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Crowdsourcing, Design Thinking, Innovation, Marketing, Social Innovation, Social Media, Storytelling, community, entrepreneurship, technology

2009

China

Election innovator // Gaurav Mishra help organizations and changemakers use design, technology and community to craft better futures. Gaurav is currently working on FutureCrafting, which helps early adopters use technology to make more intentional choices, grow more positive habits, and become their best self. Previously, Gaurav studied at IIM Bangalore, held senior marketing roles at the Tata Group, taught social media at Georgetown University as the 2008-09 Yahoo! Fellow, launched Ushahidi-based crowd-sourced election monitoring platform Vote Report India, co-founded social business consulting firm 2020 Social (acquired by Publicis Groupe), and created global insights and innovation offerings for MSLGROUP/ Publicis Groupe. Gaurav is widely considered to a leading writer, speaker and maker at the intersection of crowd co-creation and social innovation. He has written and edited book chapters, reports, op-eds, a weekly newspaper column, a quarterly magazine, and an award-winning blog. He has spoken at conferences, guest lectured at universities, led workshops for clients, joined award juries, and coached entrepreneurs all over the world. He has helped create a crowdsourcing software, a social analytics software, and a social curation software, apart from several crowdsourcing-driven social platforms for clients. Gaurav has been a 2008-09 Yahoo! Fellow, a 2009 SNCR Fellow, a 2009 TED Fellow, and a 2013-14 THNK participant. // Gaurav Mishra help organizations and changemakers use design, technology and community to craft better futures. Gaurav is currently working on FutureCrafting, which helps early adopters use technology to make more intentional choices, grow more positive habits, and become their best self. Previously, Gaurav studied at IIM Bangalore, held senior marketing roles at the Tata Group, taught social media at Georgetown University as the 2008-09 Yahoo! Fellow, launched Ushahidi-based crowd-sourced election monitoring platform Vote Report India, co-founded social business consulting firm 2020 Social (acquired by Publicis Groupe), and created global insights and innovation offerings for MSLGROUP/ Publicis Groupe. Gaurav is widely considered to a leading writer, speaker and maker at the intersection of crowd co-creation and social innovation. He has written and edited book chapters, reports, op-eds, a weekly newspaper column, a quarterly magazine, and an award-winning blog. He has spoken at conferences, guest lectured at universities, led workshops for clients, joined award juries, and coached entrepreneurs all over the world. He has helped create a crowdsourcing software, a social analytics software, and a social curation software, apart from several crowdsourcing-driven social platforms for clients. Gaurav has been a 2008-09 Yahoo! Fellow, a 2009 SNCR Fellow, a 2009 TED Fellow, and a 2013-14 THNK participant. // Gaurav Mishra help organizations and changemakers use design, technology and community to craft better futures. Gaurav is currently working on FutureCrafting, which helps early adopters use technology to make more intentional choices, grow more positive habits, and become their best self. Previously, Gaurav studied at IIM Bangalore, held senior marketing roles at the Tata Group, taught social media at Georgetown University as the 2008-09 Yahoo! Fellow, launched Ushahidi-based crowd-sourced election monitoring platform Vote Report India, co-founded social business consulting firm 2020 Social (acquired by Publicis Groupe), and created global insights and innovation offerings for MSLGROUP/ Publicis Groupe. Gaurav is widely considered to a leading writer, speaker and maker at the intersection of crowd co-creation and social innovation. He has written and edited book chapters, reports, op-eds, a weekly newspaper column, a quarterly magazine, and an award-winning blog. He has spoken at conferences, guest lectured at universities, led workshops for clients, joined award juries, and coached entrepreneurs all over the world. He has helped create a crowdsourcing software, a social analytics software, and a social curation software, apart from several crowdsourcing-driven social platforms for clients. Gaurav has been a 2008-09 Yahoo! Fellow, a 2009 SNCR Fellow, a 2009 TED Fellow, and a 2013-14 THNK participant. // Election innovator // technology, social innovation, crowdsourcing, innovation, design, entrepreneurship, social media, led, design thinking, storytelling, monitoring, software, community, marketing // Shanghai|China

Shanghai|China

Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Media Production, Mobile Applications, Music & Comedy Management, Product Management, Technology & Open Source

2009

Canada

Visvesvaraya Technological University; The Raghu Dixit Project; All Things Small; The Random Lines; Institute for Canadian Citizenship / Institut pour la citoyenneté canadienne (ICC); Innoz Technologies Pvt.Ltd; Sublime's Teaching for Artistic Innovation (TFAI); Only Much Louder; Citrix R&D India

The organization, All Things Small, is a media company focused on sharing true stories from India to a global audience. They specialize in curating and producing engaging non-fiction content from the Indian subcontinent across various platforms. The co-founder is currently based in Toronto, Canada, and can be contacted via email or phone. // My latest and current career iteration is as the co-founder of a true-stories focussed media company called All Things Small (https://allthingssmall.in). At All Things Small (ATS), we find and produce the best, most compelling non-fiction from the Indian subcontinent, in a variety of formats and on every platform imaginable. I work as the COO of the company as well as head the audio production division for the company. We have currently produced over 10 critically acclaimed podcasts including commissioned Spotify Original audio podcasts, and podcasts for the BBC, Luminary, Audible and brands like Microsoft and the Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL cricket team. ATS also produces long form journalism on our platform 52 (https://fiftytwo.in) and are working with multiple production studios, both in India and in Hollywood to produce our original long form video shows and movies. We are currently in the middle of producing our first true crime multi-episode documentary series for Netflix India that is due on the platform in 2023. In early 2022, ATS merged with Rainshine Entertainment (https://www.rainshine.com/) where I continue to lead audio production, long form content production and Rainshine’s new blockchain initiatives. // Visvesvaraya Technological University; The Raghu Dixit Project; All Things Small; The Random Lines; Institute for Canadian Citizenship / Institut pour la citoyenneté canadienne (ICC); Innoz Technologies Pvt.Ltd; Sublime's Teaching for Artistic Innovation (TFAI); Only Much Louder; Citrix R&D India // Gaurav Vaz is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in media production and content creation. Currently serving as the COO and head of audio production at All Things Small, a media company specializing in non-fiction storytelling from the Indian subcontinent, Gaurav has played a pivotal role in producing over 10 critically acclaimed podcasts for various platforms including Spotify Originals, BBC, and Audible. With a keen eye for compelling narratives, Gaurav oversees the production of long-form journalism on the platform 52 and collaborates with production studios in India and Hollywood to create original video shows and movies. His recent merger with Rainshine Entertainment has further expanded his role to include leading audio production, long-form content creation, and spearheading new blockchain initiatives within the organization. // Gaurav Vaz is a seasoned professional in media production and content creation, currently serving as the COO and head of audio production at All Things Small. With a diverse background, Gaurav has been instrumental in producing over 10 critically acclaimed podcasts for platforms like Spotify Originals, BBC, and Audible. Specializing in non-fiction storytelling from the Indian subcontinent, he curates engaging narratives and oversees the production of long-form journalism on the platform 52. Gaurav collaborates with production studios in India and Hollywood to create original video shows and movies, showcasing his expertise in creating compelling content across various media platforms. His recent merger with Rainshine Entertainment has expanded his role to include leading audio production, long-form content creation, and driving new blockchain initiatives within the organization. // Developer + musical entpreneur // I have varied interests ranging from music to technology to media to sport and I do my best to keep myself active in all these areas. I am currently the Director for OML Digital, a division of Only Much Louder (OML - http://oml.in) which aims to create products and offer services that target the Indian entertainment industry especially the Indian Indie music scene. Music has always been second nature to me but it became a serious career only late last year when I quit my IT career to pursue music and music business full time! I started out as a rock musician with my college band ‘Phenom’ and from there moved to more solo sessions as a serenader at restaurants to trying various interesting opportunities in Music like singing telegrams etc. For the past 4 years, I have been playing the bass guitar with “The Raghu Dixit Project” (http://raghudixit.com), an Indo-World-Folk-Rock band with a very fresh and original sound. Since the release of our first album 2 years back, the band is counted as one of the most popular bands in its genre in the country. I work with the CAUSE Foundation, Bangalore and am part of the musicals that they stage every year in Bangalore. I have been working with them as a Music Director for the past 2 years. I am currently working with 2 more music projects, a band called ‘Allegro Fudge’ (http://allegrofudge.com) which is working on its debut EP and another project tentatively titled ‘The Fear of Missing Out’. I also play sessions bass guitar for various jingles and recently with Raghu Dixit for his debut Kannada movie score which was quite the rage all over Karnataka. I graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering from PESIT, Bangalore (Part of the Vishveshwaraya Technological University) and from there joined NetScaler (which then became Citrix) as a software developer. I then moved into some other domains in the company before finally settling down with Technical Writing. I currently head OML Digital, a venture by the Bombay based ‘Only Much Louder’ (http://oml.in) that aims at creating products and providing services to the Indian entertainment industry. Our first product, NH7 (still being developed) is a one stop portal for Indian Indie music that will effectively integrate the active Offline music scene with the Internet effectively! I was drawn to the Internet and its ability to manifest itself as a publishing platform and more importantly, an alternative platform to mass media quite early in my career and thus, a lot of my thinking and beliefs are moulded around it. This originally manifested itself in the journal I began to maintain online for about 5 years which I largely used for publicity for my band. My understanding of the entire New Media space took a huge leap forward, when “Phenom”, my band released our first EP (extended play) on the Internet for free under the Creative Common’s license. From there, I joined a friend of mine and started what was then, the first of its kind Online Radio station (http://radioverve.com) which focussed only of Independent Indian Music. Today, RadioVeRVe is a very popular name in the Online Radio Scene in India. I am currently involved in the creation of Fuzzbox (http://fuzzbox.in), a first of its kind, aggregator of short and long form content (both audio and video) that specifically targets the Internet and Mobile as channels of distribution. // I have varied interests ranging from music to technology to media to sport and I do my best to keep myself active in all these areas. I am currently the Director for OML Digital, a division of Only Much Louder (OML - http://oml.in) which aims to create products and offer services that target the Indian entertainment industry especially the Indian Indie music scene. Music Music has always been second nature to me but it became a serious career only late last year when I quit my IT career to pursue music and music business full time! I started out as a rock musician with my college band ‘Phenom’ and from there moved to more solo sessions as a serenader at restaurants to trying various interesting opportunities in Music like singing telegrams etc. For the past 4 years, I have been playing the bass guitar with “The Raghu Dixit Project†(http://raghudixit.com), an Indo-World-Folk-Rock band with a very fresh and original sound. Since the release of our first album 2 years back, the band is counted as one of the most popular bands in its genre in the country. I work with the CAUSE Foundation, Bangalore and am part of the musicals that they stage every year in Bangalore. I have been working with them as a Music Director for the past 2 years. I am currently working with 2 more music projects, a band called ‘Allegro Fudge’ (http://allegrofudge.com) which is working on its debut EP and another project tentatively titled ‘The Fear of Missing Out’. I also play sessions bass guitar for various jingles and recently with Raghu Dixit for his debut Kannada movie score which was quite the rage all over Karnataka. Technology / Entrepreneurship I graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering from PESIT, Bangalore (Part of the Vishveshwaraya Technological University) and from there joined NetScaler (which then became Citrix) as a software developer. I then moved into some other domains in the company before finally settling down with Technical Writing. I currently head OML Digital, a venture by the Bombay based ‘Only Much Louder’ (http://oml.in) that aims at creating products and providing services to the Indian entertainment industry. Our first product, NH7 (still being developed) is a one stop portal for Indian Indie music that will effectively integrate the active Offline music scene with the Internet effectively! We are also working with various companies and bands to help grow and maintain their online presence Media I was drawn to the Internet and its ability to manifest itself as a publishing platform and more importantly, an alternative platform to mass media quite early in my career and thus, a lot of my thinking and beliefs are moulded around it. This originally manifested itself in the journal I began to maintain online for about 5 years which I largely used for publicity for my band. My understanding of the entire New Media space took a huge leap forward, when “Phenomâ€, my band released our ï¬rst EP (extended play) on the Internet for free under the Creative Common’s license. From there, I joined a friend of mine and started what was then, the ï¬rst of its kind Online Radio station (http://radioverve.com) which focussed only of Independent Indian Music. Today, RadioVeRVe is a very popular name in the Online Radio Scene in India. I am currently involved in the creation of Fuzzbox (http://fuzzbox.in), a first of its kind, aggregator of short and long form content (both audio and video) that specifically targets the Internet and Mobile as channels of distribution. // Gaurav Vaz is a seasoned professional in media production and content creation, currently serving as the COO and head of audio production at All Things Small. With a diverse background, Gaurav has been instrumental in producing over 10 critically acclaimed podcasts for platforms like Spotify Originals, BBC, and Audible. Specializing in non-fiction storytelling from the Indian subcontinent, he curates engaging narratives and oversees the production of long-form journalism on the platform 52. Gaurav collaborates with production studios in India and Hollywood to create original video shows and movies, showcasing his expertise in creating compelling content across various media platforms. His recent merger with Rainshine Entertainment has expanded his role to include leading audio production, long-form content creation, and driving new blockchain initiatives within the organization. // Developer + musical entpreneur // technology, open source, mobile phones, music, product manager, nature, entrepreneurship, science, blockchain, mobile applications, media producer, podcast producer, documentary, software, comedy, artist manager, mining // India|Bangalore|Ontario|Toronto|Canada

India|Bangalore|Ontario|Toronto|Canada

Copyright, Entrepreneurship and Startup Management, Food Processing, Law, New things, Social Media, non-profits, technology

2009

India

Entrepreneur + educator // I started out as a lawyer with a focus on Intellectual Property laws. Post that, I have been an entrepreneur in the food industry, an agriculturalist, of sorts, worked as a small wheel in the cogs of a large company and now work with non-profits in the fields of education and publishing. I work at the <a href="http://akshara.org.in/" target="_blank">Akshara Foundation</a> where I helped build and lead the <a href="http://klp.org.in/" target="_blank">Karnataka Learning Partnership</a> project, which is a technology based transparency and accountability project that creates leverage, policy and advocacy output in the public education space. I also lead Akshara's data and technology functions and work on organizational strategy. Previously, I worked at <a href="http://prathambooks.org/" target="_blank">Pratham Books</a> where I built their community and social media strategy and an <a href="http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Case_Studies/Pratham_Books" target="_blank">open source children's book publishing model</a>. Currently, I am an advisor to <a href="http://www.prathambooks.org/" target="_blank">Pratham Books</a>, <a href="http://inclusiveplanet.org.in/" target="_blank">Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability and Policy</a>, <a href="http://www.stireducation.org/" target="_blank">STIR Education</a> in India and <a href="http://www.cltindia.org/" target="_blank">Children’s Lovecastles Trust</a>. During this time, I have also been fortunate to advise a few small startups in the legal, food and social entrepreneurship spaces and have been a <a href="http://wiki.wikimedia.in/Past_EC_Members" target="_blank">founding board member</a> of the <a href="http://wiki.wikimedia.in/About_us" target="_blank">Wikimedia India Chapter</a>. My passion is 'access' as applied to knowledge and information. // I started out as a lawyer with a focus on Intellectual Property Laws. Post that, I have been an entrepreneur in the food industry, an agriculturalist of sorts, worked as a small wheel in the cogs of a large company and now work in the non-profit field within the folds of education and publishing. During this time, I have also been fortunate to advise a few small startups in the legal, food and social entrepreneurship space. // I started out as a lawyer with a focus on Intellectual Property Laws. Post that, I have been an entrepreneur in the food industry, an agriculturalist of sorts, worked as a small wheel in the cogs of a large company and now work in the non-profit field within the folds of education and publishing. During this time, I have also been fortunate to advise a few small startups in the legal, food and social entrepreneurship space. // Entrepreneur + educator // technology, non-profits, education, entrepreneurship, copyright, food processing, data, entrepreneurship and startup management, inclusion, social media, policy, public policy and advocacy, food industry, public policy, open source, new things, advocacy, transparency, food, law, accountability // Bangalore|Bengaluru|India|Karnataka

Bangalore|Bengaluru|India|Karnataka

Data Science, Data Visualization, Digital Entertainment, Game Design, Public Engagement, Software Development, Storytelling, Technology, Wildlife Conservation

2022

Kenya

Internet of Elephants is an organization dedicated to rekindling relationships between people and wildlife and transforming conservation support. They utilize real scientific data on individual animals to create engaging digital experiences, such as games and gamified data visualizations. Through partnerships with various institutions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, they aim to involve the public in wildlife conservation efforts. Their focus on leveraging technology, storytelling, and play to inspire the protection of wildlife sets them apart in the conservation space. // I am trying to change the way the public engages with wildlife and conservation by using digital tools such as games to deliver planetary stories. Through creating a bottom-up, citizen-driven movement for the environment, we hope to influence the way people buy, vote, and donate for a healthier planet. // Gautam Shah is the founder of Internet of Elephants, an organization at the forefront of transforming conservation support by rekindling connections between people and wildlife. Through innovative use of real scientific data on individual animals, they develop engaging digital experiences like games and gamified data visualizations. By collaborating with esteemed institutions such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Internet of Elephants aims to actively involve the public in wildlife conservation efforts. Gautam's focus on utilizing technology, storytelling, and play to inspire wildlife protection represents a unique approach in the conservation field, with a vision to drive positive change in how society interacts with and supports environmental causes. // Games conservationist // Gautam is the founder of Internet of Elephants, a social enterprise with a mission to change the way the world engages with wildlife and its conservation. He got to this place by combining a long career in IT consulting, mostly at Accenture, where he led large systems delivery projects, with a deep love for animals and a passion for wildlife. Gautam never intended to be an entrepreneur, but now he's in charge of a company that makes playful games and mesmerizing digital experiences about wildlife and gets them to the world in creative ways. Leading a team to catalyze a whole new approach to telling wildlife stories is the only job he will ever want. Gautam believes that games and digital experiences can and should make a huge difference in wildlife conservation his objective is to speed up that reality and do it right. He is always happy to chat with other individuals or organizations in the conservation, game, media, or corporate world that are interested in wildlife, whether its to think about a potential great collaboration, or just to geek out on gibbons and leafy sea dragons. Gautam is a National Geographic Fellow and when the magazine did a full page feature on him, his parents finally understood why he decided to do what he did. His company, Internet of Elephants, was selected as a Fast Company Most Innovative Company in 2018 and has been featured in CNN, BBC, TechCrunch and even GQ and Runners World of all places. He lives in Nanyuki, Kenya with his wife and daughter. // Technologist and TED Fellow Gautam Shah invites us to imagine how the metaverse could redefine the relationships between humans and other species. By giving individual wild animals a personal identity (such as Fio, a young orangutan in Borneo, or Mweituria, an elephant living in Kenya) and sharing data on their migration, milestones and habitats, Shah thinks we could empathize with wildlife in a whole new way. Learn more about how emerging technology could bring us closer to the natural world -- and what the connections we build there could mean for the future of the planet. // Gautam Shah is the founder of Internet of Elephants, an organization at the forefront of transforming conservation support by rekindling connections between people and wildlife. Through innovative use of real scientific data on individual animals, they develop engaging digital experiences like games and gamified data visualizations. By collaborating with esteemed institutions such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Internet of Elephants aims to actively involve the public in wildlife conservation efforts. Gautam's focus on utilizing technology, storytelling, and play to inspire wildlife protection represents a unique approach in the conservation field, with a vision to drive positive change in how society interacts with and supports environmental causes. // Games conservationist // technology, architecture, led, storytelling, data, digital entertainment, research, design, tech for wildlife, public engagement, species, wildlife protection, orangutans, emerging technology, migration, wildlife, data visualization, data science, elephant, wildlife conservation, conservation, software development, science, game design, environmental conservation, software // Nanyuki|Kenya|Laikipia County

Nanyuki|Kenya|Laikipia County

Youth Crime, Youth Culture, Youth Marketing, Youth Projects, Youth at-risk, Youth engagement and citizenship

2010

Canada

Urban Youth Activist // Creator & Writer Gavin Sheppard is a 2010 TED Fellow, a 2010 Vital People award recipient from the Toronto Community Foundation and a 2011 Yale World Fellow. He is most popularly known as co-founder and CEO of the internationally award winning arts and cultural incubator, The Remix Project in Toronto, Canada. Professionally involved in community development and the cultural industries since the age of 17, Gavin has served as a board member for Schools Without Borders, the Chair of the Youth Organizing Committee with the Laidlaw Foundation – as well as Recording Artist & Producer management to Rochester aka Juice (Maple Music/Universal Canada) and Tone Mason Inc. A consultant for countless artists, producers, and companies throughout Canada involved in hip-hop & cultural industries, Gavin has used his insights gained from life experiences to tell stories and act as a strong advocate for both young people and the arts throughout the world. Speaking regularly at venues as diverse as conferences for UN Habitat and the Organization of American States to more comfortably on street corners across slums, barrios and favelas around the world, Gavin has been hurtling between worlds for over a decade. A member of Toronto Mayor Miller’s community safety secretariat (2006-2010) and a co-founder of the Grassroots Youth Collaborative (GYC) and the South Etobicoke Youth Assembly (SEYA) – in 2009 Gavin was asked to accompany Governor General Michaelle Jean on state visits to Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica – touring community projects and sharing intimate meals with world leaders grappling with the social issues of the day. Both on the frontlines of community organizing across the hemisphere and in the backrooms with the political elite, Gavin’s life experiences help inform the stories he tells. // Gavin Sheppard belongs to a class of people that skipped class. // Gavin Sheppard belongs to a class of people that skipped class. // Urban Youth Activist // community projects, youth engagement and citizenship, youth engagement, grassroots, youth crime, youth projects, youth marketing, youth, youth culture, community development, youth organizing, advocacy, community organizing, at risk youth, youth at-risk, slum, habitat // Ontario|Toronto|Canada

Ontario|Toronto|Canada

Ancient DNA, Ancient rock art, Cave Art, Cognitive Evolution, Data Collection, Development of symbolic behaviour, European Ice Age Studies, Origins of mankind, Paleoanthropology, Research in Prehistoric Cultures

2011, 2013

Canada

TED Conferences; National Geographic Society; Simon and Schuster; University of Victoria

The organization described in the provided text is YouTube. YouTube is a platform that allows users to discover, watch, and share videos and other content. It serves as a forum for global connection, information sharing, and inspiration. Users can create accounts, watch videos, upload content, and manage channels. The platform offers various services such as YouTube Kids, the YouTube Partner Program, and YouTube Paid Memberships. Users can access the service with or without a Google account and can adjust privacy settings to control data collection. YouTube collects information about users' activity, devices, and interactions to provide personalized experiences and improve services. The organization also provides tools for managing privacy settings, controlling ads, and accessing and deleting personal information. YouTube emphasizes security and data protection, using strong security features to safeguard user information. The organization shares information with trusted partners for processing and complies with legal requirements for data disclosure. YouTube offers various resources for users, including Help Center, Community Help Forum, and Current Site Issues page for bug reporting. Users can contact YouTube for inquiries, abuse issues, security concerns, copyright infringement notices, and participation in programs like the YouTube Partner Program and Content ID. // The First Signs: Unlocking the Mysteries of the World's Oldest Symbols // TED Conferences; National Geographic Society; Simon and Schuster; University of Victoria // Genevieve von Petzinger is a researcher and author known for her work in deciphering the world's oldest symbols. Her expertise lies in exploring the significance and patterns of ancient symbols, shedding light on the early human communication systems. Through her research and publications, such as "The First Signs: Unlocking the Mysteries of the World's Oldest Symbols," she has contributed significantly to the understanding of prehistoric art and its cultural implications. Genevieve's work delves into the origins of human symbolism, offering valuable insights into our ancestors' cognitive development and societal structures. // I am a Paleoanthropologist and I study ancient cave art as a way to get inside the minds of our ancestors. I am fascinated by the question of "when did we become us?" and art offers a fascinating window into these distant minds. It gives us a peek at how they understood themselves and the world around them, and how this understanding expanded into self-awareness and culture. I would argue that the invention of graphic marks was as important as the invention of fire and stone tools. Our entire modern world relies on these visual communication systems. I am also passionate about sharing what I have learned about our collective history with my fellow Homo sapiens and I want to preserve as much of it as we can while we can in the form of a global database with my new ONEart project. My long-term goal is to inspire and empower cultural heritage partners around the world as we work together to build a digital storehouse of ancient art as a legacy for humanity. // Genevieve von Petzinger is a renowned researcher and author specializing in the study of ancient symbols, particularly focusing on deciphering the world's oldest symbols. Through her work, including the publication "The First Signs: Unlocking the Mysteries of the World's Oldest Symbols," she has made significant contributions to understanding prehistoric art and early human communication systems. Genevieve's expertise lies in exploring the patterns and significance of ancient symbols, offering valuable insights into the cognitive development and societal structures of our ancestors. She is dedicated to shedding light on the origins of human symbolism and sharing her knowledge to enhance our understanding of ancient cultures and their visual communication systems. // Paleoanthropologist + rock art researcher // Genevieve von Petzinger is a third year PhD student in the department of Anthropology at the University of Victoria. Her main area of interest is European Ice Age rock art, in particular the geometric imagery, and how we can use this type of behaviour to identify cognitive and symbolic evolution in modern humans, as well as look for patterns of migration and cultural borrowing. Her work was featured as the cover of New Scientist in 2010, Science Illustrated in 2011 and she has also appeared on the Discovery Channel's Daily Planet show, along with doing quite a few radio and print interviews about her research. Genevieve does a lot of outreach work in Canada, and regularly gives public talks for adult community groups as well as going into schools to talk about archaeology and encourage kids to pursue their academic dreams. // Genevieve von Petzinger is a PhD student studying European Ice Age rock art (10,000–40,000 years ago) at the University of Victoria in Canada. Genevieve’s previous research in France included creating the first full typology of abstract rock art (30 distinct signs have been identified to date), and building the largest database of geometric imagery in the world (146 sites with over 5,000 separate images). She found that many of the signs remained in use for over 20,000 years, and appeared throughout a broad geographic region. This continuity suggests the signs were being used with purpose and were meaningful to their creators. It also implies that this could be a very early form of graphic communication. Genevieve’s current work includes expanding her database to incorporate all other Ice Age rock art sites in Europe, and exploring the cognitive and symbolic capacity of our distant ancestors. // Written language, the hallmark of human civilization, didn't just suddenly appear one day. Thousands of years before the first fully developed writing systems, our ancestors scrawled geometric signs across the walls of the caves they sheltered in. Paleoanthropologist, rock art researcher and TED Senior Fellow Genevieve von Petzinger has studied and codified these ancient markings in caves across Europe. The uniformity of her findings suggest that graphic communication, and the ability to preserve and transmit messages beyond a single moment in time, may be much older than we think. // Genevieve von Petzinger is a renowned researcher and author specializing in the study of ancient symbols, particularly focusing on deciphering the world's oldest symbols. Through her work, including the publication "The First Signs: Unlocking the Mysteries of the World's Oldest Symbols," she has made significant contributions to understanding prehistoric art and early human communication systems. Genevieve's expertise lies in exploring the patterns and significance of ancient symbols, offering valuable insights into the cognitive development and societal structures of our ancestors. She is dedicated to shedding light on the origins of human symbolism and sharing her knowledge to enhance our understanding of ancient cultures and their visual communication systems. // Paleoanthropologist + rock art researcher // ancient rock art, data collection, fire, data, research, development of symbolic behaviour, paleoanthropology, geometric signs, origins of writing, migration, disclosures, european ice age, ice age, cognitive evolution, origins of mankind, ancient dna, stone age, prehistoric culture, science, law, communication, cave art // Victoria|Canada|British Columbia

Victoria|Canada|British Columbia

AI, Biotechnology, Data Analysis, Genomics, Infectious Disease, Machine Learning, Medicine, Microbiology, Nanotechnology, RNA Research, Sustainable Manufacturing, Synthetic Biology

2014

United States

Sedna Genome, Inc.; University of Notre Dame; Dartmouth College; Seattle Biomedical Research Institute; Sedna.bio; Egerton University; IBM; Saguaro Capital Management; Tafuta (User Generated Search Engine); Anza Bio; Next Einstein Forum (NEF); Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; Sayansia; IBM Research; Singularity University; Michigan Medicine

Siwo Research focuses on leveraging AI and computational approaches to gain fundamental insights into biology, speeding up drug discovery, clinical medicine, and promoting health equity. // Geoffrey Siwo is a Computational Biologist with a passion for technology, history, and creating things from scratch. He enjoys playing soccer, exploring the intersection of history and technology, visiting local coffee shops, going for walks, and engaging in hands-on activities with his sons. Geoffrey values humility, thoughtful expression, and prioritizing diverse perspectives in technology design. With a background in Biological Sciences and Biomedical Science, he is an expert in Genomic medicine, systems biology, RNA science, drug discovery, innate immunity, cancer biology, global health, AI/machine learning, and natural language processing. Geoffrey is a Research Assistant Professor at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, and has been recognized as a TED Fellow and Next Einstein Forum Fellow. He believes in the transformative power of technology when designed to benefit everyone and emphasizes the importance of community support and care for loved ones. // Accelerating discovery & sustainable manufacturing of therapeutics using nature’s ingenuity augmented with AI // Accelerating discovery & sustainable manufacturing of therapeutics using nature’s ingenuity augmented with AI // Developing the United Genomes Project- the first open source genetic database for African populations comprising an education and open innovation platform for solving genomic medicine challenges. www.unitedgenomes.org // Research Scientist, IBM Research-Africa, South Africa LabGenomics Specialist, IBM TJ Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, New York // Reverse Engineering Genetic NetworksLeveraging Community Intelligence for Systems Biology Models // Computational Design of T-cell Antigens for Malaria at the Malaria Antigen Discovery Group.Implementing machine learning methods in the experimentally intractable malaria parasite liver stage forms for gene dicovery // Developing the United Genomes Project- a cloud based computational resource for genomic medicine research, education and open innovation, especially in African populations. www.unitedgenomes.org // A Team developing a Human Computation Platform that leverages symbiotic human-computer interaction for Drug Discovery, Nanotechnology and 3D Problem Solving: Founded team, filed provisional patent application, secured funding and engaged private partners. // Part of a team working towards positively impacting a billion people in the next 10 years. // A user generated search engine and social network for the developing world. // // // Best performing model in the Dialogue for Reverse Engineering Assessments and Methods (DREAM6) promoter activity challenge that was aimed at predicting protein production levels of synthetic and natural genes using DNA sequence. // A graphical user interface for accessing text message (SMS) based information services such as banking, bills and web search without the need for numerous keywords or shortcodes // Sedna Genome, Inc.; University of Notre Dame; Dartmouth College; Seattle Biomedical Research Institute; Sedna.bio; Egerton University; IBM; Saguaro Capital Management; Tafuta (User Generated Search Engine); Anza Bio; Next Einstein Forum (NEF); Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; Sayansia; IBM Research; Singularity University; Michigan Medicine // Geoffrey Siwo is a research scientist with a focus on accelerating the discovery and sustainable manufacturing of therapeutics by integrating nature's ingenuity with AI. He has a background in genomics and has worked on projects like the United Genomes Project, an open-source genetic database for African populations. With experience at IBM Research in Africa and the United States, Geoffrey has expertise in reverse engineering genetic networks, computational design of T-cell antigens for diseases like malaria, and implementing machine learning methods in genomics research. He is also involved in developing innovative platforms for human-computer interaction in drug discovery and nanotechnology. // I am trying to change who, where and how science is conducted across the world so everyone can enjoy the benefits of science. I believe that the democratization of science and the abstraction of human challenges to information problems, humanity could accelerate scientific advances and make them more equitable. While my primary focus is especially on how this applies to human health, I believe its implications touch every facet of human needs and challenges in a fast, changing world. // Geoffrey Siwo is a Computational Biologist and Research Assistant Professor at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan. His research is centered on utilizing AI and computational methods to advance biological insights, expedite drug discovery, enhance clinical medicine, and advocate for health equity. With a background in Biological Sciences and Biomedical Science, Siwo is an expert in Genomic medicine, systems biology, RNA science, drug discovery, innate immunity, cancer biology, global health, AI/machine learning, and natural language processing. He has contributed significantly to projects like the United Genomes Project and has experience in reverse engineering genetic networks, computational design of T-cell antigens, and implementing machine learning in genomics research. Siwo is dedicated to democratizing science and leveraging technology to address human challenges across various domains, particularly in healthcare, with a vision to make scientific advances more accessible and equitable globally. // Systems biologist // Geoffrey Siwo is a computational biologist with key interests in the development of scalable solutions for genome medicine. As an undergraduate in Kenya, Geoffrey independently developed a novel hypothesis for HIV drug resistance through computational analysis of retrovirus-like sequences in the human genome, performing all the analysis at local internet cafes and later presenting the work at the American Society for Microbiology annual meeting on anti-microbial therapeutics. He has continued to pioneer the development of novel methods for decoding information in DNA including in 2014, developing the top solution for estimating human age from DNA (Innocentive Challenge 9933359) that uses DNA sequencing. In 2011, he developed the top computational model for predicting expression of natural and engineered yeast ribosomal genes using DNA sequences in the IBM led Dialogue for Reverse Engineering Assessments and Methods (DREAM) challenges. He leads the development of Fit2Cure- the first computer game that abstracts a fundamental step of drug discovery into a shape fitting game. He is a co-founder of Helix Nanotechnologies- a company developing a DNA based recording device that records information inside cells. He is currently based at Dartmouth Medical School where he is set to launch the first open source genetic database for African populations and educational platform for genome medicine. He holds a PhD degree in Biology from the University of Notre Dame and is the recipient of several awards including an IBM PhD scholarship and a Young Investigator Award from Sage Bioinetworks, a leading open science organization. // Geoffrey is currently a research assistant professor at the Center for Research Computing and the Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA. His research focuses on accelerated and equitable innovation using emerging computational technologies such as artificial intelligence, programmable biotechnologies such as CRISPR/Cas systems and frameworks for scientific discovery at a global scale such as open innovation challenges. Previously, he was a lead researcher at IBM Research Africa and a co-founder of Helix Nanotechnologies, a DNA nanotechnology company. His work has been featured in several media including CNN, USA Today, Fast Company, Ozy, among other media. // Geoffrey Siwo is a Computational Biologist and Research Assistant Professor at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan. His research is centered on utilizing AI and computational methods to advance biological insights, expedite drug discovery, enhance clinical medicine, and advocate for health equity. With a background in Biological Sciences and Biomedical Science, Siwo is an expert in Genomic medicine, systems biology, RNA science, drug discovery, innate immunity, cancer biology, global health, AI/machine learning, and natural language processing. He has contributed significantly to projects like the United Genomes Project and has experience in reverse engineering genetic networks, computational design of T-cell antigens, and implementing machine learning in genomics research. Siwo is dedicated to democratizing science and leveraging technology to address human challenges across various domains, particularly in healthcare, with a vision to make scientific advances more accessible and equitable globally. // Systems biologist // technology, education, led, data, machine learning, equity, medicine, infectious disease, research, coffee, microbiology, design, mining, open source, genomics, data analysis, biotech, data mining, nanotechnology, malaria, ai, synthetic biology, rna, science, sustainable factories, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, manufacturing // Brighton|USA|South Africa|New York|Michigan|South Bend|United States|Yorktown Heights|Indiana

Brighton|USA|South Africa|New York|Michigan|South Bend|United States|Yorktown Heights|Indiana

2025

UK

Biomedical Engineering, Data-Driven Health Systems, Electronic Medical Records, Health Technology Innovation, Informatics, Job Skills Training in Health Tech, Medical Devices

2009

Malawi

University of Pittsburgh

The Global Health Informatics Institute (GHII) focuses on improving healthcare delivery through the development of biomedical informatics interventions. They train the next generation of biomedical informaticians and engineers using a unique service learning approach to address global health issues. GHII offers career and internship opportunities, short courses, and a master's degree program in applied global health informatics. They also run initiatives like OpenO2 to repair oxygen concentrators and have an Electronics Club for technical professionals interested in electronics. GHII collaborates with partners to develop innovative solutions for healthcare challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance and efficient specimen collection. The organization values sustainability, innovation, capacity building, honesty, integrity, data-driven approaches, and respect. // The Oxygen Alliance is an organization dedicated to advocating for the maintenance and repair of biomedical equipment, particularly focusing on health systems strengthening in low- and middle-income countries. They work towards building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem by emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance to prevent malfunctions and extend the longevity of medical devices. The organization collaborates with various partners, including governments, biomedical engineers, NGOs, manufacturers, and academic institutions, to ensure the functionality and reliability of essential medical tools. Through initiatives like regular maintenance, repair, and knowledge exchange, they aim to enhance healthcare resilience and improve patient care. Additionally, they provide resources, training, and // University of Pittsburgh // At the root of my work I am trying to mentor and provide opportunities to you Malawian graduates working in the technology space by providing them with service-learning opportunities that address problems of global health importance. // Gerry Douglas is a dedicated individual who focuses on improving healthcare delivery through the development of biomedical informatics interventions. He is the founder of the Global Health Informatics Institute (GHII), which offers training programs and initiatives aimed at addressing global health issues. Through GHII, Gerry collaborates with partners to develop innovative solutions for healthcare challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance and efficient specimen collection. Additionally, he is involved in initiatives like OpenO2 to repair oxygen concentrators and leads an Electronics Club for technical professionals interested in electronics. Gerry's work emphasizes sustainability, innovation, capacity building, and data-driven approaches to enhance healthcare systems globally. // Health technologist // Gerry Douglas is the co-founder of Baobab Health, a nonprofit organization aimed at improving health care in the developing world through medical informatics. since 2000, Baobab has grown into a predominantly Malawian-run organization that has instituted the use of the touchscreen clinical workstation appliance, a low-power, robust and inexpensive device for putting technology into the hands of clinicians at point of care.<br /><br />Douglas holds a degree in computer science from the University of Victoria and a master's degree in Information Science. Douglas spends roughly four months of the year in Malawi, and is completing his PhD in Biomedical Informatics at the University of Pittsburgh. // Gerry Douglas is the founder of Baobab Health, a non-profit organization based in Malawi that is revolutionizing healthcare in lower-income countries. Baobab's cornerstone is using medical informatics to improve healthcare delivery in Malawian hospitals and clinics. Their cutting-edge touchscreen clinical workstation appliance has generated significant interest amongst the international healthcare community. By empowering clinicians with robust, low-power, inexpensive clinical workstations at the point of care, they have significantly decreased documentation errors and vastly improved continuity of care for the patients, particularly with HIV/AIDS. Baobab is committed to a philosophy of creating free and open source software and building in-country capacity to develop and support local systems. While currently operating solely in Malawi, Baobab provides technical support and knowledge transfer to international organizations working throughout the developing world. Mr. Douglas first came to Malawi in 1996, to organize medical data for the Ministry of Health. The issues he encountered spurred him to pursue graduate work in medical informatics, which involved significant field work. In 2000, he founded Baobab with his wife, a Peace Corps physician who was equally dedicated to improving healthcare in the developing world. Prior to Baobab, Gerry Douglas spent several years as an avionics technician in Canada. Gerry and his family split their time between Malawi and Pittsburgh, USA. He holds a Diploma in Electronics, BS (hons) in Computer Science from the University of Victoria, an MS in Information Science and a PhD in Biomedical Informatics from the University of Pittsburgh. // Gerry Douglas is a dedicated individual who focuses on improving healthcare delivery through the development of biomedical informatics interventions. He is the founder of the Global Health Informatics Institute (GHII), which offers training programs and initiatives aimed at addressing global health issues. Through GHII, Gerry collaborates with partners to develop innovative solutions for healthcare challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance and efficient specimen collection. Additionally, he is involved in initiatives like OpenO2 to repair oxygen concentrators and leads an Electronics Club for technical professionals interested in electronics. Gerry's work emphasizes sustainability, innovation, capacity building, and data-driven approaches to enhance healthcare systems globally. // Health technologist // technology, open source, health technology innovation, resilience, electronic medical record systems, science, data-driven, health systems strengthening, medical oxygen, medical devices, software, data, job skills training, global health informatics, biomedical engineering, capacity building // Pennsylvania|Central Region|Lilongwe|USA|Pittsburgh|Malawi

Pennsylvania|Central Region|Lilongwe|USA|Pittsburgh|Malawi

Businesses, Chocolate, Cocoa Industry, Economic Opportunity, Economics, Indigenous culture, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development & Farming

2021

Mexico

Universidad Tecnológica de la Mixteca; YLAI / Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative; University of Notre Dame; Oaxacanita chocolate; China Chamber of Commerce and Technology Mexico

The organization is focused on reviving Indigenous Mixtec cocoa traditions in Mexico through a chocolate business in one of the country's poorest regions. They have been recognized by various platforms for their work in combating inequality and promoting local self-reliance through chocolate production. Additionally, they have received awards for their leadership in the Mexican industry and have been acknowledged for their economic contributions to rural Mexico. // Devorador de tacos profesional. Innovador Social a través de Oaxacanita chocolate. Pensador Universal y Miembro de 4 Consejos Directivos de Organizaciones Internacionales. Licenciado en Ciencias Empresariales de la Universidad Tecnológica de la Mixteca con Diplomado en Liderazgo de la Universidad de Notre Dame. Graduado del programa GSBI Boost para el Desarrollo de Capacidades de Empresas Sociales del Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship de Sillicon Valley. Graduado del programa Mexican Alumni Capacity Building through Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership de la Embajada de Estados Unidos en México. Miembro: Consejo Directivo y Asociado Fundador de la Asociación de Chocolateros del Estado de Oaxaca A.C. Junta Asesora de YLAI. Red de Líderes de Facebook. 1MillionStartups firmante de la 1a Declaración de Emprendimiento Global de las Naciones Unidas. YouthActionNet. YouthLead de USAID y PEPFAR. Asociación Mexicana de Ex Becarios del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos de América. Kybernus. Premio Nacional al Desempeño de Excelencia EGEL-CENEVAL. Becario profesional YLAI (Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative) del US Department of State. Nombrado por el Ex Presidente Barack Obama como Joven Líder de las Américas. Premio UVM 2017 de la Universidad del Valle de México. Nombrado por The International Youth Foundation y Laureate como uno de los 20 mejores emprendedores sociales del mundo en el Global Laureate Fellows. Premio Razón de Ser 2019. Caso de éxito internacional de Facebook. Goula Award 2020, 2021 y 2023. TED Fellow 2021. YABT - TIC Americas Award de la OEA 2021. Young Founders Programme Westerwelle Foundation 2021. Caso de éxito de la World Intellectual Property Organization 2023. Promesa de los Negocios de la Revista Expansión 2023. Beneficiario: Programa para la Creación de Comunidades Creativas en Oaxaca del Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Programa Innovadores Emergentes de Ashoka y American Express. International Visitor Leadership Program del US State Department. ACCELERATE2030 de UNDP e Impact Hub. BBVA Momentum 2020. Trascender Irrazonable de Citibanamex y Unreasonable México. // Somos una chocolatería tradicional ubicada en el municipio de Villa de Tamazulápam del Progreso, Oaxaca. Nos encargamos de la producción de chocolate tradicional de la región Mixteca.Oaxacanita chocolate es un proyecto social fundado el 1° de mayo de 2015 que busca la reactivación de la economía local de la Mixteca Oaxaqueña mediante la contratación de cocineras tradicionales y amas de casa del pueblo de Villa de Tamazulápam del Progreso, Oaxaca, quienes se encargan de elaborar el más exquisito chocolate tradicional de la región.Adicionalmente, en Oaxacanita trabajamos en conjunto con artesanos de la palma de la Mixteca para la elaboración de algunos de nuestros envases y con esto poder contribuir a la compra de sus productos a un precio más justo que eleve el bienestar de este sector.Nuestro actuar ha sido integral y durante nuestro primer año, hemos logrado motivar a la siembra de árboles de cacao en Villa Putla de Guerrero, Oaxaca, con el fin de incrementar la producción de este fruto en el Estado. // La Cámara de Comercio y Tecnología México-China, es un organismo empresarial sin fines de lucro, que representa, promueve y defiende los intereses de sus asociados en:El comercio bilateral de bienes y servicios.El turismo.La industriaTecnología.El buen desarrollo de negocios en general. // Representante del ex alumnado del programa del Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos de América para la zona norte de América. // Universidad Tecnológica de la Mixteca; YLAI / Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative; University of Notre Dame; Oaxacanita chocolate; China Chamber of Commerce and Technology Mexico // Germán Santillán is a seasoned professional known for his innovative work in social entrepreneurship, particularly in the realm of Oaxacanita chocolate. With a background in Business Sciences and specialized training in leadership, Germán has been actively involved in various international organizations and advisory boards, showcasing his expertise as a strategic thinker and leader. He has received prestigious awards and recognitions for his outstanding contributions to the field, including being named a Young Leader of the Americas by former President Barack Obama. Germán's impact extends beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, as he has also been involved in programs aimed at fostering creativity, innovation, and sustainable development in communities, showcasing his commitment to social impact and positive change. // In a world that seems more connected and advanced but at the same time has a lots of inequalities, it is important that everyone can participate in the creation of solutions to have a better world. Indigenous cultures are too far from being part of the global community and that is the main reason I believe that some of the most pressing solutions for global problems are already practised by our originary towns in terms of sustainability, governance and social structures. We must hear them, learn from them, respect them and involve them to refresh our ideas of what is the "best" for the world. Probably what we think is ancient, is the future. // Germán Santillán is a distinguished figure in the realm of social entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on revitalizing Indigenous Mixtec cocoa traditions in Mexico through his Oaxacanita chocolate business. His innovative work has garnered recognition for combating inequality, promoting local self-reliance, and making significant economic contributions to rural Mexico. Germán's expertise in Business Sciences and leadership, coupled with his involvement in international organizations and advisory boards, underscores his strategic acumen and visionary leadership. Noteworthy accolades, including being named a Young Leader of the Americas by former President Barack Obama, attest to Germán's outstanding contributions to the field. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Germán is dedicated to fostering creativity, innovation, and sustainable development in communities, emphasizing his commitment to social impact and positive change. // Cultural chocolatier // Germán Santillán is a Social Entrepreneur - Taco Lover, Founder and CEO of Oaxacanita chocolate, social company that through the production of artisanal chocolate contributes to the social, economic and environmental development of proudly indigenous communities of the Mixtec Region of Oaxaca, the poorest region of Mexico. By the creation of a productive and a collaborative chain Germán's social company involves de work of cocoa farmers, traditional cooks and palm artisans who are involved from the cultivation of cocoa to the put in the market of the chocolate. Germán Santillán has a Business Science Degree by the Technological Univesity of the Mixtec (México) and a Leadership Diploma by the University of Notre Dame (USA). In 2016 Former President Barack Obama and the U.S. Government named Oaxacanita chocolate one of the best social projects of Latin America and the Caribbean in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative - YLAI, entrepreneurial initiative with impact in all the continent where Germán Santillán is a Former Alumni Advisory Board Member where he represented the North America region. Currently he is the only Alumni Advisory Leader for the Initiative in all the continent. In 2018 Germán Santillán and Oaxacanita chocolate were awarded with the Laureate Global Fellowship of the International Youth Foundation and Laureate International Universities considering the project as one of the best social entrepreneurial initiatives in the world and also becoming part of YouthActionNet. Germán Santillán is also Founder Member and Board Member of the Association of Chocolatiers of the State of Oaxaca, a non-profit that works for the boost of the chocolate industry in Oaxaca State and which represents more than 10 chocolate companies. As Oaxacanita chocolate develops its work in communities of rural Mexico, the need of social media and internet was very important to reach new costumers, this was the main reason the social company decided to focus their sales efforts via social media, principally Facebook. 4 years after this choice, Facebook selected Oaxacanita chocolate as its Succees Case Worldwide in the Facebook Communities Summit 2019. By 2021, Germán and Oaxacanita chocolate were the winners of the TIC Americas competition of the Young Americas Business Trust InnovAction Challenge, an initiative powered by the Organization of American States, the Summit Americas Secretariat and the Inter-American Foundation, putting the work of Oaxacanita chocolate as one of the best initiatives to solve the recovery of marginalized communities after COVID. He was invited by the Westwerwelle Foundation to be one of their 9 Global Ambassadors promoting entrepreneurship in emerging markets. By 2022, after preseting his first TED Talk in Monterey, California, Germán attended to TED2022 to give the "Farm to la Copa: a cacao experience" Discovery Session and also attended to TED2023 as Ambassador of the TED Fellows Program participating in the Re-Imagination process of the program Selected as the representant of Mexican Youth during the IX Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles and World Intellectual Property Organization success story. In 2024 he was considered a World Economic Forum UpLink Top Innovator and Next Gen Changemaker of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Oaxacanita chocolate's work and social impact has also been awarded by national organizations like the Premio UVM for the Social Development Award, the Premio Razón de Ser Award of Fundación Merced and the 3 Goula Awards, as Industry Leaders, by the Food Agency Goula. Thanks to the efforts of Germán's team they were a participants of the International Visitor Leadership Program - IVLP of the U.S. Department of State. Graduates of the GSBI Boost Program of the Miller Center of Social Entrepreneurship of the University of Santa Clara. Graduates of the Mexican Alumni Capacity Building through Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership Program of the U.S. Embassy Mexico. Graduates of the ACCELERATE 2030 Program named as one of the best 10 social companies of Mexico by the Impact Hub Monterrey, Impact Hub Geneva and the United Nations Development Program - UNDP. Particpants of BBVA Momentum Program and Trascender Irrazonable Program of Unreasonable Mexico and CitiBanamex. Oaxacanita chocolate is member of entrepreneurial organizations like 1MillionStartups where they sign the First Global Entrepreneurship Declaration at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO, of YouthLead of USAID and of the "Boost With Facebook" Leaders Network. Oaxacanita chocolate's work is part of the Premios Latinoamérica Verde Ranking as one of the best socioenvironmental projects of Latin America. Participant of the OC3 Program of the MIT D-Lab and Connector for Ashoka in Oaxaca State. Allies of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network - SDSN Youth Mexico . Part of the TOP 2030 of the International Youth Agency for Iberoamerica. Considered one of the 20 social projects that is changing Mexico by Entrepreneur Mexico Magazine and one of the Business Promises of Expansión Magazine. Germán's vision for a better world stands by the principle of "the best way to think of myself is to think of others" and they're core values are humillity, honesty, responsability, professionalism, order and transparency. // Dating back more than 800 years, chocolate is deeply woven into the Indigenous history of Oaxaca, Mexico. TED Fellow Germán Santillán talks about his work reviving the Mixtec technique used to prepare this ancient delicacy by training a new generation of local farmers -- helping create economic opportunity and preserve a delicious legacy at the same time. // Germán Santillán is a distinguished figure in the realm of social entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on revitalizing Indigenous Mixtec cocoa traditions in Mexico through his Oaxacanita chocolate business. His innovative work has garnered recognition for combating inequality, promoting local self-reliance, and making significant economic contributions to rural Mexico. Germán's expertise in Business Sciences and leadership, coupled with his involvement in international organizations and advisory boards, underscores his strategic acumen and visionary leadership. Noteworthy accolades, including being named a Young Leader of the Americas by former President Barack Obama, attest to Germán's outstanding contributions to the field. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Germán is dedicated to fostering creativity, innovation, and sustainable development in communities, emphasizing his commitment to social impact and positive change. // Cultural chocolatier // technology, entrepreneurship, industry leaders, storytelling, job skills training, marginalized communities, social entrepreneurship, economic opportunity, indigenous peoples, farming, sustainable development , leadership, indigenous culture, farmers, covid, economics, marginalized, youth, networking, cacao, businesses, transparency, rurality, rural, science, cocoa, food, governance, indigenous, government, industrial, inequality, chocolate, capacity building // Mexico|Villa de Tamazulápam del Progreso|Oaxaca

Mexico|Villa de Tamazul√°pam del Progreso|Oaxaca

Ecology, Environmental Education, Evolutionary Biology, Herpetology

2020

Canada

King cobra conservationist // I am a king cobra conservationist studying king cobras for two decades. MY WORK: My Ph.D. study reconstructs the biogeographic history of king cobras in Southeast Asia demarcating them into more than one species. I regularly rescue king cobras from distress situations which helps both humans and the king cobra. I conduct specialized workshops called Scientific Training On Reptile Management(STORM) and the King Cobra Bionomics for varied audiences to create awareness and garner support for king cobra conservation. PUBLICATIONS: I have authored and co-authored 15 peer-reviewed scientific papers on king cobras where six were part of a special issue for the 'Hamadryad', a herpetological journal. WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARIES My work has been documented most recently in a wildlife documentary titled, 'Cobra King' on NatGeoWild and Smithsonian Channels respectively. I also feature in wildlife documentaries like the King Cobra and I, Secrets of the King Cobra, One million snake bites, Asia's deadliest snakes, Wildest India, Wild India and Mysteries of Wild India by channels like the BBC, Discovery, NatGeo Wild, Animal Planet, Smithsonian and the National Geographic Channel. ORGANIZATIONS I run two organizations-Kalinga Centre for Rainforest Ecology and Kalinga Foundation (named 'Kaalinga' i.e. king cobra in Kannada) which are an environmental education company and a non-profit organization respectively. Both organizations are based out of Agumbe, Karnataka, India. // A king cobra has enough venom to kill 10 people in a single bite. Recounting his near-death experience after being bitten by one of these majestic yet deadly snakes, conservationist and TED Fellow Gowri Shankar shares the epiphany he had when the antivenom failed: there's more than one unique species of king cobra. // I am a king cobra conservationist studying king cobras for two decades. MY WORK: My Ph.D. study reconstructs the biogeographic history of king cobras in Southeast Asia demarcating them into more than one species. I regularly rescue king cobras from distress situations which helps both humans and the king cobra. I conduct specialized workshops called Scientific Training On Reptile Management(STORM) and the King Cobra Bionomics for varied audiences to create awareness and garner support for king cobra conservation. PUBLICATIONS: I have authored and co-authored 15 peer-reviewed scientific papers on king cobras where six were part of a special issue for the 'Hamadryad', a herpetological journal. WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARIES My work has been documented most recently in a wildlife documentary titled, 'Cobra King' on NatGeoWild and Smithsonian Channels respectively. I also feature in wildlife documentaries like the King Cobra and I, Secrets of the King Cobra, One million snake bites, Asia's deadliest snakes, Wildest India, Wild India and Mysteries of Wild India by channels like the BBC, Discovery, NatGeo Wild, Animal Planet, Smithsonian and the National Geographic Channel. ORGANIZATIONS I run two organizations-Kalinga Centre for Rainforest Ecology and Kalinga Foundation (named 'Kaalinga' i.e. king cobra in Kannada) which are an environmental education company and a non-profit organization respectively. Both organizations are based out of Agumbe, Karnataka, India. // King cobra conservationist // herpetology, environmental education, education, rainforest, evolutionary biology, species, documentary, job skills training, ecology, wildlife // Bengaluru|India|Karnataka

Bengaluru|India|Karnataka

Citizen Science, Data Analysis, Education, Electronics, Neuroscience, Research, Robotics, Science, Software Development

2012, 2013

United States

Michigan State University; Backyard Brains; University of Michigan; University of South Carolina

Backyard Brains is a company founded by neuroscience Ph.D. students with a mission to democratize neuroscience education. They have developed kits that allow individuals, including children, to learn about neuroscience at an early age using off-the-shelf electronics. Their products focus on neuroscience but have expanded into various STEM research fields. The kits enable users to record from neurons in invertebrates, human physiology, neuroengineering devices, and even plant signaling. Backyard Brains has received recognition for their work, including awards from prestigious organizations and the U.S. National Institutes of Health. They have a strong community presence, with TED Talks and collaborations with popular science shows. The company is open-source, transparent about their finances, and offers a range of experiments and lesson plans for educators and enthusiasts. // Adjunct Professor in the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan // Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, Michigan State University // Greg Gage is the co-founder and CEO of Backyard Brains, an organization that develops open-source tools that allow amateurs and students to participate in neural discovery. Greg is an NIH-award winning neuroscientist with 9 popular TED Talks and dozens of peer-reviewed publications. Greg is a Senior Fellow at TED and the recipient of the White House Champion of Change from Barack Obama award for his commitment to citizen science. // Michigan State University; Backyard Brains; University of Michigan; University of South Carolina // Gregory Gage is a seasoned neuroscientist and educator with a strong focus on democratizing neuroscience research. With a background in academia as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, Gregory has also made significant contributions as the co-founder and CEO of Backyard Brains. Through this organization, he has spearheaded the development of open-source tools that enable individuals, including students and amateurs, to engage in neural exploration. Gregory's work has been recognized with prestigious accolades such as the White House Champion of Change award, highlighting his dedication to promoting citizen science. His extensive experience is underscored by numerous peer-reviewed publications and engaging TED Talks that have garnered widespread acclaim. // I develop low-fi, hands-on tools to teach neuroscience to students before university. The goal is to track the best students into neuroscience research careers despite their economic backgrounds. // Gregory Gage is a seasoned neuroscientist and educator known for his dedication to democratizing neuroscience education. As the co-founder and CEO of Backyard Brains, he has led the development of open-source kits that make neuroscience accessible to individuals of all ages, including students and amateurs. Gregory's work emphasizes hands-on learning and aims to inspire a new generation of neuroscientists by providing affordable tools for neural exploration. His contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, such as the White House Champion of Change award, showcasing his commitment to promoting citizen science. Through his extensive experience in academia and innovative approach to teaching neuroscience, Gregory Gage continues to make significant strides in bridging the gap between science education and research opportunities. // Neuroscientist + roboticist // Neuroscientist and co-founder of Backyard Brains, an organization teaching kids and amateurs neuroscience through hands-on experiments to see and hear brain signals from living neurons and also via robotic control of ordinary cockroaches. // Greg Gage is a neuroscientist, engineer and the CEO of Backyard Brains. Greg develops tools, curriculum and experiments that allow the general public participate, hands-on, in neural discovery. He is senior fellow at TED and has given many TED talks (9 online), received the director's innovation award as an investigator at the National Institute of Health (NIH), and was recognized in a White House ceremony for being Obama’s Champion of Change for his commitment to citizen science. In his free time, he enjoys changing diapers of his 2 young daughters. // Them's fighting words if you're an octopus, in that more than one octopus in a space often means a rumble. Our intrepid neuroscientists analyze aggression by observing the fighting behavior of two-spotted octopuses or, if you prefer, octopodes. // What does the love song of a mosquito sound like? Find out as our intrepid neuroscientists explore the meaning of all that annoying buzzing in your ear. // Modern technology lets neuroscientists peer into the human brain, but can it also read minds? Armed with the device known as an electroencephalogram, or EEG, and some computing wizardry, our intrepid neuroscientists attempt to peer into a subject's thoughts. // Gregory Gage is a seasoned neuroscientist and educator known for his dedication to democratizing neuroscience education. As the co-founder and CEO of Backyard Brains, he has led the development of open-source kits that make neuroscience accessible to individuals of all ages, including students and amateurs. Gregory's work emphasizes hands-on learning and aims to inspire a new generation of neuroscientists by providing affordable tools for neural exploration. His contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, such as the White House Champion of Change award, showcasing his commitment to promoting citizen science. Through his extensive experience in academia and innovative approach to teaching neuroscience, Gregory Gage continues to make significant strides in bridging the gap between science education and research opportunities. // Neuroscientist + roboticist // technology, education, entrepreneurship, electronics, electrical engineering, data, research, citizen scientist, engineering, robots, stem, data analysis, robotics, neuroscience, children, software development, science, software // Michigan|Ann Arbor|United States|USA

Michigan|Ann Arbor|United States|USA

Computational Biology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Pragmatic Environmentalism, Science Fiction, Transhumanism, Video Game player

2010

United States

Biotechnologist // Venezuelan writer and scientist working on LavaAmp, a pocket-size thermal cycler for rapid PCR // Computational biologist from Venezuela, trying to fund low cost DNA testing for rural communities. // Computational biologist from Venezuela, trying to fund low cost DNA testing for rural communities. // Biotechnologist // science fiction, rural, science, computational biology, rural communities, molecular biology and biochemistry, pragmatic environmentalism, low-cost, video game player, transhumanism // California|United States|San Francisco|USA

California|United States|San Francisco|USA

2009

India

Energy engineer // Co-founder of Husk Power Systems, an organization using rice husk to empower more than 5,000 households in over 30 villages // Co-founder of Husk Power Systems, an organization using rice husk to empower more than 5,000 households in over 30 villages // Energy engineer // rice, rural villages, rural // Patna|Bihar|India

Patna|Bihar|India

Astronomy, Astrophysics & Cosmology, History of Science, Physics - Semiconductors, Science Communication, Science Education

2012

United States

Astrophysicist + science educator // As a child, Hakeem Oluseyi never lived in the same state two years in a row. He moved between rough neighborhoods in the American South, like New Orleans’ 9th Ward, Houston's 3rd Ward, and Watts, California, until finally settling in a poor community in rural Mississippi at the age of 13. "As the new kid in the bad neighborhood, I was always immediately challenged upon arrival, which meant fighting,” Hakeem explains. “I was not interested in this, so I spent a lot of time indoors reading and watching PBS nature shows. I discovered Jacques Cousteau on TV and Albert Einstein in my reading. The effects of relativity just knocked my socks off! I did everything I could to get my head around this stuff. I thought, 'Man! Scientists are super cool!’" Hakeem’s interest in physics continued into high school, where he created a computer program that did relativity calculations. When his program won first prize in physics at the state science fair, judges told him to become a physicist. Since Hakeem didn’t really know what physicists did, he dismissed the idea and chose to enlist in the Navy. But not long after, Hakeem decided to major in physics at Tougaloo College, a small historically black college in Mississippi. Using Physics Now, three degrees in physics and one in mathematics later, Hakeem is a super cool scientist himself–an astrophysicist. Hakeem did research for the first time at a summer program at the University of Georgia. He was pleasantly surprised by the freedom and responsibility he was given and found that he fit well into the research community, even though he was one of only a few African Americans. After finishing up with school, Hakeem worked at one of Silicon Valley's most successful companies and did research on manufacturing computer chips. This work earned him 8 U.S. patents and 4 E.U. patents. Hakeem's inventions can be found in the computer chips you use every day. Hakeem, however, longed for the big ideas of astronomy and astrophysics, and returned to astrophysics research. He worked with the 2011 Nobel Prize winning Supernova Cosmology Project, developing detectors for a planned space-based telescope that will investigate the nature of the dark energy that is accelerating the universe's expansion. Today, he is a member of the team developing the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), which is America's top priority observatory. He has worked on developing the LSST's camera and is developing programs for analyzing the data it will collect. In addition to astrophysics, Hakeem also has a passion for communicating science to the public. He is a professor at the Florida Institute of Technology, and a frequent contributor to the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. He has given multiple TED talks and is regularly invited to speak at science forums all around the world. In 2002, through an organization called Cosmos Education, Hakeem began visiting sub-Saharan African schools to inspire young students with science demonstrations. “Engaging with a down-to-earth, successful scientist of African heritage encourages the students and lets them see that someone very similar to them can make it as a scientist,” Hakeem says. Hakeem's drive to spread his love of astronomy globally has brought him into contact with thousands of students from dozens of nations. It also led him to help play a leading role in the formation of the first continent-wide organization of Astronomy professionals in Africa, the African Astronomical Society. He currently leads the One Telescope Project, an initiative to supply each nation in the world with at least one research-grade telescope. // As a child, Hakeem Oluseyi never lived in the same state two years in a row. He moved between rough neighborhoods in the American South, like New Orleans’ 9th Ward, Houston's 3rd Ward, and Watts, California, until finally settling in a poor community in rural Mississippi at the age of 13. "As the new kid in the bad neighborhood, I was always immediately challenged upon arrival, which meant fighting,” Hakeem explains. “I was not interested in this, so I spent a lot of time indoors reading and watching PBS nature shows. I discovered Jacques Cousteau on TV and Albert Einstein in my reading. The effects of relativity just knocked my socks off! I did everything I could to get my head around this stuff. I thought, 'Man! Scientists are super cool!’" Hakeem’s interest in physics continued into high school, where he created a computer program that did relativity calculations. When his program won first prize in physics at the state science fair, judges told him to become a physicist. Since Hakeem didn’t really know what physicists did, he dismissed the idea and chose to enlist in the Navy. But not long after, Hakeem decided to major in physics at Tougaloo College, a small historically black college in Mississippi. Using Physics Now, three degrees in physics and one in mathematics later, Hakeem is a super cool scientist himself–an astrophysicist. Hakeem did research for the first time at a summer program at the University of Georgia. He was pleasantly surprised by the freedom and responsibility he was given and found that he fit well into the research community, even though he was one of only a few African Americans. After finishing up with school, Hakeem worked at one of Silicon Valley's most successful companies and did research on manufacturing computer chips. This work earned him 8 U.S. patents and 4 E.U. patents. Hakeem's inventions can be found in the computer chips you use every day. Hakeem, however, longed for the big ideas of astronomy and astrophysics, and returned to astrophysics research. He worked with the 2011 Nobel Prize winning Supernova Cosmology Project, developing detectors for a planned space-based telescope that will investigate the nature of the dark energy that is accelerating the universe's expansion. Today, he is a member of the team developing the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), which is America's top priority observatory. He has worked on developing the LSST's camera and is developing programs for analyzing the data it will collect. In addition to astrophysics, Hakeem also has a passion for communicating science to the public. He is a professor at the Florida Institute of Technology, and a frequent contributor to the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. He has given multiple TED talks and is regularly invited to speak at science forums all around the world. In 2002, through an organization called Cosmos Education, Hakeem began visiting sub-Saharan African schools to inspire young students with science demonstrations. “Engaging with a down-to-earth, successful scientist of African heritage encourages the students and lets them see that someone very similar to them can make it as a scientist,” Hakeem says. Hakeem's drive to spread his love of astronomy globally has brought him into contact with thousands of students from dozens of nations. It also led him to help play a leading role in the formation of the first continent-wide organization of Astronomy professionals in Africa, the African Astronomical Society. He currently leads the One Telescope Project, an initiative to supply each nation in the world with at least one research-grade telescope. // Astrophysicist + science educator // technology, education, led, data, physics - semiconductors, research, astrophysics & cosmology, astronomy, science education, science communication, children, rural, nature, science, history of science, communication, manufacturing, semiconductor // Washington|United States|District of Columbia

Washington|United States|District of Columbia