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Biodiversity conservation, Climate change, Community-based conservation, Ecological justice, Human-wildlife conflict, Indigenous knowledge, Resource management, Sustainable livelihoods, Wildlife protection

2019

United Kingdom

University of Oxford; kAZA Carnivore Conservation Coalition; PANTHERA; University of Zimbabwe; Wildlife Conservation Action; The African Leadership University

Wildlife Conservation Action (WCA), founded in 2019, focuses on promoting human-wildlife coexistence in critical wildlife areas in Zimbabwe. The organization integrates indigenous knowledge and scientific expertise to address pressing threats faced by key species like lions and elephants due to habitat loss and conflict with humans. WCA conducts research to understand wildlife behavior, raise community awareness, and advise on fortifying livestock enclosures. Their projects aim to reduce human-wildlife conflict, increase community benefits from living alongside wildlife, and empower local communities with sustainable livelihoods. Through initiatives like the Nyaminyami and Mbire Human-wildlife Coexistence Projects, WCA works on HWC mitigation and monitoring, providing predator-proof cattle bomas, and collaborating // Conservationist and Scientist interested in the bigger picture of Wildlife Conservation. I am passionate about empowering and bringing indigenous communities and conservationists at the forefront of conservation efforts. I am also passionate about inspiring and building the capacity of the next generation of conservation leaders. I have been working in wildlife conservation since 2009 and have been involved in finding and applying innovative ways to tackle threats facing wildlife and wildlife areas and increase biological diversity. I am also working to promote human-wildlife coexistence and socio-economic development of communities living adjacent to wildlife areas. My research has mainly been focused on the ecology and conservation of large carnivores especially African lions. I am also interested in Protected Area Management, Community Development and Community Based Natural Resources Management, Role of Conservancies and Ranches in conservation, International Wildlife Trade and Human Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence. I have a DPhil in Zoology from the University of Oxford. Find out more about me here www.moreangelsmbizah.com // • Coordinating and supporting the activities of the Sebungwe Focal Working Group. • Being a conduit between the KAZA Carnivore Coalition Steering Committee and Focal Working Group members and assisting with the implementation of the consensus driven 5 year KAZA Carnivore Conservation Strategy. • Completing the rapid assessment of lion and other large carnivore abundance and distribution across the Sebungwe Landscape. • Identifying human-carnivore conflict hotspots across the Sebungwe and also identifying suitable mitigation schemes and the tools and approaches to reduce conflict to maintain habitat, connectivity pathways and reduce hotspot population sinks. • Supporting Panthera in camera trap and spoor surveys conducted at long-term leopard monitoring sites within the Sebungwe area. • Assessing the feasibility of the Gache-Gache corridor and other critical corridors in connecting wildlife populations in the mid and lower Zambezi Valley to the rest of the KAZA populations. • Supporting the Zambezi Society and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to implement the spatial monitoring and reporting tool SMART to monitor the effectiveness of their law enforcement efforts and develop an adaptive management approach to the deployment of their law enforcement resource. • Assisting the Zambezi Society with inventorying needed law enforcement capacity for Charara SA // -Carrying our spoor surveys in the whole of Hwange National Park twice per year-Collecting carnivore (lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog) faecal samples in the park and carrying out dietary analysis-Tracking lions and studying lion behavior and pride compositions -Investigating lion kill sites and recording kill species and habitat characteristics at kill sites -Monitoring conflict lions via satellite and participating in human wildlife conflict mitigation // • Coordinating and supporting the activities of the Sebungwe Focal Working Group. • Being a conduit between the KAZA Carnivore Coalition Steering Committee and Focal Working Group members and assisting with the implementation of the consensus driven 5 year KAZA Carnivore Conservation Strategy. • Completing the rapid assessment of lion and other large carnivore abundance and distribution across the Sebungwe Landscape. • Identifying human-carnivore conflict hotspots across the Sebungwe and also identifying suitable mitigation schemes and the tools and approaches to reduce conflict to maintain habitat, connectivity pathways and reduce hotspot population sinks.• Supporting Panthera in camera trap and spoor surveys conducted at long-term leopard monitoring sites within the Sebungwe area. • Assessing the feasibility of the Gache-Gache corridor and other critical corridors in connecting wildlife populations in the mid and lower Zambezi Valley to the rest of the KAZA populations. • Supporting the Zambezi Society and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to implement the spatial monitoring and reporting tool SMART to monitor the effectiveness of their law enforcement efforts and develop an adaptive management approach to the deployment of their law enforcement resource.• Assisting the Zambezi Society with inventorying needed law enforcement capacity for Charara SA // A conservation organisation using large carnivores, especially lions as flagship species to conserve biodiversity and promote human-wildlife coexistence // Working on various aspects of conservation including Protected Areas Management, Community development and Community based natural resources management, Role of Conservancies and Ranches in conservation, International wildlife trade and Poaching and Human wildlife conflict and ecology and conservation of large carnivores. // Giving tutorials, talks and seminars to the Undergraduates at ALU Rwanda and the Conservation Leadership MBA student. Inspiring and motivating the next generation of African leaders. // University of Oxford; kAZA Carnivore Conservation Coalition; PANTHERA; University of Zimbabwe; Wildlife Conservation Action; The African Leadership University // Moreangels Mbizah is a Conservationist and Scientist with a strong focus on Wildlife Conservation. With a DPhil in Zoology from the University of Oxford, Moreangels has been actively involved in wildlife conservation since 2009. Their work revolves around finding innovative solutions to address threats facing wildlife and biodiversity, particularly large carnivores like African lions. Moreangels is dedicated to promoting human-wildlife coexistence, community development, and sustainable natural resource management. They have extensive experience in coordinating conservation activities, conducting research on carnivore ecology, and implementing strategies to mitigate human-carnivore conflicts. Moreangels is also passionate about inspiring and mentoring the next generation of conservation leaders. // My work is around community-led conservation and finding ways for people and wildlife to coexist for improved community livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. I am also working towards inclusion, justice and equity around conservation issues. // Moreangels Mbizah is a dedicated Conservationist and Scientist specializing in Wildlife Conservation. Holding a DPhil in Zoology from the University of Oxford, Moreangels has been actively engaged in conservation efforts since 2009. Their work primarily focuses on addressing threats to wildlife and biodiversity, with a particular emphasis on large carnivores such as African lions. Moreangels is committed to promoting human-wildlife coexistence, community development, and sustainable natural resource management. They have a wealth of experience in coordinating conservation projects, conducting research on carnivore ecology, and implementing strategies to mitigate human-carnivore conflicts. Moreangels is also deeply passionate about fostering the next generation of conservation leaders and advocating for inclusion, justice, and equity in conservation initiatives. // Lion conservationist // Conservation biologist developing innovative community-based conservation methods to protect lions and their habitat. // I am a Conservationist and Scientist interested in the bigger picture of Wildlife Conservation. I am passionate about empowering and bringing indigenous communities and conservationists at the forefront of conservation efforts. I am also passionate about inspiring and building the capacity of the next generation of African conservation leaders. I have been working in wildlife conservation since 2009 and have been involved in finding and applying innovative ways to tackle threats facing wildlife and wildlife areas and increase biological diversity. I am also working to promote human-wildlife coexistence and socio-economic development of communities living adjacent to wildlife areas. My research has mainly been focused on the ecology and conservation of large carnivores especially African lions. I am also interested in Protected Area Management, Community Development and Community Based Natural Resources Management, Role of Conservancies and Ranches in conservation, International Wildlife Trade and Human Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence. I am also founder of the Indigenous Conservationists Alliance www.indigenousconservationists.org which seeks to bring together all indigenous conservationists under a single platform to connect, share ideas, collaborate, be inspired, motivate, and be accessible to potential partners and funders. // Conservationist and TED Fellow Moreangels Mbizah studied the famous Cecil the lion until he was shot by a trophy hunter in 2015. She wonders how things could've gone differently, asking: "What if the community that lived next to Cecil was involved in protecting him?" In a quick talk, Mbizah shares the state of conservation in her home of Zimbabwe -- and why she thinks that communities living with wildlife are the ones best positioned to help them. // Moreangels Mbizah is a dedicated Conservationist and Scientist specializing in Wildlife Conservation. Holding a DPhil in Zoology from the University of Oxford, Moreangels has been actively engaged in conservation efforts since 2009. Their work primarily focuses on addressing threats to wildlife and biodiversity, with a particular emphasis on large carnivores such as African lions. Moreangels is committed to promoting human-wildlife coexistence, community development, and sustainable natural resource management. They have a wealth of experience in coordinating conservation projects, conducting research on carnivore ecology, and implementing strategies to mitigate human-carnivore conflicts. Moreangels is also deeply passionate about fostering the next generation of conservation leaders and advocating for inclusion, justice, and equity in conservation initiatives. // Lion conservationist // human-wildlife conflict, biodiversity, data, habitat, geospatial analysis, research, communities, inclusion, indigenous knowledge, climate, natural protected areas, natural resources, conservation leaders, species, wildlife protection, monitoring, conservation advocacy, resource management, satellite, livelihoods, mitigation, parks, wildlife, data analysis, climate change, community development, ranching, advocacy, natural resource management, conservation, livestock, community-based conservation, science, indigenous, environmental conservation, sustainable livelihoods, law, biological conservation, international wildlife trade, habitat loss, local communities, justice, ecology, resources management // Harare|Zimbabwe|Harare Province

Harare|Zimbabwe|Harare Province

Astrodynamics, Data Analytics, Data Science, Multi-Source Information Fusion, Orbit Determination and Prediction, Space Situational Awareness, Space Surveillance

2019

France

Space evironmentalist // Astrodynamicist tracking and monitoring satellites and space garbage to make outer space safe, secure and sustainable for future generations. // Moriba Jah, holder of the Mrs. Pearlie Dashiell Henderson Centennial Fellowship in Engineering, is the director for Computational Astronautical Sciences and Technologies (CAST), a group within the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also the Lead for the Space Security and Safety Program at the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law. Moriba came to UT Austin by way of the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory prior to that, where he was a Spacecraft Navigator on a handful of Mars missions. Moriba is a Fellow of multiple organizations: TED, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), American Astronautical Society (AAS), International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS), Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). He has served on the US delegation to the United Nations Committee On Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS), is an elected Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and has testified to congress on his work as related to Space Situational Awareness and Space Traffic Management. He’s an Associate Editor of the Elsevier Advances in Space Research journal, and serves on multiple committees: IAA Space Debris, AIAA Astrodynamics, IAF Astrodynamics, and IAF Space Security. // "Most of what we send into outer space never comes back," says astrodynamicist and TED Fellow Moriba Jah. In this forward-thinking talk, Jah describes the space highways orbiting earth and how they're mostly populated by space junk. Learn more about his quest to develop and scale the world's first crowdsourced space traffic monitoring system -- and how it could help solve the debris problem in near-earth space. // Moriba Jah, holder of the Mrs. Pearlie Dashiell Henderson Centennial Fellowship in Engineering, is the director for Computational Astronautical Sciences and Technologies (CAST), a group within the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also the Lead for the Space Security and Safety Program at the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law. Moriba came to UT Austin by way of the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory prior to that, where he was a Spacecraft Navigator on a handful of Mars missions. Moriba is a Fellow of multiple organizations: TED, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), American Astronautical Society (AAS), International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS), Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). He has served on the US delegation to the United Nations Committee On Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS), is an elected Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and has testified to congress on his work as related to Space Situational Awareness and Space Traffic Management. He’s an Associate Editor of the Elsevier Advances in Space Research journal, and serves on multiple committees: IAA Space Debris, AIAA Astrodynamics, IAF Astrodynamics, and IAF Space Security. // Space evironmentalist // technology, space surveillance, space situational awareness, traffic, propulsion, traffic management, data, astrodynamics, research, data and analytics, orbit determination and prediction, multi-source information fusion, monitoring, fusion, data analytics, data science, science, law // Texas|Austin|United States|USA

Texas|Austin|United States|USA

2019

United States

Musician // Musician and cultural entrepreneur fusing traditional drum patterns and modern styles such as hip-hop and reggae to create the sound of “African cool.” // In a hopeful talk followed by an empowering performance, musician and TED Fellow Muthoni Drummer Queen shares how industries like music, film and fashion provide a platform for Africans to broadcast their rich and diverse talents -- and explains how the shared experience of creativity can replace attitudes of exclusionism and othering with acceptance and self-love. // Musician and cultural entrepreneur fusing traditional drum patterns and modern styles such as hip-hop and reggae to create the sound of “African cool.” // Musician

2009

India

Mobile health innovator // CEO and founder of mDhil, a startup providing basic health information via desktop and mobile in India // Nandu Madhava – is the CEO and Founder of mDhil, a social impact start-up which provides basic health information over mobile phones in India. Since launching in March 2009, mDhil has reached over 150,000 paid users and is currently expanding services in preventative care, diabetes, & reproductive health information. Previously, he was part of the management team at OfficeTiger, a Chennai-based Business Process Outsourcing firm acquired by RR Donnelley. Nandu was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic, where he worked on technology development issues and assisted foreign doctors with medical clinics in local communities. Nandu later worked at Goldman Sachs & UBS in asset management roles where he was part of a 3-member team that managed over $1 billion in diversified assets. He is an undergraduate of the University of Texas and received his MBA from Harvard Business School. // Nandu Madhava – is the CEO and Founder of mDhil, a social impact start-up which provides basic health information over mobile phones in India. Since launching in March 2009, mDhil has reached over 150,000 paid users and is currently expanding services in preventative care, diabetes, & reproductive health information. Previously, he was part of the management team at OfficeTiger, a Chennai-based Business Process Outsourcing firm acquired by RR Donnelley. Nandu was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic, where he worked on technology development issues and assisted foreign doctors with medical clinics in local communities. Nandu later worked at Goldman Sachs & UBS in asset management roles where he was part of a 3-member team that managed over $1 billion in diversified assets. He is an undergraduate of the University of Texas and received his MBA from Harvard Business School. // Mobile health innovator // technology, mobile phones, volunteerism, local communities // Bangalore|Bengaluru|India|Karnataka

Bangalore|Bengaluru|India|Karnataka

2019

United States

Documentary filmmaker // Documentary filmmaker uncovering stories of human rights and untold histories in China through a characteristic immersive approach. // Nanfu Wang is a Chinese filmmaker based in New York City. She directed, produced, filmed, and edited feature documentaries Hooligan Sparrow (Sundance 2016, shortlisted for the 2017 Academy Award for Best documentary feature), I Am Another You (SXSW 2017, Special Jury Prize winner), and One Child Nation (Sundance 2019, Grand Jury Prize Winner). Wang has won over twenty awards, including a Peabody Award, a Cinema Eye Honor, a George Polk Award, an IDA award, and an Independent Spirit Award. Wang teaches editing at the School of Visual Arts as well as cinematography at New York University. // China's one-child policy ended in 2015, but we're just beginning to understand what it was like to live under the program, says TED Fellow and documentary filmmaker Nanfu Wang. With footage from her film "One Child Nation," she shares untold stories that reveal the policy's complex consequences and expose the creeping power of propaganda. // Nanfu Wang is a Chinese filmmaker based in New York City. She directed, produced, filmed, and edited feature documentaries Hooligan Sparrow (Sundance 2016, shortlisted for the 2017 Academy Award for Best documentary feature), I Am Another You (SXSW 2017, Special Jury Prize winner), and One Child Nation (Sundance 2019, Grand Jury Prize Winner). Wang has won over twenty awards, including a Peabody Award, a Cinema Eye Honor, a George Polk Award, an IDA award, and an Independent Spirit Award. Wang teaches editing at the School of Visual Arts as well as cinematography at New York University. // Documentary filmmaker // children, human rights, rights, expose, policy, documentary

Burma Affairs, Human Rights Activist

2009

United Kingdom

Human rights activist // Zoya Phan is International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK. Zoya is one of the leading Burmese democracy activists in Europe. She has met with the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other senior politicians from around the world to urge them to take action on Burma. She is regularly featured in national and international media including BBC, CNN, ABC and Al Jazeera. Zoya is from the Karen ethnic group in Burma. When she was fourteen, Burmese army soldiers attacked her village, and she and her family were forced to flee. They hid in the jungle for weeks before finding their way to a refugee camp in Thailand. She is now a refugee living in London. In 2008 Zoya Phan and her family founded the Phan Foundation, which provides aid for the Karen people, protects Karen culture and promotes human rights. Zoya is also on the board of Austria Burma Center, and Secretary of the Karen Community Association UK. Her autobiography Little Daughter was published in April 2009. // Zoya Phan is International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK. Zoya is one of the leading Burmese democracy activists in Europe. She has met with the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and other senior politicians from around the world, to urge them to take action on Burma. She is regularly features in national and international media including BBC, CNN, ABC and Al Jazeera. Zoya is from the Karen ethnic group in Burma. When she was 14 Burmese army soldiers attacked her village, and she and her family were forced to flee. They hid in the jungle for weeks before finding their way to a refugee camp in Thailand. She is now a refugee living in London. In 2008 Zoya Phan and her family founded the Phan Foundation, which provides aid for the Karen people, protects Karen culture and promotes human rights. Zoya is also on the board of Austria Burma Center, and Secretary of the Karen Community Association UK. Her autobiography “Little Daughter” was published by Simon and Schuster in April 2009. // Zoya Phan is International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK. Zoya is one of the leading Burmese democracy activists in Europe. She has met with the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and other senior politicians from around the world, to urge them to take action on Burma. She is regularly features in national and international media including BBC, CNN, ABC and Al Jazeera. Zoya is from the Karen ethnic group in Burma. When she was 14 Burmese army soldiers attacked her village, and she and her family were forced to flee. They hid in the jungle for weeks before finding their way to a refugee camp in Thailand. She is now a refugee living in London. In 2008 Zoya Phan and her family founded the Phan Foundation, which provides aid for the Karen people, protects Karen culture and promotes human rights. Zoya is also on the board of Austria Burma Center, and Secretary of the Karen Community Association UK. Her autobiography “Little Daughter” was published by Simon and Schuster in April 2009. // Human rights activist // activism, human rights, rights, burma affairs, human rights activist, community engagement, refugees, campaigns, migration // United Kingdom|England|London

United Kingdom|England|London

2020

United States

Transportation activist // Kenya's minibuses -- known as "matatus" -- offer a convenient, affordable and colorful way for people to get around. But they also pose safety risks and accessibility issues for many of their passengers, especially women. Bringing a feminist perspective, activist and TED Fellow Naomi Mwaura calls for a revolution in public transportation by making routes transparent, protecting passengers from harassment and paving a career path for women in the industry. // Transportation activist // transit, public transit, activism, mobility, accessibility, affordable, transportation, women

2010, 2009

United States

Art activist // Founder, One Million Bones, a large-scale social activism art installation. Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Art of Revolution. // Naomi Natale is an installation artist, photographer, and social activist. She is most interested in using art to bring about and inspire social change. She accomplishes this by creating and directing large-scale art installations that engage hundreds and thousands of artists, activists and children to act on behalf of a social cause. Naomi believes that by inspiring action through art, you can change the world one person at a time. She is the founder and director of The Cradle Project, a fundraising art installation designed to call attention to the plight of the estimated 48 million children orphaned by disease and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Using the symbolism of empty cradles to represent the lost potential of these orphans, The Cradle Project was designed to provoke art into action. Over 550 cradles were created –using solely scrap, discarded and recycled materials¬– and donated by artists from around the world who were drawn to the project’s vision. www.thecradleproject.org Currently, Naomi is the founder and director of a new project titled, One Million Bones, a fundraising art installation designed to recognize the millions of victims killed or displaced by present genocides. www.onemillionbones.org // Naomi Natale is an installation artist, photographer, and social activist. She is most interested in using art to bring about and inspire social change. She accomplishes this by creating and directing large-scale art installations that engage hundreds and thousands of artists, activists and children to act on behalf of a social cause. Naomi believes that by inspiring action through art, you can change the world one person at a time. She is the founder and director of The Cradle Project, a fundraising art installation designed to call attention to the plight of the estimated 48 million children orphaned by disease and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Using the symbolism of empty cradles to represent the lost potential of these orphans, The Cradle Project was designed to provoke art into action. Over 550 cradles were created –using solely scrap, discarded and recycled materials¬– and donated by artists from around the world who were drawn to the project’s vision. www.thecradleproject.org Currently, Naomi is the founder and director of a new project titled, One Million Bones, a fundraising art installation designed to recognize the millions of victims killed or displaced by present genocides. www.onemillionbones.org // Art activist // children, activism, poverty, recycling, disease // New Mexico|United States|Albuquerque|USA

New Mexico|United States|Albuquerque|USA

COVID-19, Combatting Misinformation/Disinformation, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Cuba, MENA region, Sex Ed, TED Talks, curating conferences, diagnosing courage, ecovillages, executive leadership, global women's health, humanitarian work, public health, refugee integration, regenerative communities, reproductive rights, running for peace, single motherhood, speaker coaching, writing novels

2009

United States

World Health Organization; University of Washington; Harvard Medical School; Wellesley College; Jhpiego; TEDMED; MEDICC - Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba; Country Doctor Community Health Clinics; Just Human Productions; Arc Health; TED Conferences; RoundGlass; ZocDoc

Nassim Assefi is a physician, global health specialist, health tech strategist, content curator, civic innovator, and novelist. She has a diverse background in internal medicine, gynecology, psychiatry, human rights, and public health. Nassim has worked on various projects ranging from COVID-19 advising to primary care health strategies for low-income countries and human rights medicine. She has authored novels exploring complex themes and has experience in academic and consulting roles. Nassim has a strong presence in global health missions and has lived in multiple countries across continents. She is a TED fellow and has received several awards and fellowships for her work. // As a global health physician, novelist, creative curator, and civic activist, I live at the intersection of many worlds. My primary care doctoring is a blend of internal medicine, gynecology, psychiatry, and travel medicine. During the pandemic, I was a full-time primary care doctor at Lummi Nation in 2021. My novels (Aria, published by Harcourt and 5 other foreign language presses, and forthcoming Kabubble) aim to bridge the gaps between East and West. In the fall of 2018, I returned from a blissful, year-long, creative sabbatical, during which time I was a visiting professor at Nagasaki University's School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health and immersed in Arabic study in Morocco. I loved it so much that I returned to Rabat as a base for my global health and refugee integration work. During a year home in the US, I was a medical and strategic advisor at a well-being company with a portfolio of 30+ projects, a perfect fit for a philomath with a broad background who loves big-picture thinking. My long-term dream is to design a regenerative village project that integrates refugees/migrants and studies how diverse, vulnerable populations can thrive together in a sustainable, rural context. My last big creative job was as Director of Stage Content for TEDMED, leading speaker and performer selection and coaching for TEDMED's annual event. I also consult in the health-tech sector and for global health organizations, defend human rights in a medical context, write and speak, and volunteer with the TED conferences (I've been a TEDGlobal Fellow since 2009). More distant past incarnations include: medical academic at the University of Washington in Seattle, health development worker (and underground salsa dance teacher) in Afghanistan, aspiring musician in Cuba, and artistic nomad in Turkey. // Advisor to on-boarding of medical specialties and individual practitioners, general medical counsel // I have curated a large TEDx (TEDxRainier in 2010), advised (in 2011-12) and emceed TEDxRainier (in 2012), nominated chosen speakers for TEDGlobal (2010-present), curated selections at the TEDGlobal bookstore in 2011, judged an Ads Worth Spreading competition and arts prize, organized a TEDFellows retreat, and occasionally advise TEDMED. // Leads speaker curation team for the health and medicine edition of the TED conferences (TEDMED), including co-directing the Editorial Advisory Board, coaching speakers on talk development and performance, and overall creative design of the stage program. // World Health Organization; University of Washington; Harvard Medical School; Wellesley College; Jhpiego; TEDMED; MEDICC - Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba; Country Doctor Community Health Clinics; Just Human Productions; Arc Health; TED Conferences; RoundGlass; ZocDoc // Nassim Assefi is a versatile professional with a diverse background in global health, creative writing, curation, and civic activism. With expertise in internal medicine, gynecology, psychiatry, and travel medicine, Nassim has served as a primary care doctor at Lummi Nation during the pandemic. As a published novelist and creative curator, Nassim aims to bridge cultural divides through literary works like "Aria" and upcoming projects. With experience as a visiting professor at Nagasaki University and a background in refugee integration work, Nassim is passionate about designing regenerative projects that support vulnerable populations. Additionally, Nassim has a strong presence in the TED community, having curated TEDx events, advised TED speakers, and led speaker curation for TEDMED, showcasing a commitment to advancing ideas in health and medicine. // 1: I'm trying to improve women's health and sexual and reproductive rights for all. Target areas: US, MENA region, Latin America. Impact is hard to measure since I have a portfolio career and do so many different things. The throughlines have been consistent but the metrics aren't. Do you count views of my TEDEd talk (over 3 million; 2nd one about to be published)? Number of abortions done? Number of students taught to do abortions? etc. 2: to be a conscious and outspoken global citizen whose art and activism can take on humanitarian colonialism (subject of my 2nd novel and film), women's rights worldwide (esp Iran and Afghanistan and the US), build international community, and educate. // Dr. Nassim Assefi is a multi-talented professional with a diverse skill set spanning global health, creative writing, curation, and civic activism. With a background in internal medicine, gynecology, psychiatry, and travel medicine, she has contributed significantly to primary care efforts during the pandemic, notably at Lummi Nation. As a published novelist and creative curator, Nassim uses her literary works, such as "Aria," to bridge cultural divides and advocate for women's health and rights globally. Her commitment to supporting vulnerable populations is evident through her work in refugee integration and designing regenerative projects. With a strong presence in the TED community, Nassim's efforts in curating events and advising speakers demonstrate her dedication to advancing ideas in health and medicine on a global scale. // global women's health specialist // Nassim Assefi, MD is a novelist, women’s health specialist, creative curator, civic activist, and thrillionaire currently serving as Director of Stage Content for TEDMED. Past incarnations include: medical academic in Seattle, humanitarian aid worker (and underground salsa dance teacher) in Kabul, aspiring musician in Havana and writer in Istanbul. She is the author of Aria (Harcourt 2007, audiobook in 2013 & 5 foreign translations) and Say I Am You (forthcoming, about the promises and perils of humanitarianism in Afghanistan). Other projects have included: defending prisoners' rights to basic health care (with the Public Interest Law Group), caring for vulnerable urban patients at The Country Doctor Community Health Clinics, doing pro-bono torture evaluations of refugees seeking political asylum, medical advising at health care start-up ZocDoc, serving on advisory boards for Hedgebrook and Afghan Vision Network, and passionate projects as a TEDGlobal Fellow and TEDx organizer. Nassim is a graduate of Wellesley College, University of Washington Medical School, and Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s residency program. A second generation Iranian-American, bridge-builder and global-nomad, she has traveled to more than 50 countries and speaks and sometimes sings in five languages. She is a 2011 Jack Straw Writing Fellow, was recently given a Woman of Courage award by the University of Washington, and was named one of the top 40 under 40 feminists by Feminist Press. // TED Fellow Nassim Assefi is a physician, global health specialist, content curator, health tech consultant, civic entrepreneur, and novelist who enjoys living at the intersection of many worlds. Her most passionate project is to reimagine the "refugee crisis" in Europe as an opportunity to reinvent rural livelihoods. Her doctoring is a blend of internal medicine, gynecology, psychiatry, human rights, and public health. Her consulting work ranges from primary health care and development strategies for the low income world to health tech start-ups and COVID-19 occupational safety. Her novels (Aria, published by Harcourt and translated into 5 other languages, and forthcoming Kabubble) explore complex issues like grief and humanitarianism. A second generation Iranian-American and soloist parent based in Seattle, Nassim has traveled to more than 60 countries and has lived on the 5 major continents. When asked the inevitable "What do you do?" question, Nassim has fun making up futuristic-sounding job titles like philomath, expert generalist, social justice entrepreneur, and thrillionaire. Thanks to a TEDGlobal Fellowship in 2009, Nassim was introduced to TED's remarkable, worldwide ideas community and has been a diehard TEDHead ever since then. She is living her best life in North Africa, possibly her forever home. // Dr. Nassim Assefi is a multi-talented professional with a diverse skill set spanning global health, creative writing, curation, and civic activism. With a background in internal medicine, gynecology, psychiatry, and travel medicine, she has contributed significantly to primary care efforts during the pandemic, notably at Lummi Nation. As a published novelist and creative curator, Nassim uses her literary works, such as "Aria," to bridge cultural divides and advocate for women's health and rights globally. Her commitment to supporting vulnerable populations is evident through her work in refugee integration and designing regenerative projects. With a strong presence in the TED community, Nassim's efforts in curating events and advising speakers demonstrate her dedication to advancing ideas in health and medicine on a global scale. // global women's health specialist // technology, creative curator, turkey, education, refugee crisis, ecovillages, public health, diagnosing courage, curating conferences, mena region, urban, running for peace, afghanistan, research, speaker coaching, activism, human rights, design, rights, women's rights, speaker coach, volunteerism, tech tech strategist, refugees, physician, covid, women, humanitarian, migration, livelihoods, regenerative, low income, covid-19, women's health, teachers, public interest law, social justice, global women's health, global health, intentional communities, rural, single motherhood, cuba, writing novels, novelist, reproductive rights, law, vulnerability, refugee integration, iran, pandemic, justice, income, capacity building // Morocco|Seattle|USA|Washington|Rabat|United States

Morocco|Seattle|USA|Washington|Rabat|United States

Art and Science Collaborations, Data Visualization, STEM, sculpture

2011

United States

Weather artist // I explore the intersection of art and science by translating scientific data related to meteorology, ecology and oceanography into woven sculptures and musical scores/ performances. My main method of data translation is that of basket weaving, which functions as a simple, tactile grid through which to interpret data into 3D space. Central to this work is my desire to explore the role visual and musical aesthetics play in the translation and understanding of complex scientific systems, such as weather. By utilizing artistic processes and everyday materials, I am questioning and expanding the traditional boundaries through which science data has been visually translated (ex: graphs, diagrams), while at the same time provoking expectations of what kind of visual vocabulary is considered to be in the domain of ‘science’ or ‘art’. I am the recipient of numerous awards and residencies, including a Pollock-Krasner Award, TED Global Fellowship, Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowship and a recent nomination for the 2012 World Technology Award as well as numerous artist residency grants. My work has been shown in the US and abroad and has been reviewed by publications spanning fine arts, craft, design, and technology. I live and work in Boston (USA). My secret other life aside from sculpture is LEGOS and reading books in German. // Nathalie Miebach translates scientific data related to ecology, climate change and meteorology into three-dimensional structures. Her main method of translation is principally that of basket weaving, which functions as a simple grid through which to interpret data in three-dimensional space. A fundamental player in the translation process is PLAY, and how its visual manifestations can be used to question and expand the traditional boundaries through which scientific information has been visually translated and understood. Nathalie Miebach holds a Master of Art Education and Master of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art, MA. She is the recipient of numerous awards and residencies and has been shown in the US and Europe. Her work bridges over to many other disciplines such as science, data visualization and technology, which has been written about in several publications including Art In America, Art News, Sculpture Magazine, Wired and several international design magazines. // Artist Nathalie Miebach takes weather data from massive storms and turns it into complex sculptures that embody the forces of nature and time. These sculptures then become musical scores for a string quartet to play. // Nathalie Miebach translates scientific data related to ecology, climate change and meteorology into three-dimensional structures. Her main method of translation is principally that of basket weaving, which functions as a simple grid through which to interpret data in three-dimensional space. A fundamental player in the translation process is PLAY, and how its visual manifestations can be used to question and expand the traditional boundaries through which scientific information has been visually translated and understood. Nathalie Miebach holds a Master of Art Education and Master of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art, MA. She is the recipient of numerous awards and residencies and has been shown in the US and Europe. Her work bridges over to many other disciplines such as science, data visualization and technology, which has been written about in several publications including Art In America, Art News, Sculpture Magazine, Wired and several international design magazines. // Weather artist // technology, education, data, sculpture, weather data, climate, design, weather, storms, hurricanes and tornadoes, stem, data visualization, extreme weather, nature, science, art and science collaborations, hurricanes, oceanography, ecology // Boston|Massachusetts|United States|USA

Boston|Massachusetts|United States|USA

Engineering, Technological Innovation, Technology Management, Technology in Education

2010

United States

Engineer + technology economist // Engineer, inventor, author and founder of the African Institution of Technology, an organization seeking to develop microelectronics in Africa // Ndubuisi Ekekwe - "a doctor of innovation" Ndubuisi Ekekwe holds two doctoral and four master’s degrees, including a PhD in electrical and computer engineering from the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore and MBA from University of Calabar, Nigeria, by March 2009. He founded Ultinet Systems-an IT & telephony firm- and formerly held the title of Banking Executive with Diamond Bank Plc, Lagos. He is the Founder of the non-profit African Institution of Technology and has held visiting positions in three African universities. A US semiconductor industry veteran, he blogs at Harvard Business Review site. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Babcock University, Nigeria. He authored/edited four major books: Adaptive Application-Specific Instrumentation and Control Microsystem; Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy: Corrosion Behavior Application; Nanotechnology and Microelectronics: Global Diffusion, Economics and Policy (won IGI Global 2010 Excellence in Technology Research ‘Book of the Year’ Award.); and Disruptive Technologies, Innovation and Global Redesign: Emerging Implications . An inventor, he holds a US Patent on microchip used in minimally invasive surgical robots and has authored many journal and conference papers. As a student, he worked on the NASA Jet Propulsion project- distribution of HV and HF in the space environment. Dr. Ekekwe has organized more than thirty five seminars and workshops on technology design, innovation and diffusion across Africa for schools, small firms and governments. He obtained BEng electrical & electronics engineering from Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria (FUTO, Aug 1998) where he finished top of his class. As Director of Research of a student body, he helped installed a students-designed and -managed Campus-wide FM Radio Station (one of few in Africa). Also in FUTO, he founded, edited and published FUTO Bubbles- a campus newsmagazine. It was in its debut edition that Prof SOE Ogbogu said: "there are two universities in Nigeria: FUTO and others'. Dr Ekekwe was also a member of the Students Union Constitution Review Committee. He is highly awarded. And some of his awards/fellowships include: Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering fellowship, United States National Science Foundation ERC fellowship, Jay D Samstag fellowship, United Kingdom Congress on Computer Assisted Orthopedic Surgery fellowship, United States Electrical Manuf. & Coil Winding Association scholarship, University Scholar (FUTO), Johns Hopkins Institutions Diversity Recognition Award (nominee), TED fellowship, Visiting Fellow (IUO, Nigeria), Grandeur Magazine's one of Nigeria's Most Influential Youth of the 21st Century, Harvard Business School & Hess 1978 Fund Ex-Ed scholarship, etc. In May 2009, he became the youngest scholar to deliver Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria (15th) Public Lecture of the University. Ndubuisi served in the United States National Science Foundation ERC/CISST E&D committee for four years. He was a panelist on Knowledge Industry in Africa in 2010 Wharton Business School African Business Forum, a speaker at 2010 TEDxChange Amsterdam, a knowledge expert in United Nations 2010 Lessons Learned Workshop for 5 African Countries (Freetown), plus numerous technical conferences including ISSCC, ISCAS, etc. He spoke in 2011 in Vietnam Education Foundation conference and Harvard Business School African Business Conference. He has participated as a speaker in New York Forum Africa, MIT Sloan Africa Innovate, Babson University Africa Business Club, BBC World Service, Tech4Africa, Africa4IT conference (keynote), Carnegie Mellon University, etc. Prof Ekekwe, featured in Marquis' Who's Who in America, is ex-Chair, IEEE Boston GOLD Executive Committee, and now PACE Chair. He is a Non-executive Board member of Temple & Aegeandas- an investment banking firm in Lagos (Nigeria); Founder/Non-Executive Chair, Board of Directors, First Atlantic Semiconductors & Microelectronics Ltd (Fasmicro), Nigeria; and Founding Board member of Germany-based Afriscience. In 2009, the Nigerian government nominated him to the ($180m grant) World Bank-Nigeria STEPB Int'l Advisory Board. Dr Ekekwe was selected as a "New Generation Leaders for Africa" by African Leadership Network in 2012. The African Innovator Magazine from the respected IT News Africa Publication calls Dr Ekekwe "A doctor of Innovation". He made the Nigeria Book of Records as one of the 52 Nigerian Most Influential Youth of the 21st Century as the nation celebrates its 52nd birthday. In August 2011, he received a commendation letter from the Nigerian Presidency for pioneering microelectronics programs in the country. He authored Nigeria's Vision 2020 Microelectronics thematic area and holds all-time best GCE/SSCE result of STS, Ovim, Nigeria. // Ndubuisi Ekekwe - "a doctor of innovation" Ndubuisi Ekekwe holds two doctoral and four master’s degrees, including a PhD in electrical and computer engineering from the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore and MBA from University of Calabar, Nigeria, by March 2009. He founded Ultinet Systems-an IT & telephony firm- and formerly held the title of Banking Executive with Diamond Bank Plc, Lagos. He is the Founder of the non-profit African Institution of Technology and has held visiting positions in three African universities. A US semiconductor industry veteran, he blogs at Harvard Business Review site. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Babcock University, Nigeria. He authored/edited four major books: Adaptive Application-Specific Instrumentation and Control Microsystem; Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy: Corrosion Behavior Application; Nanotechnology and Microelectronics: Global Diffusion, Economics and Policy (won IGI Global 2010 Excellence in Technology Research ‘Book of the Year’ Award.); and Disruptive Technologies, Innovation and Global Redesign: Emerging Implications . An inventor, he holds a US Patent on microchip used in minimally invasive surgical robots and has authored many journal and conference papers. As a student, he worked on the NASA Jet Propulsion project- distribution of HV and HF in the space environment. Dr. Ekekwe has organized more than thirty five seminars and workshops on technology design, innovation and diffusion across Africa for schools, small firms and governments. He obtained BEng electrical & electronics engineering from Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria (FUTO, Aug 1998) where he finished top of his class. As Director of Research of a student body, he helped installed a students-designed and -managed Campus-wide FM Radio Station (one of few in Africa). Also in FUTO, he founded, edited and published FUTO Bubbles- a campus newsmagazine. It was in its debut edition that Prof SOE Ogbogu said: "there are two universities in Nigeria: FUTO and others'. Dr Ekekwe was also a member of the Students Union Constitution Review Committee. He is highly awarded. And some of his awards/fellowships include: Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering fellowship, United States National Science Foundation ERC fellowship, Jay D Samstag fellowship, United Kingdom Congress on Computer Assisted Orthopedic Surgery fellowship, United States Electrical Manuf. & Coil Winding Association scholarship, University Scholar (FUTO), Johns Hopkins Institutions Diversity Recognition Award (nominee), TED fellowship, Visiting Fellow (IUO, Nigeria), Grandeur Magazine's one of Nigeria's Most Influential Youth of the 21st Century, Harvard Business School & Hess 1978 Fund Ex-Ed scholarship, etc. In May 2009, he became the youngest scholar to deliver Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria (15th) Public Lecture of the University. Ndubuisi served in the United States National Science Foundation ERC/CISST E&D committee for four years. He was a panelist on Knowledge Industry in Africa in 2010 Wharton Business School African Business Forum, a speaker at 2010 TEDxChange Amsterdam, a knowledge expert in United Nations 2010 Lessons Learned Workshop for 5 African Countries (Freetown), plus numerous technical conferences including ISSCC, ISCAS, etc. He spoke in 2011 in Vietnam Education Foundation conference and Harvard Business School African Business Conference. He has participated as a speaker in New York Forum Africa, MIT Sloan Africa Innovate, Babson University Africa Business Club, BBC World Service, Tech4Africa, Africa4IT conference (keynote), Carnegie Mellon University, etc. Prof Ekekwe, featured in Marquis' Who's Who in America, is ex-Chair, IEEE Boston GOLD Executive Committee, and now PACE Chair. He is a Non-executive Board member of Temple & Aegeandas- an investment banking firm in Lagos (Nigeria); Founder/Non-Executive Chair, Board of Directors, First Atlantic Semiconductors & Microelectronics Ltd (Fasmicro), Nigeria; and Founding Board member of Germany-based Afriscience. In 2009, the Nigerian government nominated him to the ($180m grant) World Bank-Nigeria STEPB Int'l Advisory Board. Dr Ekekwe was selected as a "New Generation Leaders for Africa" by African Leadership Network in 2012. The African Innovator Magazine from the respected IT News Africa Publication calls Dr Ekekwe "A doctor of Innovation". He made the Nigeria Book of Records as one of the 52 Nigerian Most Influential Youth of the 21st Century as the nation celebrates its 52nd birthday. In August 2011, he received a commendation letter from the Nigerian Presidency for pioneering microelectronics programs in the country. He authored Nigeria's Vision 2020 Microelectronics thematic area and holds all-time best GCE/SSCE result of STS, Ovim, Nigeria. // Engineer + technology economist // technology, diamond, education, propulsion, research, design, semiconductor industry, engineering, policy, technological innovation, technology management, robotics, youth, nanotechnology, science, technology in education, government, semiconductor // Pennsylvania|United States|Pittsburgh|USA

Pennsylvania|United States|Pittsburgh|USA

Acting, Comedy, Cultural activism, Filmmaking, Political standup, Social justice & culture, Women's right + policy, Writing

2013

Argentina

ABC Diversity Showcase; Public Broadcasting Service; Cornell University; NPR; Columbia University; Columbia University in the City of New York; Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs; MTV Networks; Comedy Central; Columbia | SIPA; TED Conferences; AOL; Nickelodeon; Independent Film Channel, New York, NY

Negin Farsad is a multi-talented individual known for her work as a comedian, writer, actor, and director. She is recognized as a social justice comedian and has been involved in various projects that highlight important social issues. Negin has received accolades such as being named one of the 50 Funniest Women by Huffington Post and one of the 10 Best Feminist Comedians by Paper Magazine. She has also been selected as a TEDFellow for her work in social justice comedy and has given a TEDTalk. Negin is the author of the book "How To Make White People Laugh," which was nominated for the Thurber Prize for Humor and recommended by Oprah Magazine. She hosts the political comedy podcast "Fake the Nation" on the Earwolf network and is a regular panelist on NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me." Negin has appeared in various TV shows and movies, including Nat Geo's "Year Million," HBO's "High Maintenance," and Netflix's "Chelsea Handler Show." She has also directed and produced feature films such as "The Muslims Are Coming!" and "Nerdcore Rising." Negin's work spans across different platforms, including writing for Comedy Central, MTV, PBS, IFC, Nickelodeon, and more. She is known for her activism, including successfully suing New York State's MTA over the right to put up funny posters about Muslims. Negin's comedy career started after working as a policy advisor for the City of New York, bringing a unique perspective to her craft. // On-Camera host for a talk show about movies. // Director & writer of Book of Mom web series and TV interstitials. Co-creator and writer of Class Parents web series. // Comedic on camera tech host for IFC News and translator of nerdly information. // Writer for season one of the upcoming PBS animated series, "1001 Nights" // Writer and series developer for the MTV web show and broadcast pilot "Detox" // Writer/Director/Producer for web series and broadcast pilot, the "Watch List" // On-Camera host for a talk show about movies. // Director & writer of Book of Mom web series and TV interstitials. Co-creator and writer of Class Parents web series. // Comedic on camera tech host for IFC News and translator of nerdly information. // Comedian and filmmaker Katie Halper returns to the summer camp she attended and her mother and grandmother worked out after Rush Limbaugh, the right-wing talk-radio host and Republican Party unofficial head, goes after the camp on his radio show. It turns out President Obama’s nominee to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics had sent her kids to a Jewish summer camp “’with Communist roots,” which “indoctrinates” its campers with “extremist” ideology. Katie wonders if she and her family been brainwashed? Are the children attending camp today in danger? If so, can they be saved? There’s only one-way to find out–by going back to camp. // ABC Diversity Showcase; Public Broadcasting Service; Cornell University; NPR; Columbia University; Columbia University in the City of New York; Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs; MTV Networks; Comedy Central; Columbia | SIPA; TED Conferences; AOL; Nickelodeon; Independent Film Channel, New York, NY // Negin Farsad is a versatile writer, director, and on-camera host with a focus on comedy and entertainment. She has a strong background in creating and developing web series, TV interstitials, and broadcast pilots, showcasing her talent for storytelling and humor. Negin's work spans various platforms, from PBS animated series to MTV web shows, demonstrating her adaptability and creativity in the entertainment industry. With experience as a writer, director, and producer, she brings a multifaceted skill set to her projects, ensuring a well-rounded and engaging final product. Negin's expertise in translating complex information into accessible and humorous content shines through in her comedic tech hosting and translating work, making her a valuable asset in the entertainment world. // I am using comedy to bring people together, bridge divides, and promote my particular form of American patriotism. // Negin Farsad is a versatile and accomplished comedian, writer, actor, director, and social justice advocate. With a background in policy advising for the City of New York, she brings a unique perspective to her comedy, focusing on important social issues and activism. Negin has been recognized for her work in social justice comedy, receiving accolades such as being named one of the 50 Funniest Women by Huffington Post and a TEDFellow. She is the author of the book "How To Make White People Laugh," which was nominated for the Thurber Prize for Humor. Negin hosts the political comedy podcast "Fake the Nation" and is a regular panelist on NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me." Her work spans across various platforms, including TV shows, movies, and writing for major networks like Comedy Central and MTV. Negin's expertise lies in creating engaging and humorous content that addresses complex issues, making her a valuable voice in the entertainment industry. // Comedian + filmmaker // Iranian-American stand-up comedian and filmmaker currently working on "The Muslims are Coming!", a film that follows Muslim-American comedians on the road as they perform, meet locals and counter Islamophobia. // In addition to being a TED Senior Fellow, Negin Farsad was recently named one of the 50 Funniest Women by the Huffington Post, and one of 10 Best Feminist Comedians by Paper Magazine. She has written for and appeared on various shows on Comedy Central, MTV, PBS, IFC, AOL, and MSN among others. She is director/producer of feature film release "Nerdcore Rising" (SXSW premiere, New Video Distribution). She is also director/producer/star of "3rd Street Blackout" starring Janeane Garofalo, John Hodgman, and Ed Weeks as well as The Muslims Are Coming! featuring Jon Stewart, Lewis Black, Rachel Maddow and David Cross. Her upcoming book "How to Make White People Laugh" will be released in Spring of 2016 by Grand Central (a division of Hachette). @neginfarsad on Twitter // TED Fellow Negin Farsad weaves comedy and social commentary to cleverly undercut stereotypes of her culture. In this uproarious talk/stand-up hybrid, Farsad speaks on her documentary, The Muslims Are Coming!, narrates her fight with the MTA in New York and offers a detailed breakdown of the different types of haters she's encountered in her work. "Comedy is one of our best weapons," she says. "We've tried a lot of approaches to social justice, like war and competitive ice dancing -- but a lot of things are still kind of awful. I think it's time we try and tell a really good poop joke." // Negin Farsad is a versatile and accomplished comedian, writer, actor, director, and social justice advocate. With a background in policy advising for the City of New York, she brings a unique perspective to her comedy, focusing on important social issues and activism. Negin has been recognized for her work in social justice comedy, receiving accolades such as being named one of the 50 Funniest Women by Huffington Post and a TEDFellow. She is the author of the book "How To Make White People Laugh," which was nominated for the Thurber Prize for Humor. Negin hosts the political comedy podcast "Fake the Nation" and is a regular panelist on NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me." Her work spans across various platforms, including TV shows, movies, and writing for major networks like Comedy Central and MTV. Negin's expertise lies in creating engaging and humorous content that addresses complex issues, making her a valuable voice in the entertainment industry. // Comedian + filmmaker // technology, children, comedy, activism, actor, writer, director, social justice & culture, paper, policy, comedian, documentary, filmmaker, war, social justice, justice, political standup, women // New York|United States|USA

New York|United States|USA

Artifical Intelligence, Computer Science Education, Data Warehouse, Gamification, Machine Learning, Computational Economics/Psychology/Neuroscienc

2009

United States

Educator // Neha Gupta graduated with her Ph.D in Computer Science from University of Maryland, College Park. Her Ph.d thesis was on "Learning Techniques in Multi-Armed Bandits". She has published several papers in the area of large scale machine learning, online learning and location determination technologies. In general, her interests lie in applying machine learning and data mining to build smarter products. Before joining graduate school, she worked for Samsung as a Software Engineer for two years in their Telecom and Networks division. She finished her undergraduate studies in Electronics Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, India. Neha is also a TED fellow. She did internships and research in computational advertising at Tumri and Yahoo! Research. Right before joining us, she was at Bunchball - a gamification startup as a data scientist. // Neha Gupta graduated with her Ph.D in Computer Science from University of Maryland, College Park in May, 2012. Her Ph.d thesis was on "Learning Techniques in Multi-Armed Bandits". She has published several papers in the area of large scale machine learning, online learning and location determination technologies. In general, her interests lie in applying machine learning and data mining to build smarter products. Before joining graduate school, she worked for Samsung as a Software Engineer for two years in their Telecom and Networks division. She finished her undergraduate studies in Electronics Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, India. She did internships and research in computational advertising at Tumri and Yahoo! Research. She is currently working as a Data Scientist at Adobe. // Neha Gupta graduated with her Ph.D in Computer Science from University of Maryland, College Park in May, 2012. Her Ph.d thesis was on "Learning Techniques in Multi-Armed Bandits". She has published several papers in the area of large scale machine learning, online learning and location determination technologies. In general, her interests lie in applying machine learning and data mining to build smarter products. Before joining graduate school, she worked for Samsung as a Software Engineer for two years in their Telecom and Networks division. She finished her undergraduate studies in Electronics Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, India. She did internships and research in computational advertising at Tumri and Yahoo! Research. She is currently working as a Data Scientist at Adobe. // Educator // technology, research, computational economics/psychology/neuroscienc, computer science education, science, education, gamification, data mining, data warehouse, software, data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, artifical intelligence, mining // Fremont|United States|California|USA

Fremont|United States|California|USA

2016

United Kingdom

TV director / producer // Nicole Amarteifio is a TV/film producer cited in The Financial Times "Top 25 Africans to Watch" list after a successful launch of the hit web series 'An African City’, dubbed by CNN and the BBC as Africa’s answer to ‘Sex and the City’. Nicole is currently pursuing TV/film projects full time, after a successful career in international development, including her role as the first ever social media strategist for the Africa Region at The World Bank. In 2018, Nicole premiered her first feature film, a romantic comedy called ‘Before the Vows’, at the New York African Film Festival, followed by the American Black Film Festival. She has several projects in development, including her second feature film ‘The Colour of Fruit’ as well as the TV shows ‘The Republic,’ ‘Mariah’ and ‘Elmina.’ Nicole currently splits her time between Accra, Ghana and Los Angeles, USA. // Nicole Amarteifio is a TV/film producer cited in The Financial Times "Top 25 Africans to Watch" list after a successful launch of the hit web series 'An African City’, dubbed by CNN and the BBC as Africa’s answer to ‘Sex and the City’. Nicole is currently pursuing TV/film projects full time, after a successful career in international development, including her role as the first ever social media strategist for the Africa Region at The World Bank. In 2018, Nicole premiered her first feature film, a romantic comedy called ‘Before the Vows’, at the New York African Film Festival, followed by the American Black Film Festival. She has several projects in development, including her second feature film ‘The Colour of Fruit’ as well as the TV shows ‘The Republic,’ ‘Mariah’ and ‘Elmina.’ Nicole currently splits her time between Accra, Ghana and Los Angeles, USA. // TV director / producer // finance // Accra|Ghana|Greater Accra Region

Accra|Ghana|Greater Accra Region

AI governance, Activism, advocacy, community development, disaster risk management, emerging technology, human rights, public policy, technology + communication in governance, women’s rights

2017

Brazil

Harvard Kennedy School; Digital Rights Foundation; Babar Awan Law Company; Oversight Board Administration; Berkman Klein Center - Harvard University; United Nations; University of the Punjab, Lahore; Diplo Foundation; University of the Punjab; Independent

Nighat Dad is a Pakistani lawyer and feminist activist born in 1981 in Lahore. She is the founder of the Digital Rights Foundation, an organization dedicated to defending the rights of Pakistani women on the Internet. Dad's activism has earned her recognition, including being listed as a Next Generation Leader by Time magazine in 2015 and winning the Human Rights Tulip award in 2016. She is also a member of the Facebook Oversight Board since 2020. Dad's journey includes overcoming familial restrictions, pursuing education in law, experiencing domestic violence, and advocating for women's rights online. She co-organized the Aurat March in Lahore in 2019, facing backlash and threats for challenging patriarchal norms in Pakistan. Dad's work focuses on using technology to empower women and protect them from online harassment, with initiatives like a helpline for women in Pakistan. // Digital Rights Foundation is an organization focused on advocating for digital rights, privacy, and freedom of expression, particularly for women, in Pakistan. They work towards creating a safe and free internet environment through policy advocacy, digital security awareness, and protecting individuals from online harassment. The organization conducts various activities such as training sessions with law enforcement agencies, journalists, and human rights defenders on digital security. They also engage in research projects, collaborate with international organizations, and provide resources like a cyber harassment helpline and online safety tools. Additionally, they actively participate in public discussions and campaigns to address issues such as cybercrime legislation and online censorship. // Skilled in Digital Rights, Civil Liberties, Digital Surveillance, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Civil Society. Team leader focused on Internet and Society with a legal background. // Nighat Dad is the head honcho at the Digital Rights Foundation. She created the organization in 2012 and there has been no looking back for her since. Nighat has propelled the organization from a tiny operation consisting of just two people to a team of more than a dozen. She is the mastermind behind all of the organization’s current projects and has helped breathe some feminist power into all the work that DRF does. Nighat is Time Magazine’s next generation leader for 2015, and has also won the Atlantic Council Freedom Award along with the prestigious Tulip Award in 2016. // // // Harvard Kennedy School; Digital Rights Foundation; Babar Awan Law Company; Oversight Board Administration; Berkman Klein Center - Harvard University; United Nations; University of the Punjab, Lahore; Diplo Foundation; University of the Punjab; Independent // Nighat Dad is a seasoned professional with a legal background, specializing in Digital Rights, Civil Liberties, Digital Surveillance, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). As the head of the Digital Rights Foundation, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, transforming the organization from a small team to a robust group of dedicated individuals. Nighat's innovative approach has infused feminist perspectives into the foundation's projects, making significant strides in the realm of Internet and Society. Recognized for her contributions, she has been honored with accolades such as Time Magazine's next generation leader for 2015 and the Atlantic Council Freedom Award. // Bringing global majority voices on the table where decisions around design, deployment and governance of technologies emerging and existing are being made. The impact I am hoping to have is more an action towards bringing equal share of resources, knowledge and governance of Tech when it comes to global south, the tech world where we have power of bargaining. Questions around inequality between global south and north, genuine curiosity where the world of AI will take us from here, where should global south see itself in this fast evolving world of tech and AI. // Nighat Dad is a Pakistani lawyer and feminist activist known for her pioneering work in advocating for digital rights and women's empowerment in Pakistan. As the founder of the Digital Rights Foundation, she has been instrumental in promoting online safety, privacy, and freedom of expression, particularly for women, through initiatives like the cyber harassment helpline. Dad's leadership has led to the organization's growth and impact, with a focus on policy advocacy, digital security awareness, and combating online harassment. She has been recognized internationally for her contributions, including being named a Next Generation Leader by Time magazine and receiving the Human Rights Tulip award. Dad's work embodies a commitment to using technology to advance gender equality and challenge patriarchal norms in the digital space. // Lawyer, human rights activist // TED Fellow Nighat Dad studies online harassment, especially as it relates to patriarchal cultures like the one in her small village in Pakistan. She tells the story of how she set up Pakistan's first cyber harassment helpline, offering support to women who face serious threats online. "Safe access to the internet is access to knowledge, and knowledge is freedom," she says. "When I fight for a woman's digital rights, I am fighting for equality." // Nighat Dad is a Pakistani lawyer and feminist activist known for her pioneering work in advocating for digital rights and women's empowerment in Pakistan. As the founder of the Digital Rights Foundation, she has been instrumental in promoting online safety, privacy, and freedom of expression, particularly for women, through initiatives like the cyber harassment helpline. Dad's leadership has led to the organization's growth and impact, with a focus on policy advocacy, digital security awareness, and combating online harassment. She has been recognized internationally for her contributions, including being named a Next Generation Leader by Time magazine and receiving the Human Rights Tulip award. Dad's work embodies a commitment to using technology to advance gender equality and challenge patriarchal norms in the digital space. // Lawyer, human rights activist // technology, violence, education, job skills training, ai governance, research, activism, human rights, design, rights, women's rights, policy, public policy and advocacy, women, public policy, gender, community development, advocacy, politics, campaigns, emerging tech, artificial intelligence, disaster risk management, governance, law, equality, tech and human rights, communication, risk management, inequality // United Kingdom|London|Pakistan|Punjab|Lahore

United Kingdom|London|Pakistan|Punjab|Lahore