work in their field. We look for individuals from all disciplines, who have collaborative, kind personalities. Many Fellows claim that the community of other Fellows is the most valuable aspect of the fellowship. We try to nurture this collaborative spirit in the community.

4

Poised to grow. Since this is not a granting fellowship, we look for individuals who would best be able to use the TED community and this opportunity as a launching pad. The TED Fellowship is best for candidates who are prepared to grow with TED’s forms of support: amplification, network-building, communication training, professional development coaching and mentoring.