Step inside the TED Fellows community

2016

United States

Digital rights advocate // I help people understand the fast-evolving technology policy ecosystem in, and push for making the Internet more open, fair and competitive. I'm an entrepreneur, journalist and an investor. I'm also a TED Fellow, and an "Indian of Tomorrow". I founded MediaNama, a leading publication chronicling the growth of India’s digital ecosystem in 2008. In 2015, I started the Savetheinternet.in campaign for Net Neutrality, which was the largest grassroots campaign in the history of India, with over a million people participating. In addition, I'm also co-founded the Internet Freedom Foundation, which focuses on advocacy for an open Internet in India. MediaNama was awarded as an Ecosystem Builder by Fortune Magazine in 2016. I'm an Asia21 Leader (2019) and was named among the Indians of Tomorrow by India Today in 2012) * More about me at http://nama.cc/nikhilbio * Contact me at nikhil@medianama.com via email // I help people understand the fast-evolving technology policy ecosystem in, and push for making the Internet more open, fair and competitive. I'm an entrepreneur, journalist and an investor. I'm also a TED Fellow, and an "Indian of Tomorrow". I founded MediaNama, a leading publication chronicling the growth of India’s digital ecosystem in 2008. In 2015, I started the Savetheinternet.in campaign for Net Neutrality, which was the largest grassroots campaign in the history of India, with over a million people participating. In addition, I'm also co-founded the Internet Freedom Foundation, which focuses on advocacy for an open Internet in India. MediaNama was awarded as an Ecosystem Builder by Fortune Magazine in 2016. I'm an Asia21 Leader (2019) and was named among the Indians of Tomorrow by India Today in 2012) * More about me at http://nama.cc/nikhilbio * Contact me at nikhil@medianama.com via email // Digital rights advocate // technology, grassroots, policy, advocacy, campaigns // Delhi|India

Delhi|India

3D printing, AI, Augmented reality, Design, Entrepreneurship, Photography, Poetry, Prototyping, Public and digital infrastructure, Public health, Writing

2009

India

Strange Brew Magazine; 140verses; fightbonecancer.org; Amazon Web Services (AWS); Strange Brew Media Private Limited; Dr. Reddy's Laboratories; The INK Conference in association with TED; letshead.to; TED Conferences; Wadhwani AI

Not very active on LinkedIn. Find my on-chain activity on velpanur.eth and ping me on twitter @nikhilv // Joined the INK conference in association with TED as part of the founding team, to start and lead the INK fellows program. Defined the selection criterion, including the written application and interview rounds and select 20 global fellows on a full scholarship to attend the conference and coalesce into a community. Work with the fellows 2 months prior to the conference and do what it takes to deliver a great INK talk. And once they are at the conference, we do whatever it takes to have an unforgettable time and forge lifelong connections. // Helped an orthopedic oncologist found a nonprofit whose objective was to fund life saving bone cancer treatments and surgeries. My maternal grandmother had died of Bone cancer, so it was my great honor to help the doctor out. Cofounded the trust Jaagruti Bone cancer treatment and research trust, helped organize a walkathon to raise awareness and fundraise. Also created the brand fightbonecancer.org, and conceptualized the website that lets donors donate to specific cases with stories, that increase transparency and trust.200 surgeries have been performed to date. // letshead.to was a marketplace for food and drink.We would tie up with restaurants, nightclubs, bars and cafes and create steeply discounted deals during lean periods. And customers could buy these deals online and gift them to friends. Built a talented team of 8 people. letshead.to was a finalist in the Economic Times Power of Ideas 2008 and a semifinalist invited to Demo at TechCrunch50 2008. letshead.to is widely considered as one of the first online deal sites in the world as we launched it in 2007, way before the online deal market exploded. // Published Strange Brew magazine, a 48 page print magazine that circulated 8,000 copies per month. After the magazine tanked, retained the core team and reinvigorated the organization as a media house. We worked with clients like SAB Miller, Coca Cola, Nokia, Indian Youth Congress etc providing them an outsourced ethnographic practice through video. Some of our work has been used in corporate communication, rural market strategy, and our documentary 'Sound of Water' won several awards for its role in sensitizing industry to the pressing water issues. // Strange Brew was a counterculture magazine that i founded when i was decided that i hated college and quasi dropped out when i was 20. Assembled an incredible (and unpaid) team of writers, designers and such wastrels, and wrote about culture, music and fun stuff that only rebellious college students are capable of writing. We used to push out a 48 page 8,000 copies per month and sell it in colleges, newsstands and on the streets (too much fun!) Magazine tanked and core team spent the next 3 years paying off our debts by odd jobs. // Selected by TED as one of the 290 fellows from around the world. http://www.ted.com/fellows"The TED fellows program is designed to bring together young world-changers and trailblazers who have shown unusual accomplishment and exceptional courage." // Manage all partnerships, fundraising, communications, community and brand for Wadhwani AI. Incubating AI Hub #ai4all // Built a machine that takes random tweets from around the world and makes 4 line poems out of it. Users could choose an emotion like 'Love', 'Passion', 'Anger' etc and poems would be generated in real time. Launched it at TEDxBlr 2010. // Conceptualized and defined the vision for inktalks.com. Hired and managed a team that designed and built the product. Streamlined processes to upload and share INK talks recorded from the conference. Engaged online communities using social media platforms like twitter and Facebook.Defined the roadmap, designed the iOS and Android app and put INK talks on a mobile voice platform that can be listened to without access to the internet. // Manage all partnerships, fundraising, communications, community and brand for Wadhwani AI. Incubating AI Hub #ai4all // Driven by the mission to accelerate the future of " Good Health" , Garage5B (www.garage5b.com) is an early stage investment fund, focussed on making seed and pre-seed stage investments in deep health tech startups across the globe. // Strange Brew Magazine; 140verses; fightbonecancer.org; Amazon Web Services (AWS); Strange Brew Media Private Limited; Dr. Reddy's Laboratories; The INK Conference in association with TED; letshead.to; TED Conferences; Wadhwani AI // Nikhil Velpanur is a versatile professional with a diverse background in founding and leading impactful initiatives. As a founding team member of the INK conference in association with TED, Nikhil spearheaded the INK fellows program, selecting and mentoring global fellows for the conference. Additionally, he co-founded a nonprofit to fund bone cancer treatments, showcasing his commitment to social causes. Nikhil's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish letshead.to, a pioneering online deal site, and publish a counterculture magazine, Strange Brew. With a passion for innovation, he created a machine generating poems from tweets and played a key role in developing inktalks.com. Currently, Nikhil manages partnerships, fundraising, and community engagement for Wadhwani AI, focusing on incubating AI initiatives and investing in deep health tech startups through Garage5B. // My work is around applying technology for social impact. I have been involved in the founding of India's first applied AI research lab Wadhwani AI where I worked to apply AI for social impact in public health and agriculture. I now work with Amazon Web Services leading Digital innovation where I advise AWS public sector customers like governments, nonprofits and multilaterals how to apply Web3 and AI for social impact at scale. My work is around taking future technologies and applying it to today's problems at scale. // Nikhil Velpanur is a versatile professional with a diverse background in founding and leading impactful initiatives. He co-founded the INK conference in association with TED and spearheaded the INK fellows program, selecting and mentoring global fellows. Nikhil's commitment to social causes is evident through his co-founding of a nonprofit for funding bone cancer treatments. With a keen entrepreneurial spirit, he established letshead.to, an online deal site, and published a counterculture magazine, Strange Brew. Nikhil's passion for innovation is reflected in his creation of a machine generating poems from tweets and his contributions to inktalks.com. Currently, he manages partnerships, fundraising, and community engagement for Wadhwani AI, focusing on incubating AI initiatives and investing in deep health tech startups through Garage5B. His work revolves around applying technology for social impact, particularly in public health and agriculture, and advising on the application of Web3 and AI for social impact at scale. // Counter-culture entrepreneur // Nikhil Velpanur is working on approves.it, a augmented reality mobile app that lets you add virtual data to real world objects. Earlier, he started and was responsible for the INK fellows program and inktalks.com, as part of the INK conference in association with TED. He has been an entrepreneur since he was 20. His first company - Strange Brew Media was a national print magazine in India and has transitioned into a rural newswire. He also started letshead.to, a marketplace for food and drink in 2007, and 140verses.com which takes random tweets and generates 4 line poems out of it. // Nikhil is currently Disruption Lead + Associate director at Garage 5B, the new ventures lab and Studio5B, the innovation studio of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited, exploring the idea of disruption. He comes with a background of 14 years as an entrepreneur, technologist, designer and maker. In his past he has run a media company publishing a 8000 copy/month magazine, launched India’s first indigenously developed 3D printer Brahma3, built a product that makes poems from random tweets, open source tools to alleviate human-animal conflict, and involved in the founding and cofounding of multiple companies and nonprofits. He was part of the founding team of the INK conference, having started the INK fellows program, helped develop the INK makers program and build the community. He has lived and worked across South East Asia, being part of various efforts. He also advises, mentors and angel invests in hard science and agriculture start-ups. Nikhil thinks there is magic at the intersection of Design, Technology and Science / has an unwavering belief in the first noble truth of Buddhism / channels his inner scientist through cooking and coffee / drinks beer for its taste / is fascinated by the idea of India / thinks sport is a bloody waste of time / and can't wait to go live in a farm outside Mysore. // Nikhil Velpanur is a versatile professional with a diverse background in founding and leading impactful initiatives. He co-founded the INK conference in association with TED and spearheaded the INK fellows program, selecting and mentoring global fellows. Nikhil's commitment to social causes is evident through his co-founding of a nonprofit for funding bone cancer treatments. With a keen entrepreneurial spirit, he established letshead.to, an online deal site, and published a counterculture magazine, Strange Brew. Nikhil's passion for innovation is reflected in his creation of a machine generating poems from tweets and his contributions to inktalks.com. Currently, he manages partnerships, fundraising, and community engagement for Wadhwani AI, focusing on incubating AI initiatives and investing in deep health tech startups through Garage5B. His work revolves around applying technology for social impact, particularly in public health and agriculture, and advising on the application of Web3 and AI for social impact at scale. // Counter-culture entrepreneur // technology, infrastructure, water, public infrastructure, entrepreneurship, digital public infrastructure, architecture, writing, public health, data, jobs, web3, research, agriculture, coffee, design, augmented reality, farming, ideas that change the world!, prototyping, advocacy campaigns, 3d printing, open source, mobile phones, youth, blockchain, futurism, photography and video, mobile applications, advocacy, documentary, poetry, campaigns, transparency, consulting, social impact, rural, cooking, innovation, science, food, communication, artificial intelligence // India|Bengaluru|Karnataka|Bangalore|Mumbai

India|Bengaluru|Karnataka|Bangalore|Mumbai

Cello, Genetics, Higher Education, International Development, laboratory research, martial arts, science and development

2010

United States

Science facilitator // I decided at the ripe old age of 13 that I would become a geneticist. An article about the Flavr Savr tomato in my local newspaper fired me up not only about genetics, but about feeding people. I wanted to create new varieties of rice that would grow in the Sahara! Bananas containing edible vaccines! My interest in science always had a humanitarian angle. After finishing my BSc in biochemistry at Brown I worked for several years in international agricultural development including a year in the Ivory Coast as a Fulbright scholar growing and studying rice.. I worked with scientists from dozens of countries conserving local plants and provide better varieties to farmers in poor communities. I moved back to Boston for a PhD in molecular biology at Harvard University, and simultaneously founded Seeding Labs to help scientists like the ones I had met abroad. In 2008 I launched the organization formally with the help of an Echoing Green fellowship. Seeding Labs is dedicated to ensuring that talented scientists worldwide have the resources to do life-changing science. We have now provided over $1.3M worth of laboratory equipment and training to scientists in 17 countries, helped over 4000 students get a hands-on science education, and we are working towards establishing the scientific equivalent to the Peace Corps. // I decided to become a geneticist and feed the world through science at the advanced age of 13. Twenty years later I am dedicated instead to making sure that other scientists and potential scientists from the developing world have the tools and training to make those advances themselves. As a graduate student I founded Seeding Labs - through which I have equipped research laboratories in 16 countries using surplus equipment from US labs. I am even more concerned with connecting people - the scientists who donate their surplus with the scientists who receive it - to create a truly inter-connected scientific community that spans the globe. // I decided to become a geneticist and feed the world through science at the advanced age of 13. Twenty years later I am dedicated instead to making sure that other scientists and potential scientists from the developing world have the tools and training to make those advances themselves. As a graduate student I founded Seeding Labs - through which I have equipped research laboratories in 16 countries using surplus equipment from US labs. I am even more concerned with connecting people - the scientists who donate their surplus with the scientists who receive it - to create a truly inter-connected scientific community that spans the globe. // Science facilitator // rice, martial arts, education, coastal, job skills training, urban, farm development, research, agriculture, laboratory research, farmers, humanitarian, international development, higher education, cello, plants, science, urban poor, genetics, science and development // Massachusetts|Cambridge|United States|USA

Massachusetts|Cambridge|United States|USA

Bioelectricity, Biomimicry, Bioreactors, Climbing Fences, Headstands, Jewelry Design & Silversmithing, Making Fresh Pasta, Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering, watergun assassination

2011, 2012

United States

Tissue engineering researcher // An American electrical engineer and research scientist who explores how electrical stimulation encourages tissue growth. She is also a certified yoga instructor who explores the intersections between mindfulness, education and the scientific process in her own life, and, increasingly, with her students! // Nina Tandon is CEO and co-founder of EpiBone, the world’s first company growing living human bones for skeletal reconstruction. She is the co-author of Super Cells: Building with Biology, a book that explores the new frontier of biotech. Nina has also been awarded Crain's New York, Forty Under 40; Ernst & Young, Winning Woman; and Goldman Sachs, 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs. She has a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the Cooper Union, a Master’s in Bioelectrical Engineering from MIT, a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, as well as an MBA from Columbia University. Her PhD research focused on studying electrical signaling in the context of tissue engineering, and has worked with cardiac, skin, bone, and neural tissue. // As humans live longer than ever before, we need our implants to last as long as we do, says bioengineer Nina Tandon. Using stem cells and digital fabrication, she's working on growing anatomically precise spare parts for the human body, replacing damaged bones, cartilage and more with implants that fit perfectly and hold up for a lifetime. // Each of our bodies is utterly unique, which is a lovely thought until it comes to treating an illness -- when every body reacts differently, often unpredictably, to standard treatment. Tissue engineer Nina Tandon talks about a possible solution: Using pluripotent stem cells to make personalized models of organs on which to test new drugs and treatments, and storing them on computer chips. (Call it extremely personalized medicine.) // Tissue engineer and TED Fellow Nina Tandon is growing artificial hearts and bones. To do that, she needs new ways of caring for artificially grown cells -- techniques she's developed by the simple but powerful method of copying their natural environments. // Nina Tandon is CEO and co-founder of EpiBone, the world’s first company growing living human bones for skeletal reconstruction. She is the co-author of Super Cells: Building with Biology, a book that explores the new frontier of biotech. Nina has also been awarded Crain's New York, Forty Under 40; Ernst & Young, Winning Woman; and Goldman Sachs, 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs. She has a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the Cooper Union, a Master’s in Bioelectrical Engineering from MIT, a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, as well as an MBA from Columbia University. Her PhD research focused on studying electrical signaling in the context of tissue engineering, and has worked with cardiac, skin, bone, and neural tissue. // Tissue engineering researcher // jewelry design & silversmithing, education, entrepreneurship, electrical engineering, making fresh pasta, research, watergun assassination, design, stem, bioreactors, stem cells, biotech, jewelry, bioelectricity, climbing fences, tissue engineering, biomimicry, headstands // United States|New York

United States|New York

Appropriate technology, Data analytics, Design of large-scale sensor systems, Global health innovation, Systems change, Tech for good, Working with ministries of health (government)

2021

China

Technologist // Nithya Ramanathan, Ph.D., is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Nexleaf Analytics, a non-profit technology company that partners with countries to make sure they have the data they need to build lasting solutions that improve the health of people. Nexleaf has created a platform of real-time sensors and data analytic tools that protects the vaccine supply for 1 in 10 babies born annually on Earth. Nithya and her team have achieved this outsized impact by working shoulder-to-shoulder with Ministries of Health — rather than bypassing governments — to scale cutting-edge technologies refined through close collaboration with personnel at every level of the health system, from top-tier government officials to last-mile health care workers. Nithya's unique approach brings together sensor design, data analysis, software engineering, and field engagement to identify and address the root cause challenges within complex global health systems. A computer scientist specializing in sensor technologies and data analytics, Nithya is a tech-for-good pioneer and a leading thinker on global vaccine distribution. Nithya’s career started in Silicon Valley, and continued as Research Faculty in sensor technologies at UCLA. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UCLA and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley. Her work has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals. Nithya is a PopTech Social Innovation Fellow, Switzer Environmental Fellow, and a Rainer Arnhold Fellow. She is the winner of the 2017 Hedy Lamarr Award for Female Tech Pioneer, was named a Gavi Got Life! Champion in 2018 alongside world leaders, and received the Tällberg Foundation/Eliasson Global Leadership Award in 2020. // Refrigerators do much more than store your groceries -- they're also vital to preserving and distributing vaccines. Illustrating the realities of (and threats to) global vaccine supply chains, technologist and TED Fellow Nithya Ramanathan describes how smart sensors placed in fridges that store medical supplies can provide crucial, real-time data and ensure people get the life-saving care they need. // Nithya Ramanathan, Ph.D., is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Nexleaf Analytics, a non-profit technology company that partners with countries to make sure they have the data they need to build lasting solutions that improve the health of people. Nexleaf has created a platform of real-time sensors and data analytic tools that protects the vaccine supply for 1 in 10 babies born annually on Earth. Nithya and her team have achieved this outsized impact by working shoulder-to-shoulder with Ministries of Health — rather than bypassing governments — to scale cutting-edge technologies refined through close collaboration with personnel at every level of the health system, from top-tier government officials to last-mile health care workers. Nithya's unique approach brings together sensor design, data analysis, software engineering, and field engagement to identify and address the root cause challenges within complex global health systems. A computer scientist specializing in sensor technologies and data analytics, Nithya is a tech-for-good pioneer and a leading thinker on global vaccine distribution. Nithya’s career started in Silicon Valley, and continued as Research Faculty in sensor technologies at UCLA. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UCLA and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley. Her work has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals. Nithya is a PopTech Social Innovation Fellow, Switzer Environmental Fellow, and a Rainer Arnhold Fellow. She is the winner of the 2017 Hedy Lamarr Award for Female Tech Pioneer, was named a Gavi Got Life! Champion in 2018 alongside world leaders, and received the Tällberg Foundation/Eliasson Global Leadership Award in 2020. // Technologist // technology, tech for good, appropriate technology, global health innovation, electrical engineering, data, research, design, data and analytics, supply chain, design of large-scale sensor systems, women, data analytics, data analysis, systems change, sensor, working with ministries of health (government), workers, science, software, government // California|Los Angeles|United States|USA

California|Los Angeles|United States|USA

India, Information, Strategy, Youth, development, education, entrepreneurship

2009

United States

Inventor // Nitin Rao, TED Fellow (2009), helps build CloudFlare's global network that protects millions of websites. // Nitin Rao, TED Fellow (2009), helps build CloudFlare's global network that protects millions of websites. // Inventor // strategy, education, youth, entrepreneurship, information, india, development // California|United States|San Francisco|USA

California|United States|San Francisco|USA

Comparative anatomy, Evolutionary Biology, Expedition leadership, Geology - Paleobiology, Paleontology, Public Understanding of Science, Zoology

2015

Paleontologist // Paleontologist working on several large-scale international research projects on the African continent, including the discovery of the first semi-aquatic dinosaur, the Spinosaurus. // http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorers/bios/nizar-ibrahim/ // A 50-foot-long carnivore who hunted its prey in rivers 97 million years ago, the Spinosaurus is a "dragon from deep time." Paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim and his crew found new fossils, hidden in cliffs of the Moroccan Sahara desert, that are helping us learn more about the first swimming dinosaur -- who might also be the largest carnivorous dinosaur of all. // http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorers/bios/nizar-ibrahim/ // Paleontologist // research, rivers and lakes, paleontology, comparative anatomy, public understanding of science, zoology, geology - paleobiology, desert, science, evolutionary biology, geology, expedition leadership

Clean energy, Cold chain technology, Energy access, Energy efficiency, Environmental health, IoT, Mechanical engineering, Primary healthcare systems, Renewable energy, Rural development, Solar technology, Sustainable development

2024

Kenya

2009

United Kingdom

Anti-corruption pioneer // Nuhu Ribadu graduated from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the bar in 1984, before joining the Nigeria Police, where he rose to become head of the Legal and Prosecution department at the police headquarters in Abuja. His eighteen-year service in the Nigeria Police culminated in his appointment as pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in April, 2003. Prior to his appointment as the chairman, Nuhu served as a key operational officer in the General Investigation.<br /><br />Department and the Force Criminal Investigation Department of the of the Nigerian Police. He was also a member of the highly commended Failed Banks Tribunal that sanitized the rottenness in the Nigerian Banking sector of the late eighties. He helped pioneer the setting up of the Legal and Prosecutions Department of the Nigerian Police, a unit that served as think tank and policy nerve center of the police. Nuhu recently completed the senior executive course of the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies. // NARRATIVE RESUME OF MR. NUHU RIBADU Nuhu Ribadu was born November 21, 1960. He graduated from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the bar in 1984, before joining the Nigeria Police, where he rose to become head of the Legal and Prosecution department, Police Headquarters, Abuja. His 18-year service in the Nigeria Police culminated in his appointment as pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in April, 2003. He was a key member of the Economic Management Team in from 2003 to 2008 that initiated and drove the wide ranging public sector reforms, which laid the foundations for the socio-economic rejuvenation of Nigeria. Ribadu’s modest achievements in EFCC, most notable amongst which are the delisting of Nigeria from the FATF List of Non-Cooperative Countries & Territories, admission into the prestigious Egmont Group and the withdrawal of the US Treasury advisory on Nigeria by the FINCEN helped make the EFCC a reference Law Enforcement Agency on the continent; and the bold investigation, prosecution, and conviction of Nigeria’s hitherto untouchable politicians and businessmen earned him the reputation of being a foremost and respected anti-corruption crusader in the world. He recently completed an LLM degree thesis on the jurisprudence of corruption in Nigeria from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, in fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Law, and two years ago at the Harvard Business School where he did a program in the strategic management of law enforcement agencies. He is currently a visiting fellow at Oxford University. // NARRATIVE RESUME OF MR. NUHU RIBADU Nuhu Ribadu was born November 21, 1960. He graduated from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the bar in 1984, before joining the Nigeria Police, where he rose to become head of the Legal and Prosecution department, Police Headquarters, Abuja. His 18-year service in the Nigeria Police culminated in his appointment as pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in April, 2003. He was a key member of the Economic Management Team in from 2003 to 2008 that initiated and drove the wide ranging public sector reforms, which laid the foundations for the socio-economic rejuvenation of Nigeria. Ribadu’s modest achievements in EFCC, most notable amongst which are the delisting of Nigeria from the FATF List of Non-Cooperative Countries & Territories, admission into the prestigious Egmont Group and the withdrawal of the US Treasury advisory on Nigeria by the FINCEN helped make the EFCC a reference Law Enforcement Agency on the continent; and the bold investigation, prosecution, and conviction of Nigeria’s hitherto untouchable politicians and businessmen earned him the reputation of being a foremost and respected anti-corruption crusader in the world. He recently completed an LLM degree thesis on the jurisprudence of corruption in Nigeria from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, in fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Law, and two years ago at the Harvard Business School where he did a program in the strategic management of law enforcement agencies. He is currently a visiting fellow at Oxford University. // Anti-corruption pioneer // finance, law, policy // United Kingdom|Oxford|England

United Kingdom|Oxford|England

2012

Nigeria

Healthcare entrepreneur // Nigerian healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, an enterprise providing urgent helicopter, airplane ambulance and evacuation services across West Africa. // Nigerian healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, an enterprise providing urgent helicopter, airplane ambulance and evacuation services across West Africa. // Healthcare entrepreneur // aircraft // Lagos|Nigeria

Lagos|Nigeria

Biotechnology, Circular economy, Climate tech, Green energy, Microbiology, Organic waste and food production, Public health, Renewable energy, Sustainable housing, Water and wastewater management

2009, 2010

Switzerland

Olabisi Onabanjo University(O.O.U); Global Community Bio Summit; Federal Goverment College Ogbomoso; The Center for Public Policy Alternatives (CPPA); Dalberg; BioApplications Initiative; Olabisi Onabanjo University; TED Conferences; iGEM Foundation

BioApplications Initiative is an organization focused on transforming wastewater into clean water and green energy through the use of anaerobic digestion and algae oxidation. They emphasize the importance of circular water economy and highlight that wastewater treatment plants are not waste disposal facilities. The organization has been involved in initiatives such as the Climate Launchpad post-accelerator program, promoting green business ideas and sustainability. // BioApplications Initiative is focused on Circular Urban Wastewater management systems using anaerobic digestion and algae oxidation in Lagos, Nigeria. The organization aims to transform wastewater into clean water and green energy. They have been involved in initiatives such as ClimateLaunchpad and TED Countdown, emphasizing water wisdom and circularity. The team consists of individuals with expertise in various fields, working towards sustainable solutions for water management and environmental impact. // Microbiologist and Innovator into urban wastewater management. Anaerobic Digestion and Algae oxidation lover. Circular Economy) Green Start-up. // Design Anaerobic Reactors and Algae Photo Bioreactors Suitable for Urban Wastewater Management in Nigeria. // Facilitator/ Coach and Pod Leader // Design Anaerobic reactors and Algae photo bioreactors suitable for urban wastewater management in Nigeria. // BASELINE INSIGHTS & OPPORTUNITIES, A longitudinal study on the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on low and middle income Nigerians and opportunities for policy and programmatic intervention I worked as a Recruiter, Fixer and a Translator. During this Remote Research that happened at the peak of the COVID --19 pandemic in Lagos Nigeria. // Recruiter, Scheduling and Logistics,and Translator for Customer Segmentation Framework Research Lagos Nigeria. // Gathered Tax data from Market men and women at various markets in Lagos using Kobo collect software. Served as a liaison of the Market head in Lagos. A project called Lagos market place carried out in collaboration between Lagos State internal revenue service and Center for public policy alternatives. // Olabisi Onabanjo University(O.O.U); Global Community Bio Summit; Federal Goverment College Ogbomoso; The Center for Public Policy Alternatives (CPPA); Dalberg; BioApplications Initiative; Olabisi Onabanjo University; TED Conferences; iGEM Foundation // Olatunbosun Obayomi is a versatile professional with a background in microbiology and a passion for innovative solutions in urban wastewater management. With expertise in designing anaerobic reactors and algae photo bioreactors tailored for urban settings, Olatunbosun is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices, particularly in Nigeria. Beyond technical work, Olatunbosun has experience as a facilitator, coach, and pod leader, demonstrating a commitment to knowledge sharing and leadership. Additionally, Olatunbosun has contributed to impactful research projects, including a study on the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on low and middle-income individuals in Nigeria, showcasing a holistic approach to addressing societal challenges. // We transform domestic wastewater into clean water and green energy. We want to clean up the urban water cycle. We are preserving water precious resource while solving water and sanitation needs of urban residents. We utilize natural processes that mitigates climate change by reducing and removing green house gases from the atmosphere. // Olatunbosun Obayomi is a dedicated professional with a strong background in microbiology and a keen interest in innovative solutions for urban wastewater management. Specializing in designing anaerobic reactors and algae photo bioreactors tailored for urban environments, Olatunbosun is committed to promoting sustainable practices, particularly in Nigeria. As a key member of the BioApplications Initiative, Olatunbosun plays a crucial role in transforming wastewater into clean water and green energy, contributing to the organization's focus on circular urban wastewater management systems. With a holistic approach to addressing societal challenges, Olatunbosun also engages in impactful research projects, such as studying the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on low and middle-income individuals in Nigeria. // Bio-energy inventor // Olatunbosun Obayomi is a microbiologist and inventor from Lagos, Nigeria. Obayomi's research spans hydrogen biogas reactors, ecological engines, and microbial fuel cells. He is the founder of Bio Applications Initiative in Lagos, which focuses on the production of energy from organic waste, using green biogas technology to solve pressing needs related to energy supply, food production, and sanitation in the developing world. Obayomi has produced simple biogas plants for converting paper, animal, and human waste into energy. He has also retrofitted a conventional septic tank into a biogas plant. A graduate of microbiology from Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria, Obayomi is a member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). He was a TEDGlobal Fellow in 2010 and a BMWGuggenheim Lab Team Member for New York City 2011.His efforts have been celebrated in Nigeria as well; in 2008 he was honored with the Nigerian Youth Leadership Award, presented by LEAP Africa. // Olatunbosun Obayomi is a microbiologist and inventor from Lagos, Nigeria. Obayomi's research spans hydrogen biogas reactors, ecological engines, and microbial fuel cells. He is the founder of Bio Applications Initiative in Lagos, which focuses on the production of energy from organic waste, using green biogas technology to solve pressing needs related to energy supply, food production, and sanitation in the developing world. Obayomi has produced simple biogas plants for converting paper, animal, and human waste into energy. He has also retrofitted a conventional septic tank into a biogas plant. Obayomi is a member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). He was a TEDGlobal Fellow in 2010 and a BMWGuggenheim Lab Team Member for New York City 2011.His efforts have been celebrated in Nigeria as well; in 2008 he was honored with the Nigerian Youth Leadership Award, presented by LEAP Africa. // Olatunbosun Obayomi is a dedicated professional with a strong background in microbiology and a keen interest in innovative solutions for urban wastewater management. Specializing in designing anaerobic reactors and algae photo bioreactors tailored for urban environments, Olatunbosun is committed to promoting sustainable practices, particularly in Nigeria. As a key member of the BioApplications Initiative, Olatunbosun plays a crucial role in transforming wastewater into clean water and green energy, contributing to the organization's focus on circular urban wastewater management systems. With a holistic approach to addressing societal challenges, Olatunbosun also engages in impactful research projects, such as studying the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on low and middle-income individuals in Nigeria. // Bio-energy inventor // technology, water, sanitation, hydrogen, bioenergy, green energy, wastewater management, climate tech, paper, anaerobic digestion, green housing, climate action, urban water, septic, data, circular economy, cleantech, organic waste management, water sanitation, urban, biofuel, youth leadership, waste management, circular water economy, research, water management, algae oxidation, climate, design, microbes, wash, policy, waste, covid, women, clean energy, public policy, organic, biotech, youth, pandemic, taxes, plants, food production, environmental impact, logistics, renewable energy, climate technology, wastewater, income, housing, food, human waste, rain water, clean tech, clean water, biotechnology, software, microbiology, energy, ecology, climate action., algae // Lagos|Nigeria

Lagos|Nigeria

Entrepreneurship, Impact, Mental Health, Psychology, Psychotherapy

2022

South Africa

Psychologist and entrepreneur // I am an entrepreneur, a researcher, and a practicing psychologist. I am the Founder and CEO of Alter -- a science-based platform helping people find the right and professional psychologist. My mission has three parts: to make mental health accessible to all, to make it as effective as possible, and to overcome the stigma around mental health care to enable people to thrive. Currently got my Master degree from UPenn. TED fellow, Forbes 30 under 30, Cartier Women’s Initiative finalist. // During the Soviet Union era, therapy was often used as a tool of political oppression. Since then, Russia has seen major reforms in mental health care -- but stigmas and distrust for the practice still live on. Psychologist and TED Fellow Olga Kitaina shares the current state of therapy in Russia (where tarot card readers and astrologers sometimes pass as psychoanalysts) and outlines her solution for getting people the professional help they need. // I am an entrepreneur, a researcher, and a practicing psychologist. I am the Founder and CEO of Alter -- a science-based platform helping people find the right and professional psychologist. My mission has three parts: to make mental health accessible to all, to make it as effective as possible, and to overcome the stigma around mental health care to enable people to thrive. Currently got my Master degree from UPenn. TED fellow, Forbes 30 under 30, Cartier Women’s Initiative finalist. // Psychologist and entrepreneur // mental health, impact, entrepreneurship, psychology, psychotherapy // Tel Aviv-Yafo|Tel Aviv|Israel|Tel Aviv District

Tel Aviv-Yafo|Tel Aviv|Israel|Tel Aviv District

Architectural Design, Collaborative Models, Design Thinking, Environmental design, Machine Vision, Materials characterization, Public Art, Public Space Design, Spatial Analysis & Data research, cultural infrastructure

2009

United States

Molecular Biology & Genetics

2012

Norway

Synthetic biologist // Open source synthetic biologist and founder of Genspace, a first of its kind community biolab. He believes that DIY genetic bioengineering should be available to all. // Open source synthetic biologist and founder of Genspace, a first of its kind community biolab. He believes that DIY genetic bioengineering should be available to all. // Synthetic biologist // open source, molecular biology & genetics, bioengineering

Bacteria, Entrepreneurship, Fermentations, Industrial biotechnology

2025

Pakistan