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Agriculture, Bioinformatics / Computational Biology, Crop health, Data analytics, Food security, Genomics, High-performance computing, Local community development, Phylogenetics, Public speaking, Scientific Writing, Smallholder farming, Supercomputing, Whiteflies

2015

United States

The Cassava Virus Action Project is a collaborative effort using genomics and supercomputing to combat cassava pathogens, particularly in East Africa. The project aims to diagnose crop health quickly, empower local communities, and minimize the spread of viruses transmitted by whiteflies. Through partnerships with various government agencies and international collaborations, the team conducts research, training, and fieldwork to enhance agricultural sustainability and resilience. The project has been recognized for its innovative approach and has received awards and media coverage for its impactful work in the field of genomics and agriculture. // The organization's website is protected by Cloudflare to prevent malicious bot access to email addresses displayed on the page. Users are required to enable Javascript in their browsers to decode the email addresses. Cloudflare offers performance and security services for websites. // People need food. Not a single person on this planet should be hungry or malnourished. // Laura Boykin Okalebo is a leading figure in the Cassava Virus Action Project, a groundbreaking initiative that leverages genomics and supercomputing to combat cassava pathogens in East Africa. Through innovative approaches, the project focuses on rapid crop health diagnosis, community empowerment, and the prevention of virus transmission by whiteflies. Collaborating with government agencies and international partners, Laura's work encompasses research, training, and on-the-ground efforts to bolster agricultural sustainability and resilience in the region. Her contributions have garnered recognition for their significant impact on the intersection of genomics, agriculture, and community development. // Computational biologist // Biologist who is using genomics and computation to tackle food security issues in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically invasive whiteflies’ devastation of cassava, a food staple in many countries. // Dr. Laura Boykin Okalebo is TED Senior Fellow, Gifted Citizen and a computational biologist who uses genomics and supercomputing to help smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa control whiteflies and viruses, which have caused devastation of local cassava crops. Her research team uses genetic data to understand the virus and whitefly’s evolution. Boykin Okalebo also works to equip African scientists with a greater knowledge of genomics and high-performance computing skills to tackle future insect outbreaks. Boykin Okalebo completed her PhD in Biology at the University of New Mexico while working at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the Theoretical Biology and Biophysics group. She was invited to present her lab’s research on whiteflies at the United Nations Solution Summit in New York City for the signing of the Sustainable Development Goals to end extreme poverty by 2030. The team’s latest work to bring portable DNA sequencing to east African farmers has been featured on CNN, BBC World News, BBC Swahili, BBC Technology News, and the TED Fellows Ideas Blog. // Nearly 800 million people worldwide depend on cassava for survival -- but this critical food source is under attack by entirely preventable viruses, says computational biologist and TED Senior Fellow Laura Boykin. She takes us to the farms in East Africa where she's working with a diverse team of scientists to help farmers keep their crops healthy using a portable DNA lab and mini supercomputer that can identify viruses in hours, instead of months. // Laura Boykin Okalebo is a leading figure in the Cassava Virus Action Project, a groundbreaking initiative that leverages genomics and supercomputing to combat cassava pathogens in East Africa. Through innovative approaches, the project focuses on rapid crop health diagnosis, community empowerment, and the prevention of virus transmission by whiteflies. Collaborating with government agencies and international partners, Laura's work encompasses research, training, and on-the-ground efforts to bolster agricultural sustainability and resilience in the region. Her contributions have garnered recognition for their significant impact on the intersection of genomics, agriculture, and community development. // Computational biologist // technology, public speaking , genomics , food security, bioinformatics , phylogenetics , scientific writing , data, job skills training, next-generation sequencing , sustainable development goals, research, agriculture, resilience, insects, data and analytics, bioinformatics, sustainable development , farming, farmers, genomics, whiteflies, phylogenetics, smallholder, high-performance computing project management , bioinformatics / computational biology, cross-cultural leadership, supercomputing, crop health, food, poverty, crops, local communities, government, scientific writing, data analytics // Uganda|Gaithersburg|Maryland|USA|Tanzania|United States|Kenya

Uganda|Gaithersburg|Maryland|USA|Tanzania|United States|Kenya

Title IX, campus sexual assault, civil rights, education, litigation, policy

2018

United States

L.L. Dunn Law Firm, PLLC; University of Maryland Baltimore; University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Practitioner Teacher Program

Laura L. Dunn, J.D., is a nationally recognized civil and victims rights lawyer specializing in Title IX campus sexual assault cases. With decades of experience, Dunn serves as an expert witness and consultant on high-profile cases, advocating for victims and whistleblowers. She has received numerous accolades and recognitions for her work, including the U.S. Department of Justice Special Courage Award and a TED Fellowship. Dunn is also a published legal scholar and offers training and presentations on campus sexual assault, victims' rights, Title IX, and related topics. Through her firm, L.L. Dunn Law Firm, she continues to advance victims' rights and accountability in cases of sexual violence and misconduct. // Accomplished and dedicated professional with over 10 years of experience as a lawyer and social entrepreneur. Contributor to team success through advanced skills in litigation, policy, and media. Comfortable adapting to change, identifying creative solutions to unexpected problems, and committed to continuous improvement, and building a collaborative team environment. // L.L. Dunn Law Firm, PLLC; University of Maryland Baltimore; University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Practitioner Teacher Program // Laura Dunn is an accomplished professional with over a decade of experience as a lawyer and social entrepreneur. With expertise in litigation, policy, and media, she has been a valuable contributor to team success. Laura excels in adapting to change, problem-solving, and fostering a collaborative team environment. Committed to continuous improvement, she brings a wealth of experience to her work. // Increasing the prospect of justice for survivors of campus sexual violence // Laura L. Dunn, J.D., is a highly respected civil and victims' rights lawyer renowned for her specialization in Title IX campus sexual assault cases. With extensive experience spanning decades, Dunn is sought after as an expert witness and consultant in high-profile cases, advocating passionately for victims and whistleblowers. Her notable achievements include receiving prestigious awards such as the U.S. Department of Justice Special Courage Award and a TED Fellowship. Dunn is also a published legal scholar and conducts training sessions and presentations on critical issues like campus sexual assault, victims' rights, and Title IX. Through her firm, L.L. Dunn Law Firm, she continues to champion victims' rights and promote accountability in cases of sexual violence and misconduct, significantly contributing to increasing the prospect of justice for survivors of campus sexual violence. // Victims' rights attorney // Laura L. Dunn, Esq., advances victims' rights through select legislative and policy efforts as well as direct representation of survivors in campus, criminal and civil systems at the L.L. Dunn Law Firm, PLLC. As a nationally-recognized victim-turned-victims’ rights attorney and social entrepreneur, her work has been featured by National Public Radio, PEOPLE Magazine, Forbes, the National Law Journal, the New York Times, and many more. Dunn is a published legal scholar, an adjunct at Maryland Law, a member of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence and its Criminal Justice Section's Task Force on College Due Process, a liaison to the American Law Institute’s Model Penal Code on Sexual Assault and its Student Sexual Misconduct Project, an accomplished litigator who helped win the first-ever recognition of a federal victim-advocate privilege, and an expert witness and consultant on various campus-based gender violence lawsuits nationwide. Dunn has trained countless campus community members, advocates and attorneys on Title IX and the Clery through the Federal Bar Association, the National Association of Women Judges, the College Republican National Committee, the Democratic Attorneys General Association, the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics, Harvard Law, Stanford University, the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the Texas Municipal Police Association, the Arkansas Bar Association, the National Association of Victim Rights Attorneys, and many more. While a student at Maryland Law, Dunn interned at the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and worked as a law clerk for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. She also worked with Congress to pass the 2013 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and developed its implementing regulations under the Clery Act through the U.S. Department of Education, which she also worked with on the Obama-era Title IX guidance. For this advocacy, Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy have publicly recognized Dunn. Upon graduation, Dunn founded the survivor-led and DC-based legal organization, SurvJustice. It is still the only national nonprofit representing victims of campus sexual violence in hearings across the country. For her work, Dunn has received a 2015 Echoing Green Global Fellowship, the 2016 Benjamin Cardin Public Service Award, the 2017 Special Courage Award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime, and a 2018 TED Fellowship, along with other honors and recognitions over the years. // To make accountability the norm after gender violence in the United States, we need to change tactics, says victims' rights attorney and TED Fellow Laura L. Dunn. Instead of going institution by institution, fighting for reform, we need to go to the Constitution and finally pass the Equal Rights Amendment, which would require states to address gender inequality and violence. By ushering in sweeping change, Dunn says, "our legal system can become a system of justice, and #MeToo can finally become 'no more.'" // Laura L. Dunn, J.D., is a highly respected civil and victims' rights lawyer renowned for her specialization in Title IX campus sexual assault cases. With extensive experience spanning decades, Dunn is sought after as an expert witness and consultant in high-profile cases, advocating passionately for victims and whistleblowers. Her notable achievements include receiving prestigious awards such as the U.S. Department of Justice Special Courage Award and a TED Fellowship. Dunn is also a published legal scholar and conducts training sessions and presentations on critical issues like campus sexual assault, victims' rights, and Title IX. Through her firm, L.L. Dunn Law Firm, she continues to champion victims' rights and promote accountability in cases of sexual violence and misconduct, significantly contributing to increasing the prospect of justice for survivors of campus sexual violence. // Victims' rights attorney // advocate, violence, gender based violence, education, victim rights, job skills training, gender inequality, attorney, survivor, research, design, title ix, rights, legislation, volunteerism, policy, women, public policy, gender, advocacy, politics, civil rights, litigation, inequality, law, campus sexual assault, victim, accountability, justice // Washington, D.C.|USA|New York|Washington|United States

Washington, D.C.|USA|New York|Washington|United States

2016

Spain

Biomedical entrepreneur // Laura Indolfi is an Italian biomedical entrepreneur, TED Fellow 2016 and co-founder and CEO of PanTher Therapeutics, a start up spun out from Harvard and MIT that provides superior technologies for revolutionizing the treatment of inoperable locally advanced solid tumors. Prior to this she served as an entrepreneur-in-residence at the MGH Cancer Center and as a research associate in the Harvard-MIT Institute for Medical Engineering and Science. Laura has broad professional experiences and interests ranging from biomedical engineering, to entrepreneurship and outreaching initiative to promote science. Her scientific expertise covers a broad range of therapeutic areas (cardio, cancer, inflammation, regenerative medicine) and approaches (drug delivery, cell therapy, implanted devices). Together with her strong technical background, she has hands-on business managerial know-hows developed during her biomedical business training at Sloan and Harvard Business Schools and interactions with consulting firms. She strongly believes in the power of outreaching initiatives to promote research awareness and foster the public audience’s discovery of the beauty of science. In 2014 the line of clothes Cytocouture, created in collaboration with Colombian designer Carlos Villamil and inspired by her cell-therapy research, won the global competition Descience. Laura holds a MS/BS degree in materials science and engineering and a PhD in biomaterials from the University “Federico II” of Naples in Italy. Upon graduation, she joined the Harvard-MIT Division of Health, Science and Technology, working on several projects spanning from devices for local drug delivery to tissue engineering approaches for cell therapies. // Anyone who has lost a loved one to pancreatic cancer knows the devastating speed with which it can affect an otherwise healthy person. TED Fellow and biomedical entrepreneur Laura Indolfi is developing a revolutionary way to treat this complex and lethal disease: a drug delivery device that acts as a cage at the site of a tumor, preventing it from spreading and delivering medicine only where it's needed. "We are hoping that one day we can make pancreatic cancer a curable disease," she says. // Laura Indolfi is an Italian biomedical entrepreneur, TED Fellow 2016 and co-founder and CEO of PanTher Therapeutics, a start up spun out from Harvard and MIT that provides superior technologies for revolutionizing the treatment of inoperable locally advanced solid tumors. Prior to this she served as an entrepreneur-in-residence at the MGH Cancer Center and as a research associate in the Harvard-MIT Institute for Medical Engineering and Science. Laura has broad professional experiences and interests ranging from biomedical engineering, to entrepreneurship and outreaching initiative to promote science. Her scientific expertise covers a broad range of therapeutic areas (cardio, cancer, inflammation, regenerative medicine) and approaches (drug delivery, cell therapy, implanted devices). Together with her strong technical background, she has hands-on business managerial know-hows developed during her biomedical business training at Sloan and Harvard Business Schools and interactions with consulting firms. She strongly believes in the power of outreaching initiatives to promote research awareness and foster the public audience’s discovery of the beauty of science. In 2014 the line of clothes Cytocouture, created in collaboration with Colombian designer Carlos Villamil and inspired by her cell-therapy research, won the global competition Descience. Laura holds a MS/BS degree in materials science and engineering and a PhD in biomaterials from the University “Federico II” of Naples in Italy. Upon graduation, she joined the Harvard-MIT Division of Health, Science and Technology, working on several projects spanning from devices for local drug delivery to tissue engineering approaches for cell therapies. // Biomedical entrepreneur // technology, regenerative, research, clothes, science, entrepreneurship, disease, apparel, job skills training, materials science, biomaterials // Boston|Massachusetts|United States|USA

Boston|Massachusetts|United States|USA

Anthropology of Science & Technology, Books, History of Science, Interdisciplinarity, Journalism, Medical Education, Medicine, Mental Health (Care), Performance, Resilience, Writing

2012

United States

Writer, secular chaplain-in-training // I'm a writer and a historian of science. Right now I'm working on a book about mental illness in the nonhuman world and what it means about us. I'm also finishing up my PhD at MIT. I've spent the last few years traveling around the world doing my research...which means hanging out with elephants in Thailand and friendly gray whales in Baja, Mexico. I'm also interested in emergent technologies, occupying planet earth, freeing Leonard Peltier, and slashing our defense budget. And I do a lot of work with artists. // Laurel Braitman PhD is a New York Times bestselling author, Director of Writing and Storytelling at Stanford School of Medicine's Medical Arts and Humanities Program and the founder of Writing Medicine, the global community of writing healthcare professionals. Since March 2020, Laurel has helped over 10,000 healthcare workers tell their own stories and those of their patients. Her own writing is on the subjects of mental health, resilience, the natural sciences, and more. She is author of the memoir “What Looks Like Bravery: An epic journey from loss to love” (Simon & Schuster 2023) which Publisher’s Weekly called “perfect for anyone seeking to heal a broken heart.” Her first book, “Animal Madness: Inside their minds”, was a NYT bestseller and has been translated into seven languages. Laurel’s work has been featured on the BBC, NPR, Good Morning America and Al Jazeera. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, Wired and other publications. She is a Senior TED Fellow. Laurel splits her time between remote Alaska where her husband runs a 113 year old salmon cannery and her family's commercial citrus and avocado ranch in Southern CA. // Health care workers are under more stress than ever before. How can they protect their mental health while handling new and complex pressures? TED Fellow Laurel Braitman shows how writing and sharing personal stories helps physicians, nurses, medical students and other health professionals connect more meaningfully with themselves and others -- and make their emotional well-being a priority. // Behind those funny animal videos, sometimes, are oddly human-like problems. Laurel Braitman studies non-human animals who exhibit signs of mental health issues -- from compulsive bears to self-destructive rats to monkeys with unlikely friends. Braitman asks what we as humans can learn from watching animals cope with depression, sadness and other all-too-human problems. // Laurel Braitman PhD is a New York Times bestselling author, Director of Writing and Storytelling at Stanford School of Medicine's Medical Arts and Humanities Program and the founder of Writing Medicine, the global community of writing healthcare professionals. Since March 2020, Laurel has helped over 10,000 healthcare workers tell their own stories and those of their patients. Her own writing is on the subjects of mental health, resilience, the natural sciences, and more. She is author of the memoir “What Looks Like Bravery: An epic journey from loss to love” (Simon & Schuster 2023) which Publisher’s Weekly called “perfect for anyone seeking to heal a broken heart.” Her first book, “Animal Madness: Inside their minds”, was a NYT bestseller and has been translated into seven languages. Laurel’s work has been featured on the BBC, NPR, Good Morning America and Al Jazeera. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, Wired and other publications. She is a Senior TED Fellow. Laurel splits her time between remote Alaska where her husband runs a 113 year old salmon cannery and her family's commercial citrus and avocado ranch in Southern CA. // Writer, secular chaplain-in-training // research, technology, books, resilience, medical education, science, education, performance, journalism, writing, mental health (care), history of science, anthropology of science & technology, medicine, workers, interdisciplinarity // California|United States|San Francisco|USA

California|United States|San Francisco|USA

Biodiversity, Data, Education, Evolution, Fish, Fossils, Freshwater ecology, Marine biology, Mass extinction events, Museums, Oceans, Paleontology, Research, Science, Science communication, Species protection, Universities

2019, 2017

United States

University of Chicago; University of Pennsylvania; Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)

Lauren Sallan is an American academic and paleobiologist known for her work in macroevolution. She is the head of the Macroevolution Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology and previously held a position at the University of Pennsylvania. Sallan utilizes big data analytics to study macroevolution, focusing on palaeoichthyology. Her research has delved into the evolution of vertebrates, particularly during critical stages like the End-Devonian extinction and the Hangenberg event. Sallan has been recognized as a TED Senior Fellow and has delivered multiple TED talks on evolution and mass extinctions. She has compiled a comprehensive database of fish fossils spanning millions of years, shedding light on the early evolution of vertebrates and the factors influencing species formation rates. // The Macroevolution Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University investigates how environmental change, global events, ecological interactions, and key traits have shaped biodiversity over long timescales. They focus on determining the origins of major vertebrate groups, particularly fishes, and key ecosystems, such as marine and freshwater environments. The unit conducts computational analyses of biodiversity databases, spanning from local to global scales and from the present day to the last 600 million years. They also study morphological biodiversity at the species level using various scientific approaches. The research areas include understanding how crises and opportunities have influenced fish biodiversity, the origins of major animal groups, and the impacts of mass extinctions and global crises. The unit's work sheds light on the evolutionary history of vertebrates and the interactions between vertebrates and invertebrates, providing insights into the long-term consequences of environmental changes. // Lauren Sallan is an ichthyologist and paleontologist investigating how environmental change, global events, ecological interactions and key traits shaped biodiversity on timescales outside human observation (macroevolution). Her lab seeks to determine the origins of major vertebrate groups (particularly fishes) and key ecosystems (particularly marine and freshwater) as well as understand how species respond to big challenges – living or environmental, regional or global, gradual or sudden. Lauren is the head of the Macroevolution Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) an innovative research university that fully supports ideas-driven science. Lauren is building a international team of cross-disciplinary scientists to investigate the evolution of the oceans and the origins of fish biodiversity. Prior to joining OIST, Lauren was the Martin Meyerson Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She was one of 10 people selected from a global applicant pool to became a TED Fellow in 2017, and she became a TED Senior Fellow in 2019. Her TED Talks on surviving mass extinction and the evolution of life have received almost 3 million views. Lauren's research has been published in high-profile venues such as Science, Nature, PNAS, and Current Biology. It has also been featured by The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, the BBC, Forbes, the New Scientist, the Discovery Channel, and the recent popular science book 'The Ends of the World' by Peter Brannen (Harper Collins). // Head of the Macroevolution Unit // Head of the Marine Macroevolution Unit // Incoming Head, Marine Macroevolution Unit // Incoming Head, Marine Macroevolution Unit // University of Chicago; University of Pennsylvania; Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) // Lauren Sallan is an accomplished ichthyologist and paleontologist specializing in macroevolution, focusing on how environmental changes, global events, and ecological interactions have influenced biodiversity over extended timescales. As the head of the Macroevolution Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), she leads a diverse team of international scientists in exploring the origins of vertebrate groups, particularly fishes, and major ecosystems in marine and freshwater environments. Prior to her current role, Lauren held a prestigious position as the Martin Meyerson Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and has been recognized as a TED Fellow and TED Senior Fellow for her impactful research. Her work, featured in renowned scientific journals and mainstream media outlets, sheds light on the evolution of life in response to significant challenges, both environmental and biological. // I am trying to understand the origins and structure of modern marine biodiversity, why some fish species thrive and others fail in the face of environmental and ecological challenges, and how and why our own ancestors, the earliest vertebrates and fishes, first evolved into familiar forms. // Lauren Sallan is an esteemed paleobiologist and ichthyologist renowned for her expertise in macroevolution. Leading the Macroevolution Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, she delves into the evolution of vertebrates, with a particular focus on palaeoichthyology. Sallan's research employs big data analytics to unravel the impacts of environmental changes and global events on biodiversity, especially in fish species. Her work sheds light on the origins of major vertebrate groups, such as fishes, and key ecosystems in marine and freshwater environments. Through her comprehensive database of fish fossils, Sallan provides valuable insights into the early evolution of vertebrates and the factors influencing species formation rates. // Paleobiologist // Paleobiologist using the vast fossil record as a deep time database to explore how mass extinctions, environmental change and shifting ecologies impact biodiversity. // Lauren Sallan is a paleobiologist using cross-disciplinary data analytics and methods to gain insight into the underpinnings of ocean biodiversity and how ecology and evolution operate at scales unobservable by humans (macroevolution). Lauren uses the vast fossil record of fishes as a deep time database, mining to find out why some species persist and diversify while others die off. She has used these methods to discover the lost, largest, 'sixth' mass extinction of vertebrates, reveal how fish heads changed first during their rise to dominance, and show how invasive predators can shift prey evolution at global scales. In Summer 2022, Lauren will become the full-time head of the new Marine Macroevolution Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) an innovative research university that fully supports ideas-driven science. There she will build a international team of cross-disciplinary scientists to investigate the evolution of the oceans and the origins of fish biodiversity. Lauren is currently the Martin Meyerson Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, became a TED Fellow in 2017 and a TED Senior Fellow in 2019. Her research has been published in high-profile venues such as Science, Nature, PNAS, and Current Biology. It has also been featured by The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, the BBC, Forbes, the New Scientist, the Discovery Channel, and the recent popular science book 'The Ends of the World' by Peter Brannen (Harper Collins). Her TED Talks on surviving mass extinction and the evolution of life have received almost 3 million views. // In this hilarious, whirlwind tour of the last four billion years of evolution, paleontologist and TED Fellow Lauren Sallan introduces us to some of the wildly diverse animals that roamed the prehistoric planet (from sharks with wings to galloping crocodiles and long-necked rhinos) and shows why paleontology is about way more than dinosaurs. // Congratulations! By being here, alive, you are one of history's winners -- the culmination of a success story four billion years in the making. The other 99 percent of species who have ever lived on earth are dead -- killed by fire, flood, asteroids, ice, heat and the cold math of natural selection. How did we get so lucky, and will we continue to win? In this short, funny talk, paleobiologist and TED Fellow Lauren Sallan shares insights on how your ancestors' survival through mass extinction made you who you are today. // Lauren Sallan is an esteemed paleobiologist and ichthyologist renowned for her expertise in macroevolution. Leading the Macroevolution Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, she delves into the evolution of vertebrates, with a particular focus on palaeoichthyology. Sallan's research employs big data analytics to unravel the impacts of environmental changes and global events on biodiversity, especially in fish species. Her work sheds light on the origins of major vertebrate groups, such as fishes, and key ecosystems in marine and freshwater environments. Through her comprehensive database of fish fossils, Sallan provides valuable insights into the early evolution of vertebrates and the factors influencing species formation rates. // Paleobiologist // technology, freshwater, ecology, paleontology, marine, education, fish, biodiversity, ocean, fire, scicomm, extinction, data, rhinos, evolution, research, data and analytics, marine biology, species, floods, interdisciplinary studies, mining, oceans, education and outreach, museums, universities, big data, nature, science, mass extinction, ecosystem, fossils, marine ecology // Okinawa|Japan|Onna

Okinawa|Japan|Onna

Acting - Film & Stage, Dance Choreography and Instruction, Perfomance, Poetry (Spoken and Written), Radio & Television, Youth & Leadership development, singing - a cappella

2015

United States

Poet // Award-winning slam poet, exploring issues of gender, identity and community, who founded Vocal Revolutionaries, a volunteer-run organization focused on empowering African youth. // LEE MOKOBE is the Founder and Creative Director. Mokobe is a black transqueer poet hailing from Cape Town, South Africa. His work focuses on human rights, LGBTQIA experiences and african history. He is an international award-winning slam poet with a BNV Championship under his belt. A three time TED and TEDx speaker and 2015 Youngest TED Fellow. Mokobe has performed all over the world included at the Barclay's Center, The LGBT Center, LA YouTube Space and Vidcon. His work has been featured by The Fader, Al Jazeera, New York Public Library, Philly.com, Ideas.Ted, Soulpancake media, OkayAfrica and Leeway Foundation. He has also performed alongside and for Sunni Patterson, Talib Kweli, Chance The Rapper, Mos Def, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sarah Kay and so many more. His work has graced the stages of the National Museum of African American History and Culture as part of a special LGBTQ+ installation where he was the first transgender person to perform and speak on trans people in Africa. He also trail blazed as the first transgender person to be featured in Converse's Forever global campaign. And also featured as a prominent African non-binary leader in Beyonce Knowles And Gucci's Chime for Change as part of The Future is Fluid Campaign. Lee has worked with various non-profit organisations in the United States, especially in youth development. In the teaching artist, advisor and media content creator capacity. He is also well known for teaching workshops over Skype for various youth organisations and schools across the world. Mokobe is currently studying at the University of Cape Town. // "I was the mystery of an anatomy, a question asked but not answered," says poet Lee Mokobe, a TED Fellow, in this gripping and poetic exploration of identity and transition. It's a thoughtful reflection on bodies, and the meanings poured into them. // LEE MOKOBE is the Founder and Creative Director. Mokobe is a black transqueer poet hailing from Cape Town, South Africa. His work focuses on human rights, LGBTQIA experiences and african history. He is an international award-winning slam poet with a BNV Championship under his belt. A three time TED and TEDx speaker and 2015 Youngest TED Fellow. Mokobe has performed all over the world included at the Barclay's Center, The LGBT Center, LA YouTube Space and Vidcon. His work has been featured by The Fader, Al Jazeera, New York Public Library, Philly.com, Ideas.Ted, Soulpancake media, OkayAfrica and Leeway Foundation. He has also performed alongside and for Sunni Patterson, Talib Kweli, Chance The Rapper, Mos Def, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sarah Kay and so many more. His work has graced the stages of the National Museum of African American History and Culture as part of a special LGBTQ+ installation where he was the first transgender person to perform and speak on trans people in Africa. He also trail blazed as the first transgender person to be featured in Converse's Forever global campaign. And also featured as a prominent African non-binary leader in Beyonce Knowles And Gucci's Chime for Change as part of The Future is Fluid Campaign. Lee has worked with various non-profit organisations in the United States, especially in youth development. In the teaching artist, advisor and media content creator capacity. He is also well known for teaching workshops over Skype for various youth organisations and schools across the world. Mokobe is currently studying at the University of Cape Town. // Poet // perfomance, acting - film & stage, gender identity, human rights, gender, youth, rights, radio & television, singing - a cappella, dance choreography and instruction, poetry (spoken and written), campaigns, youth & leadership development // Pennsylvania|Philadelphia|United States|USA

Pennsylvania|Philadelphia|United States|USA

Indigenous culture, Non-instrument wayfinding, Ocean conservation, Traditional navigation

2024

United States

biophotonics, medical imaging, optical imaging

2021

United States

Washington University in St. Louis; Harbin Institute of Technology; Caltech; Rice University Electrical and Computer Engineering

The organization focuses on advancing medical imaging technology, specifically in the field of photoacoustic imaging. They have developed innovative techniques such as Single-Impulse Panoramic Photoacoustic Computed Tomography (SIP-PACT), which offers high-resolution imaging for diagnosing diseases like cancer and understanding brain functions. Their research includes integrating photoswitchable phytochrome probes with photoacoustic tomography to achieve high sensitivity and multiscale imaging. They have also worked on PACT-guided microrobots for targeted navigation in intestines and photoacoustic microscopy for high-speed, high-resolution imaging of biological samples. The organization's work aims to revolutionize medical imaging by utilizing light to probe molecules directly, providing functional, metabolic, anatomical, histological, and molecular information in a safe and efficient manner. // PhD Degree // Washington University in St. Louis; Harbin Institute of Technology; Caltech; Rice University Electrical and Computer Engineering // Developing a new and effective skin disease diagnosis methodology for all populations regardless of skin color. This can address the inequity of dark-skinned patients who are often late or misdiagnosed for their dermatological disease. // Lei Li is a leading expert in advancing medical imaging technology, particularly in the field of photoacoustic imaging. Their innovative techniques, such as Single-Impulse Panoramic Photoacoustic Computed Tomography (SIP-PACT), have significantly contributed to high-resolution imaging for diagnosing diseases like cancer and understanding brain functions. Lei Li's research involves integrating photoswitchable phytochrome probes with photoacoustic tomography to achieve high sensitivity and multiscale imaging. They have also pioneered work on PACT-guided microrobots for targeted navigation in intestines and developed photoacoustic microscopy for high-speed, high-resolution imaging of biological samples. Lei Li's contributions aim to revolutionize medical imaging by utilizing light to directly probe molecules, offering comprehensive information in a safe and efficient manner. // Medical imaging innovator // Lei Li is currently a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Medical Engineering at Caltech. In 2019, he obtained his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Caltech. His overarching research goal is to develop new medical imaging technology that uses light to visualize brain functions and cancer progression. Toward this goal, he has developed advanced photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT)—an imaging modality that combines light and sound for deep-tissue imaging—to non-invasively visualize wholebody dynamics, study brain functions, detect tumor growth and metastasis, and navigate microrobots inside the body. He also shapes the benchtop system towards a wearable device. These works enable wide-range applications in neuroscience, cancer research, and clinical translation. He is now combining light, sound and artificial intelligence to detect early-stage cancer and better understand the brain. // Could we use the energy from light and sound to detect disease? TED Fellow Lei Li shares the exciting promise of photoacoustic imaging: an affordable, painless and accurate method of converting light into sound in order to create high-resolution images of what's going on inside our bodies. From early detection of breast cancer to steering medicine-delivering micro-robots, learn how this cutting-edge technology could open up a new world of possibility when it comes to seeing, tracking and diagnosing disease. // Lei Li is a leading expert in advancing medical imaging technology, particularly in the field of photoacoustic imaging. Their innovative techniques, such as Single-Impulse Panoramic Photoacoustic Computed Tomography (SIP-PACT), have significantly contributed to high-resolution imaging for diagnosing diseases like cancer and understanding brain functions. Lei Li's research involves integrating photoswitchable phytochrome probes with photoacoustic tomography to achieve high sensitivity and multiscale imaging. They have also pioneered work on PACT-guided microrobots for targeted navigation in intestines and developed photoacoustic microscopy for high-speed, high-resolution imaging of biological samples. Lei Li's contributions aim to revolutionize medical imaging by utilizing light to directly probe molecules, offering comprehensive information in a safe and efficient manner. // Medical imaging innovator // technology, research, inequity, optical imaging, data analysis, wearables, medical imaging, affordable, bioinformatics, electrical engineering, biophotonics, digital health, data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, disease // Texas|USA|Houston|California|United States|Pasadena

Texas|USA|Houston|California|United States|Pasadena

Non- Profit, Social entrepreneurship

2009

United States

2019

United States

Biotech entrepreneur // Computational biologist and founder of ReviveMed, a biotech company pioneering the use of artificial intelligence for drug discovery and treatment of metabolic diseases. // Experienced computational biologist and entrepreneur with a Ph.D. from MIT. Founder and CEO at ReviveMed, an award-winning, AI-driven drug discovery platform using metabolomics. // Many diseases are driven by metabolites -- small molecules in your body like fat, glucose and cholesterol -- but we don't know exactly what they are or how they work. Biotech entrepreneur and TED Fellow Leila Pirhaji shares her plan to build an AI-based network to characterize metabolite patterns, better understand how disease develops -- and discover more effective treatments. // Experienced computational biologist and entrepreneur with a Ph.D. from MIT. Founder and CEO at ReviveMed, an award-winning, AI-driven drug discovery platform using metabolomics. // Biotech entrepreneur // biotech, disease, artificial intelligence // Massachusetts|Cambridge|United States|USA

Massachusetts|Cambridge|United States|USA

Education Marketing and Communications, Entrepreneur educator, Venture Capital / Seed Financing

2009

India

Educator // Founder and director of Going to School, a creative nonprofit trust that makes magical movies, books and radio for children and young people in India. I've lived in India for 14 years, and I'm honored to say that we are reaching 300,000 children with the most beautiful entrepreneurial skills books we could have ever created. Designing a program to work today, in Government Secondary Schools in India, reaching children at scale to teach skills has been a challenge, but it's working. Our movies are on air nationwide and our risk capital fund provides up to $10,000 for young people who live in poverty to start businesses that they define - businesses that solve problems where they live, generate income and create jobs. Be! is a model for emerging market economies, to keep kids in school to learn skills, to provide capital to the poorest young people to create jobs and big movies to win massive public support. We'd like to take Be! to countries in Africa and South America next. // Lisa Heydlauff is the founder & director of Going to School, a creative non-profit trust based in New Delhi that makes media (movies, books, radio) for children to make education relevant to children’s lives and most importantly, lots of fun. Going to School’s journey began with the publication of the children’s book Going to School in India, a celebration of what school can be – from going to school in a tent in the middle of a mud desert, to going to school in the dark with solar lanterns. 500,000 mini books were distributed to Government schools and over 65 million children saw Going to School movies on National Geographic and POGO. Both the books and movies have won international awards. Most recently, Going to School created Girl Stars, 15 movies, books and radio episodes that create icons out of everyday women and girls who have changed their lives by completing their education. Extraordinary tales of ordinary girls, from Anita the Beekeeper to Kiran the Junkyard Dealer, Girl Stars was supported by UNICEF and has been aired on Doordarshan reaching 700 million people. Girl Stars stories have also been incorporated in textbooks that will reach 10 million children. Lisa grew up in England, Canada and the USA, and now calls India home. Going to School was inspired Oliver, age 7, who asked Lisa, his teacher, “What is it like to go to school in India?” Lisa promised that if she ever got the chance, she would find out. Going to School is currently hard at work on their next project, Be! an Entrepreneur – a multimedia project to inspire millions of young people from low income groups to choose to become entrepreneurs and to create businesses that solve the social, economic and environmental problems they face in their lives. // Lisa Heydlauff is the founder & director of Going to School, a creative non-profit trust based in New Delhi that makes media (movies, books, radio) for children to make education relevant to children’s lives and most importantly, lots of fun. Going to School’s journey began with the publication of the children’s book Going to School in India, a celebration of what school can be – from going to school in a tent in the middle of a mud desert, to going to school in the dark with solar lanterns. 500,000 mini books were distributed to Government schools and over 65 million children saw Going to School movies on National Geographic and POGO. Both the books and movies have won international awards. Most recently, Going to School created Girl Stars, 15 movies, books and radio episodes that create icons out of everyday women and girls who have changed their lives by completing their education. Extraordinary tales of ordinary girls, from Anita the Beekeeper to Kiran the Junkyard Dealer, Girl Stars was supported by UNICEF and has been aired on Doordarshan reaching 700 million people. Girl Stars stories have also been incorporated in textbooks that will reach 10 million children. Lisa grew up in England, Canada and the USA, and now calls India home. Going to School was inspired Oliver, age 7, who asked Lisa, his teacher, “What is it like to go to school in India?” Lisa promised that if she ever got the chance, she would find out. Going to School is currently hard at work on their next project, Be! an Entrepreneur – a multimedia project to inspire millions of young people from low income groups to choose to become entrepreneurs and to create businesses that solve the social, economic and environmental problems they face in their lives. // Educator // education marketing and communications, desert, education, entrepreneurship, jobs, finance, environmental policy and advocacy, policy, women, low income, advocacy, teachers, solar, children, girls, entrepreneur educator, bees, poverty, government, communication, income, venture capital / seed financing // India|New Delhi|Delhi

India|New Delhi|Delhi

2009

US

Filmmaker + educator // Logan Smalley is the founding director of TED’s youth and education initiative, <a href="ed.ted.com">TED-Ed</a> —an award-winning website, content format and program offering that serves millions of teachers and students every day. <br> Prior to working for TED, Logan was selected as a TED Fellow for his roles as director, editor and composer of the nonprofit, feature-length film, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2yoOlicmww">Darius Goes West</a> (28 film festival awards, 2007). Logan is also the creator and cofounder of <a href="www.callmeishmael.com">Call Me Ishmael</a> — a creative, participatory literary initiative that was an honoree for the National Book Foundation’s Innovations In Reading Prize in 2015. Logan began his career as a high school special education teacher in his hometown of Athens, GA, and he currently lives and works in New York City. // Founding & Executive Director of TED-Ed, co-creator of Callmeishmael.com and co-author of The Call Me Ishmael Phone Book, and Director of the documentary Darius Goes West (https://youtu.be/Sr5q9wRW9oo). TED Fellow 09’. // Founding & Executive Director of TED-Ed, co-creator of Callmeishmael.com and co-author of The Call Me Ishmael Phone Book, and Director of the documentary Darius Goes West (https://youtu.be/Sr5q9wRW9oo). TED Fellow 09’. // Filmmaker + educator // participatory, education, youth, documentary, teachers // New York|United States|USA

New York|United States|USA

communication, cross-disciplinary collaboration, data visualization, design, entrepreneurship, graphic design, urban research, visual culture

2010, 2012

United States

A&B Productions; In-House International; UCAB; Gopher Projects & Gopher Illustrated Magazine; Stanford University; Pl√°tanoverde Foundation; The University of Texas at Austin; Citymatter; In-House Intl. Creative; Pl√°tanoverde Magazine

In-House Intl is a branding consultancy based in Austin, TX, operating remotely since 2011. The team, consisting of Michu, Lope, Alex, and Luis, brings a diverse range of expertise, enabling them to solve problems effectively. They have developed strong internal processes that deliver groundbreaking branding results for clients. Partnering with expert collaborators worldwide, they focus on creating compelling brands for audacious clients in various industries. Their approach involves expert guidance, endless curiosity, insight-driven strategies, and designing brands that capture the essence of their clients. They offer services such as brand research, identity design, production, and creative leadership to support clients in unlocking their brand potential. // I design experiences to build a better, more beautiful world — no matter the media or resources. I'm lucky to have spent the past ten years leading creative teams and building partnerships around the world. This work has brought me great joy, numerous awards, and the opportunity to dive headfirst into the topics I feel most passionate about: design, culture, media and data. As the opportunities for creative industries evolve rapidly, so has been the updating of my design and innovation toolbox — to that end I finished a year of skill-sharpening as a media innovation researcher at Stanford University, and I'm currently a Creative Director at In-House International, where I scour the planet looking for talent and great opportunities to showcase its potential. I primarily work in graphic design, branding, editorial design, and web; but more recently I have become more interested in environmental design, motion graphics and data visualization projects. I love tackling difficult problems and the process of researching them, especially from a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary approach. And I equally enjoy translating those research findings into memorable, transformative experiences for users. I'm a Knight Fellow at Stanford, a Senior Fellow at TED Conferences, and a Vanguard Fellow at NextCity. • Portfolio: weareinhouse.com • Stanford University page: jsk.stanford.edu/fellows/class-of-2015/lope-gutierrez-ruiz // ● Boutique international design and communications firm; known for award-winning work in editorial design, branding, motion graphics. ● Co-founded studio, working with team to successfully expand core portfolio of clients and partners by over 300% in 24 months while diversifying its clientele. Clients include United Nations, Jeep, Samsung, TED Conferences, Nickelodeon, Government of Spain, Stanford University, the University of Texas at Austin, FCB, Rackspace. ● Managed globally distributed creative teams, leading high-involvement open-solution client projects, resulting in 98% on-time and on-budget project deliveries and 85% repeat business. // ● Media start-up covering highly local open gov data, city life media, to grow citizen engagement.● Directed research efforts with focus groups, international civic teams, and data stakeholders,resulting in development road-map and strategy and the deployment of a mobile app prototype.● Led expansion of team and partnerships, which included a White House Fellowship project; teams for data, design, and technical development, and a d.school course project team at Stanford.● Completed and developed a functional mobile prototype following a series of earlier trial models.● Headed UX / UI development and prototype creative briefs for mobile application. // ● Non-profit created to support the award-winning Por el Medio de la Calle festival (PMC), the largest music and visual arts event in Venezuela, taking up over 30+ blocks in downtown Caracas.● Co-directed and curated six editions of PMC Festival, driving 800% growth in attendance during my tenure; from 5,000 to 42,000 attendees.● Led logistics for the presentation of 600+ artists and performers, 300+ volunteers, vendors, diplomatic representation programs, special guests and security teams. Resulted in zero violent incidences or property damages in a notoriously dangerous city for the full five-year span.● Created partnerships with 10+ international cultural institutions and embassies, developing a program of workshops, exchanges, and performances directly impacting over 3,000 people. // ● Platanoverde is a print and digital publishing company, specialized in the promotion of emerging talent in visual arts from Spanish-speaking countries worldwide. ● Published and co-edited 15 editions of Platanoverde Magazine, a publication that set sales records in its market, generating over $600,000 in ad revenue and 30+ corporate partnerships.● Co-created highly influential, trendsetting newsletter platform that reached 18,000+ subscribers weekly with 25-30% open rate, the first of its kind on the Venezuelan market.● Led creative for the production of multimedia products, including music albums circulated with the magazine, online videos, and audio interviews. // ● A&B is one of the preeminent production houses in Latin America, with 100+ advertising awards and 25 years of experience producing TV spots, and short and feature-length films.● Piloted and launched A&B’s first portfolio website and created online presence guidelines for the brand, including development of multi-platform assets and original editorial content.● Assisted in coordinating with clients, designing presentations, creative briefings, outreach activities; and was involved in TV spot production for dozens of Fortune 100 clients. // ● Publishing company covering trends in design, culture and visual arts. ● Conceptualized and developed Gopher brand. Led art direction and content-through-distribution, directing 60+ contributors per issue of the award-winning print and digital magazine, which was sold in 8 countries by the second edition. ● Produced semi-annual live events to engage with readers and advertisers, averaging over 90% venue capacity. // ● Boutique international design and communications firm; known for award-winning work in editorial design, branding, motion graphics.● Co-founded studio, working with team to successfully expand core portfolio of clients and partners by over 300% in 24 months while diversifying its clientele. Clients include United Nations, Jeep, Samsung, TED Conferences, Nickelodeon, Government of Spain, Stanford University, the University of Texas at Austin, FCB, Rackspace.● Managed globally distributed creative teams, leading high-involvement open-solution client projects, resulting in 98% on-time and on-budget project deliveries and 85% repeat business. // ● Fellowship program focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in media.● Performed cross-departmental research on product design, prototyping, design thinking, enterprise growth, data analysis, media production; with emphasis on audience engagement.● Completed advanced coursework in multiple Stanford University departments and schools, including the Graduate School of Business, d.school, Computer Sciences, and Communications. // A&B Productions; In-House International; UCAB; Gopher Projects & Gopher Illustrated Magazine; Stanford University; Plátanoverde Foundation; The University of Texas at Austin; Citymatter; In-House Intl. Creative; Plátanoverde Magazine // Lope Gutierrez-Ruiz is a seasoned Creative Director with a passion for designing transformative experiences across various media platforms. With over a decade of experience leading creative teams globally, Lope has garnered numerous awards and recognition for their work in graphic design, branding, editorial design, and web development. Their expertise extends to environmental design, motion graphics, and data visualization projects. Lope's multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving, coupled with a keen interest in cross-cultural research, enables them to create memorable experiences for users. As a Knight Fellow at Stanford and a Senior Fellow at TED Conferences, Lope continues to push the boundaries of design innovation and user engagement. // OK; but this is a work-in-progress, as I have recently expanded into this work: I hope to help make the world a better place, by developing exhibitions, archives, and materials that showcase the awe-inspiring visual design work done across communities worldwide today, no matter their limitations. To make odes to the indefatigable power of human imagination. // Lope Gutierrez-Ruiz is a seasoned Creative Director with over a decade of experience in designing transformative experiences across various media platforms. Their expertise spans graphic design, branding, editorial design, web development, environmental design, motion graphics, and data visualization. Lope's multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving, combined with a passion for cross-cultural research, enables them to create memorable user experiences. As a Knight Fellow at Stanford and a Senior Fellow at TED Conferences, Lope has received numerous awards and recognition for their innovative work. They continue to push the boundaries of design innovation and user engagement, collaborating with global teams to deliver groundbreaking results in the field of branding and design. // Culture curator // Lope Gutiérrez-Ruiz [ Austin, USA / Caracas, VE ] – Venezuelan editor, writer and co-founder of Gopher Magazine, Gopher Projects, the Por el Medio de la Calle festival, and the Plátanoverde Foundation, a platform for emerging artists. Founding member and partner at In-House Int'l, a design and communications studio based in Austin, TX. // • TED Senior Fellow • JSK Fellow at Stanford University • Next City's "40 Under 40" Urban Leader • Co-Founder of open gov / hyperlocal media tool Citymatter • Parter at design studio In-House International • Partner at publisher Gopher Projects • Palo Alto, CA / Austin, TX // Lope Gutierrez-Ruiz is a seasoned Creative Director with over a decade of experience in designing transformative experiences across various media platforms. Their expertise spans graphic design, branding, editorial design, web development, environmental design, motion graphics, and data visualization. Lope's multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving, combined with a passion for cross-cultural research, enables them to create memorable user experiences. As a Knight Fellow at Stanford and a Senior Fellow at TED Conferences, Lope has received numerous awards and recognition for their innovative work. They continue to push the boundaries of design innovation and user engagement, collaborating with global teams to deliver groundbreaking results in the field of branding and design. // Culture curator // citizen engagement, entrepreneurship, visual culture, led, data, urban, research, typography, curator, design, volunteerism, cross-disciplinary, corporate partnerships, data visualization, data analysis, logistics, communication, government // Texas|USA|California|United States|Austin|Palo Alto

Texas|USA|California|United States|Austin|Palo Alto

Mars, astrobiology, geology, icy moons, space colonization

2013

United Kingdom

Astrobiologist // British astrobiologist and planetary geologist studying life in Earth's most extreme environments, hoping to someday find life on Mars. // Louisa is an astrobiologist, geologist, and author at the Natural History Museum in London. As a UK Space Agency Research Fellow her job is to study some of the Earth’s most extreme environments and the life (both human and microbe) that lives or once lived in them. She uses these sites as examples of the kind of places and types of life-forms we think might have once existed on Mars. She is also on the science team for the next European Space Agency Mars mission, the ExoMars 2020 rover ‘Rosalind Franklin’, which will drill into the crust of Mars searching for signatures of buried ancient life. Her other passion in life is writing, having written and contributed to four popular science books, with her own ‘Goldilocks and the Water Bears – The Search for Life in the Universe’ published by Bloomsbury in 2016. // Louisa is an astrobiologist, geologist, and author at the Natural History Museum in London. As a UK Space Agency Research Fellow her job is to study some of the Earth’s most extreme environments and the life (both human and microbe) that lives or once lived in them. She uses these sites as examples of the kind of places and types of life-forms we think might have once existed on Mars. She is also on the science team for the next European Space Agency Mars mission, the ExoMars 2020 rover ‘Rosalind Franklin’, which will drill into the crust of Mars searching for signatures of buried ancient life. Her other passion in life is writing, having written and contributed to four popular science books, with her own ‘Goldilocks and the Water Bears – The Search for Life in the Universe’ published by Bloomsbury in 2016. // Astrobiologist // research, water, science, astrobiology, mars, geology, icy moons, space colonization // United Kingdom|England|London

United Kingdom|England|London

2009

Cultural exchange evangelist // Lucas Welch is the President and Founder of Soliya, a nonprofit organization using social media technologies to develop a global network of young adults. Soliya's Connect Program is a unique cross-cultural education program that enables university students from around the world to engage in intensive facilitated dialogue as part of an accredited course. To date, over 50 universities in 20 countries have participated in Soliya's Connect Program.<br /><br />Prior to his work with Soliya, Welch was a producer for ABC News with Peter Jennings. He taught New Media at Birzeit University in the West Bank and was named a Global Expert by the U.N.'s Alliance of Civilizations Initiative. Welch has spoken at the World Economic Forum, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum, and the U.S.-Islamic World Forum. He has appeared on CNN International, Public Radio International and Al Jazeera. // Lucas is the President & Founder of Soliya – a nonprofit organization using new media technologies to develop a global network of young adults and empowering them to bridge the divide between Western & predominantly Muslim societies. The primary way in which Soliya achieves this goal is through its “Connect Program” – a unique cross-cultural education program that enables university students in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe & the United States to engage in intensive facilitated dialogue and collaborative media production, all in a rich online environment as part of an accredited course. To date, over 80 universities in over 25 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe & the United States have participated in Soliya’s Connect Program. Prior to his work with Soliya, Lucas worked as a producer for ABC News with Peter Jennings. He also taught “New Media” at Birzeit University in the West Bank, conducted research at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, and worked as the associate producer on “The Shape of the Future” – a documentary series produced in Arabic, Hebrew, English & French about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mr. Welch has spoken at the World Economic Forum, the UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum, the US-Islamic World Forum, and the International Youth Forum. He was recently named a TED Fellow and a “Global Expert” by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum. He has appeared on CNN International, Public Radio International and Al Jazeera amongst others. Lucas graduated with a B.A. from Brown University and was named one of the “world’s best emerging social entrepreneurs” by Echoing Green in 2004. // Lucas is the President & Founder of Soliya – a nonprofit organization using new media technologies to develop a global network of young adults and empowering them to bridge the divide between Western & predominantly Muslim societies. The primary way in which Soliya achieves this goal is through its “Connect Program” – a unique cross-cultural education program that enables university students in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe & the United States to engage in intensive facilitated dialogue and collaborative media production, all in a rich online environment as part of an accredited course. To date, over 80 universities in over 25 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe & the United States have participated in Soliya’s Connect Program. Prior to his work with Soliya, Lucas worked as a producer for ABC News with Peter Jennings. He also taught “New Media” at Birzeit University in the West Bank, conducted research at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, and worked as the associate producer on “The Shape of the Future” – a documentary series produced in Arabic, Hebrew, English & French about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mr. Welch has spoken at the World Economic Forum, the UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum, the US-Islamic World Forum, and the International Youth Forum. He was recently named a TED Fellow and a “Global Expert” by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum. He has appeared on CNN International, Public Radio International and Al Jazeera amongst others. Lucas graduated with a B.A. from Brown University and was named one of the “world’s best emerging social entrepreneurs” by Echoing Green in 2004. // Cultural exchange evangelist // technology, research, education, youth, documentary