Step inside the TED Fellows community

2009

Pakistan

Pakistan development specialist // Pakistan development specialist // Karachi|Sindh|Pakistan

Karachi|Sindh|Pakistan

Acting & Theater, Astrobiology, Astronomy

2015

Astrobiologist // Dr. Aomawa Shields is an Astronomer and an Astrobiologist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UCLA and at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. She was awarded an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship and a UC President’s Postdoctoral Program Fellowship to study the possible climates of potentially habitable worlds discovered around low-mass stars, and to assess their potential to harbor life. Aomawa received her Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrobiology from the University of Washington in 2014, and a Sc.B. in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences from MIT in 1997. She worked in support of the Spitzer Space Telescope as a member of its Science User Support and Observation Planning and Scheduling Teams from 2005 to 2009. Aomawa is also a classically trained Actor and Violinist, receiving her MFA in Acting from UCLA in 2001. She appeared in the film Nine Lives, directed by Rodrigo Garcia, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was one of Ebert and Roeper’s “Top Ten Films of 2005”. She co-hosted the PBS TV show Wired Science, and has appeared on The History Channel’s Universe, and The Discovery Channel’s SciTrek series. She published an essay "Universe: The Sequel" in the anthology "She's Such a Geek: Women Write About Science, Technology, and Other Nerdy Stuff" (Seal Press 2006), and the poem "Nefertiti with a Calculator" in the literary journal "Bricolage" (2011). A FabFems (www.fabfems.org) registered role model, Dr. Shields uses her theater background to communicate science to the public in engaging, innovative ways. She is deeply committed to the mentorship and empowerment of people traditionally underrepresented in the sciences. Her NSF postdoctoral fellowship supported the development of an interactive astronomy workshop for young middle-school girls of color, which she conducts with girls in Los Angeles, CA and Cambridge, MA. Her new organization, Rising Stargirls, is dedicated to encouraging girls of all colors and backgrounds to learn, explore, and discover the universe. Rising Stargirls is committed to the idea that there is no one way to be a scientist, and that together, both science and the arts can create enlightened future scientists and imaginative thinkers. For information on bringing these workshop activities to a community near you, visit http://www.risingstargirls.org . // Dr. Aomawa Shields is an Astronomer and Astrobiologist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UCLA and at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. She was awarded an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship and a UC President’s Postdoctoral Program Fellowship beginning Fall 2014 to study the possible climates of potentially habitable worlds discovered around low-mass stars. Aomawa received her Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrobiology from the University of Washington in 2014, and a Sc.B. in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences from MIT in 1997. She worked in support of the Spitzer Space Telescope as a member of its Science User Support and Observation Planning and Scheduling Teams from 2005 to 2009. Aomawa is also a classically trained Actor and Violinist, receiving her MFA in Acting from UCLA in 2001. She appeared in the film Nine Lives, directed by Rodrigo Garcia, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was one of Ebert and Roeper’s “Top Ten Films of 2005”. She co-hosted the PBS TV show Wired Science, and has appeared on The History Channel’s Universe, and The Discovery Channel’s SciTrek series. She published an essay "Universe: The Sequel" in the anthology "She's Such a Geek: Women Write About Science, Technology, and Other Nerdy Stuff" (Seal Press 2006), and the poem "Nefertiti with a Calculator" in the literary journal "Bricolage" (2011). Aomawa uses her theater background to communicate science to the public in engaging, innovative ways. She is deeply committed to the mentorship and empowerment of people traditionally underrepresented in the sciences. Her NSF postdoctoral fellowship supported the development of an interactive astronomy workshop for young middle-school girls of color, which she will conduct with girls in Los Angeles, CA and Cambridge, MA this year. For information on bringing these workshop activities to a community near you, visit http://www.risingstargirls.org . // Astronomer Aomawa Shields searches for clues that life might exist elsewhere in the universe by examining the atmospheres of distant exoplanets. When she isn't exploring the heavens, the classically trained actor (and TED Fellow) looks for ways to engage young women in the sciences using theater, writing and visual art. "Maybe one day they'll join the ranks of astronomers who are full of contradictions," she says, "and use their backgrounds to discover, once and for all, that we are truly not alone in the universe." // Dr. Aomawa Shields is an Astronomer and Astrobiologist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UCLA and at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. She was awarded an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship and a UC President’s Postdoctoral Program Fellowship beginning Fall 2014 to study the possible climates of potentially habitable worlds discovered around low-mass stars. Aomawa received her Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrobiology from the University of Washington in 2014, and a Sc.B. in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences from MIT in 1997. She worked in support of the Spitzer Space Telescope as a member of its Science User Support and Observation Planning and Scheduling Teams from 2005 to 2009. Aomawa is also a classically trained Actor and Violinist, receiving her MFA in Acting from UCLA in 2001. She appeared in the film Nine Lives, directed by Rodrigo Garcia, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was one of Ebert and Roeper’s “Top Ten Films of 2005”. She co-hosted the PBS TV show Wired Science, and has appeared on The History Channel’s Universe, and The Discovery Channel’s SciTrek series. She published an essay "Universe: The Sequel" in the anthology "She's Such a Geek: Women Write About Science, Technology, and Other Nerdy Stuff" (Seal Press 2006), and the poem "Nefertiti with a Calculator" in the literary journal "Bricolage" (2011). Aomawa uses her theater background to communicate science to the public in engaging, innovative ways. She is deeply committed to the mentorship and empowerment of people traditionally underrepresented in the sciences. Her NSF postdoctoral fellowship supported the development of an interactive astronomy workshop for young middle-school girls of color, which she will conduct with girls in Los Angeles, CA and Cambridge, MA this year. For information on bringing these workshop activities to a community near you, visit http://www.risingstargirls.org . // Astrobiologist // technology, girls, empowerment, science, underrepresented, astronomy, astrobiology, women, acting & theater

2020

UROGYNECOLOGIST, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH INNOVATOR // Urogynecologist and founder of ARMMAN, an organization leveraging mobile technology to empower, inform and serve the more than 14 million Indian women and children plagued by gaps in healthcare infrastructure. // Overcrowded clinics, extensive wait times and overworked doctors are taking a devastating toll on mothers and children in India. In this eye-opening talk, urogynecologist and TED Fellow Aparna Hegde exposes the systemic gaps that lead to preventable deaths every minute -- and introduces scalable, affordable and empowering tech solutions that improve maternal and child health outcomes, upend patriarchal family dynamics and save lives. // Urogynecologist and founder of ARMMAN, an organization leveraging mobile technology to empower, inform and serve the more than 14 million Indian women and children plagued by gaps in healthcare infrastructure. // UROGYNECOLOGIST, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH INNOVATOR // technology, children, infrastructure, affordable, women

Art, Artistic Conceptualisation, Furniture design, Manufacturing & Fabrication, Research, Robotics, Technology Appropriation

2009, 2011

India

Pors & Rao have developed PATHOS, a platform that enables artists and non-engineers to utilize robotics for expressive movement and response. Supported by Google Arts & Culture, the tool allows for detailed animation of motors through a browser-based interface, eliminating the need for extensive technical expertise. The project, initiated in 2014 and further developed in 2017, aims to create lifelike objects using robotics, bridging the gap between artistic vision and technical implementation. Pors & Rao, known for their work in robotic motion and response, established the Robotics Aesthetics & Usability Center at ETH Zurich to expand the project's reach into the visual arts field. Their tool enables the creation and manipulation of motion curves, offering real-time feedback and functions like 'Stretch Curve' and 'Copy-Paste'. Through their art, Pors & Rao explore themes of emotion, awareness, and sentience, showcasing how behavioral algorithms can bring inanimate objects to life. // Contribute something to the field of contemporary art, become a great example of crafts community led furniture design company; design for social impact and hope to make robotics accessible for non engineers/ artists. // Aparna Rao, along with Pors & Rao, is a pioneering figure in the field of robotics and contemporary art. They have developed PATHOS, a user-friendly platform that empowers artists and non-engineers to create expressive robotic movements without requiring extensive technical knowledge. Their work, supported by Google Arts & Culture, focuses on bridging the gap between artistic vision and technical implementation by enabling detailed animation of motors through a browser-based interface. Pors & Rao's Robotics Aesthetics & Usability Center at ETH Zurich further expands the project's impact in the visual arts field. Through their exploration of themes like emotion and sentience, they showcase how behavioral algorithms can animate inanimate objects, pushing the boundaries of art and technology integration. // Artist // Aparna Rao (1978, India) is a part of the artistic duo Pors & Rao, since 2004. This is a multi-disciplinary art practice involving mechanical and electronic engineering, programming and manufacturing processes. In 2009 they began to show their works at Expanded Box section at ARCO Madrid, Spain; Indian Highway curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Julia Peyton-Jones and Gunnar Kvaran at the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Norway; and at the 4th Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale, curated by Raiji Kuroda, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan. Since then the duo has focused on developing new works. Applied Fiction is their first-ever solo exhibition and after being exhibited in New Delhi it will travel to Centro de Arte Caja de Burgos, Spain, in May 2011. Pors & Rao have also been recently awarded a commission from the Metamatic Research Initiative, an Amsterdam-based non-profit organization to realize their longstanding interactive installation Nisse TV. // In this charming talk, artist Aparna Rao shows us her latest work: cool, cartoony sculptures (with neat robotic tricks underneath them) that play with your perception -- and crave your attention. Take a few minutes to simply be delighted. // Artist and TED Fellow Aparna Rao re-imagines the familiar in surprising, often humorous ways. With her collaborator Soren Pors, Rao creates high-tech art installations -- a typewriter that sends emails, a camera that tracks you through the room only to make you invisible on screen -- that put a playful spin on ordinary objects and interactions. // Aparna Rao, along with Pors & Rao, is a pioneering figure in the field of robotics and contemporary art. They have developed PATHOS, a user-friendly platform that empowers artists and non-engineers to create expressive robotic movements without requiring extensive technical knowledge. Their work, supported by Google Arts & Culture, focuses on bridging the gap between artistic vision and technical implementation by enabling detailed animation of motors through a browser-based interface. Pors & Rao's Robotics Aesthetics & Usability Center at ETH Zurich further expands the project's impact in the visual arts field. Through their exploration of themes like emotion and sentience, they showcase how behavioral algorithms can animate inanimate objects, pushing the boundaries of art and technology integration. // Artist // research, technology, design, robotics, led, artistic conceptualisation, technology appropriation, furniture design, manufacturing, art, manufacturing & fabrication // Bangalore|Karnataka|Bengaluru|India

Bangalore|Karnataka|Bengaluru|India

2009

United States

Filmmaker // Program Director. Community Builder. Filmmaker @globalrickshaw. @TEDFellow. @GirlsWriteNow Digital Mentor. @subdriftNYC Organizer. I'm interested in connecting social innovation and education initiatives to a global dialogue through media advocacy, education, and youth empowerment. Most of my life I have worked in the non-profit and NGO sector. I'm a real people person and thrive in collaborative environments that encourage experimentation, debate, and community building. My experiences include designing and executing short videos that share powerful stories; and strategizing an international program aimed at personal transformation and grassroots engagement. I'm at my best when I can exchange ideas and push them forward with a group of people working towards a dynamic vision. // Aparna Wilder is the Co-Founder and COO of IRL Labs. She has over 10 years experience leading education and community development initiatives. Aparna works closely with teachers, students, and research assistants to integrate immersive technology into education interventions and specialized curriculum. Aparna also serves as the Associate Director of Student Programs and Outreach at the Center for the Advanced Study of India at the University of Pennsylvania. // Aparna Wilder is the Co-Founder and COO of IRL Labs. She has over 10 years experience leading education and community development initiatives. Aparna works closely with teachers, students, and research assistants to integrate immersive technology into education interventions and specialized curriculum. Aparna also serves as the Associate Director of Student Programs and Outreach at the Center for the Advanced Study of India at the University of Pennsylvania. // Filmmaker // research, technology, grassroots, empowerment, education, youth, community development, youth empowerment, advocacy, teachers // Pennsylvania|United States|Pittsburgh|USA

Pennsylvania|United States|Pittsburgh|USA

Environmental Justice, Environmental Psychology, Environmental Sociology, Natural resource management, poverty alleviation

2009

United States

Environmentalist // A. Karen Baptiste, a national of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Fulbright Scholar, completed her Ph.D. in Environmental and Natural Resource Policy from State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 2008. She graduated from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad with a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Management in 2002 and a M.Sc. in Environmental Management in 2004. Her research interests are in environmental justice, environmental psychology, livelihoods analysis, the rural poor and oil and gas studies. Her current research looks at the intersection between environmental psychology and environmental justice in an attempt to understand the factors that shape environmental actions and environmentalism within the Caribbean region. Having recently completed a Ford Foundation Post-doctoral Fellow in the African American Studies Department at Syracuse University, she is now an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Colgate University. // A. Karen Baptiste, a national of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Fulbright Scholar, completed her Ph.D. in Environmental and Natural Resource Policy from State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 2008. She graduated from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad with a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Management in 2002 and a M.Sc. in Environmental Management in 2004. Her research interests are in environmental justice, environmental psychology, livelihoods analysis, the rural poor and oil and gas studies. Her current research looks at the intersection between environmental psychology and environmental justice in an attempt to understand the factors that shape environmental actions and environmentalism within the Caribbean region. Having recently completed a Ford Foundation Post-doctoral Fellow in the African American Studies Department at Syracuse University, she is now an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Colgate University. // A. Karen Baptiste, a national of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Fulbright Scholar, completed her Ph.D. in Environmental and Natural Resource Policy from State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 2008. She graduated from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad with a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Management in 2002 and a M.Sc. in Environmental Management in 2004. Her research interests are in environmental justice, environmental psychology, livelihoods analysis, the rural poor and oil and gas studies. Her current research looks at the intersection between environmental psychology and environmental justice in an attempt to understand the factors that shape environmental actions and environmentalism within the Caribbean region. Having recently completed a Ford Foundation Post-doctoral Fellow in the African American Studies Department at Syracuse University, she is now an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Colgate University. // Environmentalist // forest, poverty alleviation, research, environmental justice, policy, natural resources, environmental management, resource management, livelihoods, forestry, environmental sociology, environmental psychology, natural resource management, drilling, rural poor, gas and oil drilling, rural, science, poverty, justice // New York|United States|Hamilton|USA

New York|United States|Hamilton|USA

2009

United States

Inventor // Apurv is a young inventor. Among his inventions are devices for people with low vision, devices for monitoring health and a "Glabenator“, a communication device for people with paralysis, which he created in response to a condition his grandfather faced. He founded Glavio Wearable Computing; IFFGlobal, one of the first think tanks on open innovation; Future.ly for geospatial mapping of emerging technology clusters. He has lectured during the Nobel Prize Ceremony in Stockholm and won the International Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award and a National Award from President of India. Apurv holds an MPhil in Technology Policy from the University of Cambridge and a TED Fellow. // Apurv Mishra is a TED Fellow, deep tech entrepreneur and a cross-disciplinary expert in Machine Learning, Data Privacy and Cryptography. He recently Co-Founded Beskar Inc. where he is developing next generation Data Anonymization and Security Systems as the Chief Technology Officer. Over the past 14 years, Apurv has successfully built multiple ventures and holds several patents in the space. His contributions have wide-ranging impact: • Served as an emerging technologies council member at the World Economic Forum, Scientific American. • Advised governments including the Parliament of Japan and the Government of the United Arab Emirates. • Driven innovation at Deutsche Telekom, Jaguar Land Rover, ARM, Microsoft Research and BMW. In 2016, Apurv became the Chief Technology Officer of doc.ai (acquired by Sharecare) and soon to be publicly traded digital health company. Anthem has partnered with doc.ai with a $100 million contract to use the platform and portfolio of privacy-first technologies and artificial intelligence software service. He is also the former Chief Operating Officer of Datawallet, a leading data privacy compliance platform. Raised over $41 Million USD backed by Tim Draper and Marc Benioff (CEO of Salesforce). He has been the youngest member of the World Economic Forum - Global Agenda Meta-Council on Emerging Technologies 2014 - 2016 and Member of the World Economic Forum - Global Agenda Council on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, 2014-2016. He holds a Masters in Technology Policy from University of Cambridge - Department of Engineering. He invented 'Glabenator' aged 14 years, in response to his grandfather's paralysis. This invention won the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Grand Award 2006 (Engineering) at Indianapolis, President of India's National Technology Award 2006 and Lecture during Nobel Prize Ceremony 2009 at Stockholm (as Nobel Foundation's Seaborg SIYSS Fellow). // Apurv Mishra is a TED Fellow, deep tech entrepreneur and a cross-disciplinary expert in Machine Learning, Data Privacy and Cryptography. He recently Co-Founded Beskar Inc. where he is developing next generation Data Anonymization and Security Systems as the Chief Technology Officer. Over the past 14 years, Apurv has successfully built multiple ventures and holds several patents in the space. His contributions have wide-ranging impact: • Served as an emerging technologies council member at the World Economic Forum, Scientific American. • Advised governments including the Parliament of Japan and the Government of the United Arab Emirates. • Driven innovation at Deutsche Telekom, Jaguar Land Rover, ARM, Microsoft Research and BMW. In 2016, Apurv became the Chief Technology Officer of doc.ai (acquired by Sharecare) and soon to be publicly traded digital health company. Anthem has partnered with doc.ai with a $100 million contract to use the platform and portfolio of privacy-first technologies and artificial intelligence software service. He is also the former Chief Operating Officer of Datawallet, a leading data privacy compliance platform. Raised over $41 Million USD backed by Tim Draper and Marc Benioff (CEO of Salesforce). He has been the youngest member of the World Economic Forum - Global Agenda Meta-Council on Emerging Technologies 2014 - 2016 and Member of the World Economic Forum - Global Agenda Council on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, 2014-2016. He holds a Masters in Technology Policy from University of Cambridge - Department of Engineering. He invented 'Glabenator' aged 14 years, in response to his grandfather's paralysis. This invention won the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Grand Award 2006 (Engineering) at Indianapolis, President of India's National Technology Award 2006 and Lecture during Nobel Prize Ceremony 2009 at Stockholm (as Nobel Foundation's Seaborg SIYSS Fellow). // Inventor // technology, research, artificial intelligence, robotics, science, compliance, policy, land, monitoring, communication, deep tech, machine learning, data, emerging technology, government, software, geospatial analysis // California|United States|San Francisco

California|United States|San Francisco

Astrobiology, Desert Environments, Extremophiles, Mars, Molecular Biology, Xerophiles

2017

Spain

Astrobiologist // TED Fellow 2017. Global Viral Visiting Scientist. Research Scientist at the Center of Astrobiology in Madrid in Spain. Working with NASA to send a greenhouse to the Moon and Mars. Will attempt the first genetic engineering of plants in space. Former Scientific Advisor of the Chilean Senate. Former Director of the Department of Astrobiology of the AngelicvM Institute of Space Research. // How can you study Mars without a spaceship? Head to the most Martian place on Earth -- the Atacama Desert in Chile. Astrobiologist Armando Azua-Bustos grew up in this vast, arid landscape and now studies the rare life forms that have adapted to survive there, some in areas with no reported rainfall for the past 400 years. Explore the possibility of finding life elsewhere in the universe without leaving the planet with this quick, funny talk. // TED Fellow 2017. Global Viral Visiting Scientist. Research Scientist at the Center of Astrobiology in Madrid in Spain. Working with NASA to send a greenhouse to the Moon and Mars. Will attempt the first genetic engineering of plants in space. Former Scientific Advisor of the Chilean Senate. Former Director of the Department of Astrobiology of the AngelicvM Institute of Space Research. // Astrobiologist // research, precipitation, desert, plants, greenhouse // Community of Madrid|Torrejón de Ardoz|Spain

Community of Madrid|Torrejón de Ardoz|Spain

2019

Technologist // Inventor creating wearable AI devices that augment human cognition and give voice to those who have lost their ability to speak. // Try talking to yourself without opening your mouth, by simply saying words internally. What if you could search the internet like that -- and get an answer back? In the first live public demo of his new technology, TED Fellow Arnav Kapur introduces AlterEgo: a wearable AI device with the potential to let you silently talk to and get information from a computer system, like a voice inside your head. Learn more about how the device works and the far-reaching implications of this new kind of human-computer interaction. // Inventor creating wearable AI devices that augment human cognition and give voice to those who have lost their ability to speak. // Technologist // technology, artificial intelligence

Business Development, Coach, Consultant, Industry Institute Partnership, Mobility Engineering, Operations

2009

Oman

Race car Entrepreneur // Founder of Ashwa Racing, an organization designing and testing Formula SAE race-cars // Arunraj Subbaraj is the founder of Ashwa Mobility , an organization which designs,fabricates and tests vehicle prototypes in the brand Ashwa Racing . Ashwa Racing develops single seater race cars in 3 different technology platforms Combustion,Hybrid and Electric extending to Vehicle mobility for Land , Air ,Sea and Space // Arunraj Subbaraj is the founder of Ashwa Mobility , an organization which designs,fabricates and tests vehicle prototypes in the brand Ashwa Racing . Ashwa Racing develops single seater race cars in 3 different technology platforms Combustion,Hybrid and Electric extending to Vehicle mobility for Land , Air ,Sea and Space // Race car Entrepreneur // technology, coach, electric, mobility, industry institute partnership, consultant, operations, business development, land, cars, mobility engineering // Muscat|Muscat Governorate|Oman

Muscat|Muscat Governorate|Oman

Climate & Environmental Education, Coastal & Ocean Conservation, Deep Sea Exploration, Environmental Policy & Advocacy, Forests & Forestry, Geospatial Analysis, Marine Biology and Oceanography, Marine Conservation, Natural Resource & Environmental Management, Nature & Ecology, Science Communication, Whale photographer

2013, 2012

Sri Lanka

Dr. Asha de Vos is an internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan marine biologist, ocean educator, and pioneer of long-term blue whale research in the Northern Indian Ocean. She is known for her work in marine conservation and equity advocacy. Dr. de Vos holds degrees from prestigious universities and founded Oceanswell, Sri Lanka's first marine conservation research and education organization. Her achievements have been recognized globally, and she has been featured by prominent media outlets. Additionally, she has received numerous awards for her contributions to field biology and marine conservation. // Marine biologist. Ocean educator. Founder/Executive Director, Oceanswell. National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Pew Fellow in Marine conservation. TED senior fellow. World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Adjunct Research Fellow, The Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia. BBC 100 2018 (most inspirational and influential women in the world); LMD Sri Lankan of the Year 2018. // Channel 7 documentaryhttp://bitly.com/SMFUE7The New York Timeshttp://bit.ly/WRVELhCNN interview and opinion piecehttp://bit.ly/SiTVvO // Asha de Vos is a marine biologist and ocean educator with a strong focus on marine conservation. As the Founder and Executive Director of Oceanswell, she has made significant contributions to the field and has been recognized as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation. With a TED senior fellowship and being a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Asha is actively involved in shaping conversations around ocean conservation and sustainability. Her work has been featured in various prestigious platforms such as BBC 100, The New York Times, CNN, and she was named LMD Sri Lankan of the Year in 2018. // Dr. Asha de Vos is a distinguished marine biologist and ocean educator renowned for her groundbreaking research on blue whales in the Northern Indian Ocean. As the Founder and Executive Director of Oceanswell, Sri Lanka's premier marine conservation organization, she has spearheaded efforts in marine conservation and equity advocacy. Dr. de Vos's work has garnered international acclaim, leading to her recognition as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation. With a TED senior fellowship and a role as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, she actively shapes global dialogues on ocean conservation and sustainability. Her contributions have been featured in esteemed media outlets like BBC 100 and The New York Times, solidifying her position as a leading figure in the field of marine biology and conservation. // Blue whale scientist // I am a born, bred and proud Sri Lankan. I work to save a population of blue whales, that I call The Unorthodox Whales, in the waters of the northern Indian Ocean but I also try to inspire the next generation of ocean heroes. My work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, BBC, Channel 7 Australia, National Geographic online and in many newspapers around the world. When I am not working on my research, I can usually be found longingly hovering around, on or in the water, eating, running or telling stories about my other super-power which involves attracting weirdos... // I am a marine biologist currently working with blue whales in the Northern Indian Ocean.I am trying to stop them getting hit and killed by large container ships.For this I do science, outreach and push for policy changes and also look for innovative tools that can help solve conservation problems of this nature. I am also an advocate of contextualising conservation, particularly in the marine realm. Making sure people know why we need to protect the oceans and how healthy oceans means healthy us. I work with the media and do public talks to create this awareness and because I believe, the more people know, the more they care and the more responsible they feel to do something. Check www.ashadevos.com to learn more about my work! // Whales have a surprising and important job, says marine biologist Asha de Vos: these massive creatures are ecosystem engineers, keeping the oceans healthy and stable by ... well, by pooping, for a start. Learn from de Vos, a TED Fellow, about the undervalued work that whales do to help maintain the stability and health of our seas -- and our planet. // Dr. Asha de Vos is a distinguished marine biologist and ocean educator renowned for her groundbreaking research on blue whales in the Northern Indian Ocean. As the Founder and Executive Director of Oceanswell, Sri Lanka's premier marine conservation organization, she has spearheaded efforts in marine conservation and equity advocacy. Dr. de Vos's work has garnered international acclaim, leading to her recognition as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation. With a TED senior fellowship and a role as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, she actively shapes global dialogues on ocean conservation and sustainability. Her contributions have been featured in esteemed media outlets like BBC 100 and The New York Times, solidifying her position as a leading figure in the field of marine biology and conservation. // Blue whale scientist // marine megafauna, water, education, forest, blue whales, biodiversity, marine biology and oceanography, buildings, water quality, coastal, social equity, equity, geospatial analysis, research, fishing, corporate social responsibility, educator,, climate, environmental education, sustainable development , environmental policy and advocacy, marine biology, natural resources, policy, environmental management, whale photographer, resource management, aquatic, women, marine mammals, forestry, wildlife, oceans, ocean justice, positivity, building science, environmental consciousness, marine conservation, deep sea water, advocacy, natural resource management, environmental impact, conservation, nature, science, remote-sensing, oceanography, communication, deep sea exploration, justice, ecology, marine ecology, capacity building // Sri Lanka|Colombo|Western Province

Sri Lanka|Colombo|Western Province

Debate, Microbial Fuel Cells, Solar technology

2009

United States

Appropriate technologist // Appropriate technology engineer developing microbial fuel cells that convert wastewater into clean water and electricity // Ashish recently graduated as the class valedictorian from Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon. He is currently a freshman in the Jerome Fisher M&T program at the University of Pennsylvania. His interests span from engineering and math to history and policy. In ninth grade he visited many rural areas in India with his father on a social service trip. There he noticed extensive lack of access to potable water and energy. He has conducted two research projects on appropriate technologies involving water and energy. One was on efficient microbial fuel cells that convert wastewater into clean water and electricity. The other project was cost-effectively harvesting energy from the sun using novel “water lenses.” Some of his recent awards include the First Place Grand Award at the International Science and Engineering Fair 2009, the 2009 International BioGENEious Award, the MIT Think Award, and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in 2008 and 2009. In the future, he plans to continue research on sustainable water and energy technologies. // Ashish recently graduated as the class valedictorian from Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon. He is currently a freshman in the Jerome Fisher M&T program at the University of Pennsylvania. His interests span from engineering and math to history and policy. In ninth grade he visited many rural areas in India with his father on a social service trip. There he noticed extensive lack of access to potable water and energy. He has conducted two research projects on appropriate technologies involving water and energy. One was on efficient microbial fuel cells that convert wastewater into clean water and electricity. The other project was cost-effectively harvesting energy from the sun using novel “water lenses.” Some of his recent awards include the First Place Grand Award at the International Science and Engineering Fair 2009, the 2009 International BioGENEious Award, the MIT Think Award, and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in 2008 and 2009. In the future, he plans to continue research on sustainable water and energy technologies. // Appropriate technologist // technology, research, wastewater, water, rural, water management, microbes, rural areas, water-energy-nexus, science, microbial fuel cells, policy, electricity, clean water, solar technology, solar, debate // Oregon|Portland|United States|USA

Oregon|Portland|United States|USA

Citizen Science, Climate Change, Community Engagement, Conservation Advocacy, Data & Data Analysis, Environmental Policy & Advocacy, Farming & Agriculture, Fisheries & Aquatic Species, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) & Geospatial Analysis, Natural Resource Management, Science Communication, Wildlife Conservation

2019

United States

The University of Arizona; FishCat.org; University of Arizona; Vellore Institute of Technology; National Park Service; TED Conferences

The Fishing Cat Conservancy, led by conservationist Ashwin Naidu, focuses on protecting mangroves and fishing cats in Asia. The organization provides local communities with conservation jobs and alternative livelihoods to combat deforestation caused by fish and shrimp farming. By engaging in activities such as monitoring fishing cats and reforesting mangroves, the conservancy aims to restore this crucial ecosystem and encourage global communities to offset their carbon footprints. // FishCat is an organization focused on conservation, partnering with landowners and conservationists to protect habitats for endangered species. They work to create conservation-based livelihoods, aiming to restore ecosystems and address issues like deforestation and climate change. FishCat has established Nature Reserves in various countries and offers opportunities for individuals to support their work through donations and subscriptions. They also engage in reforestation efforts through unique merchandise campaigns. // Working to protect and restore earth’s most valuable ecosystems 🌳 — more at FishCat.org, and ted.com/speakers/ashwin_naidu // 1. Landscape genetic assessment of mountain lion population structure, individual source identification, and habitat connectivity in the Sonoran and Mojave Desert landscape2. Establishment of a forensic genetic database for mountain lions in Arizona to enable a secure data storage and data sharing template for future research needs 3. Camera-trap surveys and conservation education in South India for endangered and vulnerable wild cats – tiger, fishing cat and rusty-spotted cat // Conservation Expeditions by FishCat.org // Empowering global communities to help solve deforestation, extinction, and climate change 🌏 www.FishCat.org // Chief Everything Officer // Science communication and coordination support to the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative (www.desertlcc.org) // Genetic identification of minimum number, sex and diet of mountain lions and bobcats occurring on Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona: IUCN Cat Specialist Group's Project of the Month - April 2010 (www.catsg.org)Master's Thesis of Ashwin Naidu, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona(http://www.adbss.org/MS_THESIS_-_ASHWIN_NAIDU_-_DEC__2009.pdf) // Conservation Expeditions by FishCat.org // Chief Everything Officer // Expeditions that support Conservationists who partner with landowners and work to create, restore, and protect Nature Reserves for endangered wildlife across the planet 🐆🌳🌏🐾 // An experimental project to use expeditions for conservation education, research, and actions worldwide. // An ongoing project to expand the use of environmental photojournalism expertise towards awareness on conservation research projects and conservation education worldwide. // The University of Arizona; FishCat.org; University of Arizona; Vellore Institute of Technology; National Park Service; TED Conferences // Ashwin Naidu is a dedicated conservationist and scientist with a focus on protecting and restoring critical ecosystems worldwide. With a background in landscape genetics, Ashwin has conducted assessments of mountain lion populations, established genetic databases for conservation research, and led camera-trap surveys for endangered wild cats. As the Chief Everything Officer at FishCat.org, Ashwin empowers global communities to address deforestation, extinction, and climate change through conservation expeditions and science communication efforts. With a Master's degree in Natural Resources, Ashwin's work includes coordinating with organizations like the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative and contributing to projects recognized by the IUCN Cat Specialist Group. Ashwin's passion lies in leveraging expeditions for conservation education, research, and environmental photojournalism to raise awareness and drive action for wildlife protection. // I'm working to grow my nonprofit org (FishCat.org) by leading conservation expeditions, especially in South and Southeast Asia where the fishing cats and mangrove forests are. Anyone/everyone is welcome to join these experiences (take a vacation for wildlife) and help directly support the conservation lodges + local landowners who we are working with to create FishCat Nature Reserves. With each expedition, we're looking to further small-scale ecological restoration (at these Reserves) and create "conservation tourism" as an economic system that can incentivize the protection of larger landscapes. // Ashwin Naidu is a conservationist and scientist dedicated to protecting and restoring critical ecosystems, with a particular focus on mangrove forests and fishing cats in Asia. As the leader of The Fishing Cat Conservancy and FishCat.org, Ashwin works on initiatives that combat deforestation, support local communities with conservation jobs, and engage in reforestation efforts. With a background in landscape genetics, Ashwin has conducted population assessments and established genetic databases for conservation research. Through conservation expeditions and science communication efforts, Ashwin aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving wildlife and ecosystems, while also promoting conservation-based livelihoods and eco-tourism as sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. // Fishing cat conservationist // Conservationist and co-founder of Fishing Cat Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting fishing cats and their endangered mangrove habitat. // While scientists and conservationists are working to save many species, I believe that all global citizens are equally powerful in helping save wildlife and the planet's natural resources. During my Master's and Ph.D. studies in wildlife conservation, I realized that anyone, with or without a degree or qualification, has a license to save the world from extinction. My work focuses on applying interdisciplinary approaches for the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. Inspired by the potential of community-based conservation, I started the Fishing Cat Conservancy in 2014 to help empower local communities to protect the endangered fishing cat and its globally important mangrove habitat in their backyards. // Mangrove forests are crucial to the health of the planet, gobbling up CO2 from the atmosphere and providing a home for a diverse array of species. But these rich habitats are under continual threat from deforestation and industry. In an empowering talk, conservationist and TED Fellow Ashwin Naidu shares how community-driven efforts in South and Southeast Asia are working to protect mangroves -- all with a little help from the mysterious and endangered fishing cat. // Ashwin Naidu is a conservationist and scientist dedicated to protecting and restoring critical ecosystems, with a particular focus on mangrove forests and fishing cats in Asia. As the leader of The Fishing Cat Conservancy and FishCat.org, Ashwin works on initiatives that combat deforestation, support local communities with conservation jobs, and engage in reforestation efforts. With a background in landscape genetics, Ashwin has conducted population assessments and established genetic databases for conservation research. Through conservation expeditions and science communication efforts, Ashwin aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving wildlife and ecosystems, while also promoting conservation-based livelihoods and eco-tourism as sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. // Fishing cat conservationist // ecology, desert, forest, education, fish, biodiversity, led, mountain lions, geographic information systems, extinction, data, jobs, tourism, habitat, geospatial analysis, research, ecosystem, climate, citizen scientist, farming, environmental education, environmental policy and advocacy, conservation education, policy, natural resources, landscape conservation, community engagement, conservation advocacy, mangroves, monitoring, species, wildlife protection, resource management, livelihoods, wildlife, carbon, deforestation, data analysis, climate change, environmental consciousness, advocacy, shrimp, natural resource management, wildlife conservation, campaigns, conservation, science communication, ecological restoration, nature, community-based conservation, science, remote-sensing, citizen science, wildlife refuge, shrimp farming, biological conservation, data storage, vulnerability, restoration, local communities, tiger, communication, co2, reforestation, fishing, endangered species // USA|India|Tucson|Arizona|United States|Hyderabad

USA|India|Tucson|Arizona|United States|Hyderabad

healthcare, social entrepreneurship, startups

2009

India

Hospital entrepreneur // Founder of Vaatsalya, an Indian venture building the country's first network of hospitals in semi-urban and rural areas // Ashwin Naik is a an entrepreneur/advisor with interests in healthcare delivery, social enterprise and tech enabled health startups. Ashwin is the Founder of Vaatsalya Healthcare, an award winning social enterprise, which was the first network of hospitals focused exclusively on Tier II and Tier III towns in India. Vaatsalya has been recognised globally as winner of the Inaugural Porter Prize in India for value based healthcare, the Most Innovative Healthcare Company by VCCircle in 2014 and India’s top 10 innovative companies by Fast Company in 2013 among many other recognitions. He is passionate about healthcare access and is now deeply engaged in building a right to primary health movement around the world. He is also a Resident Fellow and part of the Leadership Group at Ashoka, a pioneering network of social entrepreneurs worldwide. In addition he co-founded & chairs the National Association of Social Enterprises, India. To support health startups, he also leads DisruptHealth a health focussed ecosystem enabler based in Bangalore and is actively involved in the sector as an advisor and angel investor. Ashwin is a trained physician and has written and spoken about leadership, entrepreneurship, rural health and social entrepreneurship at various forums around the world, including World Health Congress, NHS Alliance, Ashoka Future Forum, Global Philanthropy Forum, and Africa Health summit (KPMG). Ashwin has been recognized as a Economic Times Leaders under 40, Young Global Leader (YGL) 2012 By World Economic Forum, Young Leader by Asia Society Asia21 in 2011, Senior Ashoka Fellow in 2010, Finalist for the India Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2010 by Schwab Foundation, Ted India fellow for 2009. Dare Magazine India in its April 2011 edition profiled Ashwin as 50 inspiring Entrepreneurs of India. Ashwin has a medical degree from Karnatak Medical College, Hubli and a Masters from University of Houston, Texas. Previously, he was the Vice President of Business Development and Informatics at Triesta Sciences, a clinical genomics company. Ashwin has been part of the human and mouse genome projects at Celera Genomics. He was instrumental in coordinating multidisciplinary teams to compile and analyze human and mouse genomes, leading to two publications in the journal Science. He holds three patents and has contributed a book chapter on Origin of Life. // Ashwin Naik is a an entrepreneur/advisor with interests in healthcare delivery, social enterprise and tech enabled health startups. Ashwin is the Founder of Vaatsalya Healthcare, an award winning social enterprise, which was the first network of hospitals focused exclusively on Tier II and Tier III towns in India. Vaatsalya has been recognised globally as winner of the Inaugural Porter Prize in India for value based healthcare, the Most Innovative Healthcare Company by VCCircle in 2014 and India’s top 10 innovative companies by Fast Company in 2013 among many other recognitions. He is passionate about healthcare access and is now deeply engaged in building a right to primary health movement around the world. He is also a Resident Fellow and part of the Leadership Group at Ashoka, a pioneering network of social entrepreneurs worldwide. In addition he co-founded & chairs the National Association of Social Enterprises, India. To support health startups, he also leads DisruptHealth a health focussed ecosystem enabler based in Bangalore and is actively involved in the sector as an advisor and angel investor. Ashwin is a trained physician and has written and spoken about leadership, entrepreneurship, rural health and social entrepreneurship at various forums around the world, including World Health Congress, NHS Alliance, Ashoka Future Forum, Global Philanthropy Forum, and Africa Health summit (KPMG). Ashwin has been recognized as a Economic Times Leaders under 40, Young Global Leader (YGL) 2012 By World Economic Forum, Young Leader by Asia Society Asia21 in 2011, Senior Ashoka Fellow in 2010, Finalist for the India Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2010 by Schwab Foundation, Ted India fellow for 2009. Dare Magazine India in its April 2011 edition profiled Ashwin as 50 inspiring Entrepreneurs of India. Ashwin has a medical degree from Karnatak Medical College, Hubli and a Masters from University of Houston, Texas. Previously, he was the Vice President of Business Development and Informatics at Triesta Sciences, a clinical genomics company. Ashwin has been part of the human and mouse genome projects at Celera Genomics. He was instrumental in coordinating multidisciplinary teams to compile and analyze human and mouse genomes, leading to two publications in the journal Science. He holds three patents and has contributed a book chapter on Origin of Life. // Hospital entrepreneur // technology, rural health, rural, rural areas, entrepreneurship, science, startups, healthcare, social entrepreneurship // Maharashtra|Pune|India

Maharashtra|Pune|India

MALARIA, Public Health, trade unions

2009

Switzerland

Malaria activist // Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck is Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, a global partnership with the goal to relieve the world's malaria burden by 2010. She was Minister of Health of the Republic of Senegal, and a director at the Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDs (UNAIDs) at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, where she led the Department of Policy, Strategy and Research, the largest department within UNAIDs. Coll-Seck was then named Director of the UNAIDs Department of Country and Regional Support.<br /><br />She is the author of more than 150 scientific publications and was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite de la République Francaise, Chevalier des Palmes Académiques Francaises, Officier de l'Ordre du Mérite Sénégalais and Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite du Burkina Faso. // BIOGRAPHY Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck Roll Back Malaria Partnership Executive Director and Former Minister of Health of the Republic of Senegal Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck is Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership. RBM is a global partnership founded in 1998 by WHO, UNDP, UNICEF and the World Bank, with the goal of halving the world's malaria burden by 2010. Prior to this appointment, Awa Marie Coll-Seck was Minister of Health of the Republic of Senegal (2001-2003). As Minister of Health, she initiated far-reaching reform of the health sector in Senegal and engaged a wide range of government, civil society and private sector partners in the implementation and expansion of public health programmes. She mobilized strong political commitment within her country for health to be rightly recognized as key to economic and social development, and she successfully mobilized financial resources both domestically and from bilateral and multilateral international donors. From 1996 to 2001, Awa Marie Coll-Seck served as a Director at the Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Utilizing her skills and experience in policy formulation and scientific research, Awa Marie Coll-Seck led the Department of Policy, Strategy and Research, the largest department within UNAIDS consisting of a diverse group of physicians, nurses, researchers, and other international policy and technical experts "best practice" guidance to assist governments and civil society in mounting their national and community responses to the global AIDS epidemic. Awa Marie Coll-Seck was subsequently named Director of the UNAIDS Department of Country and Regional Support, where she coordinated and mobilized the UN system response to the epidemic while supervising UNAIDS staff serving at four regional offices and at country-level offices throughout Africa, Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Born in 1951 in Dakar, Senegal, Awa Marie Coll-Seck has been awarded numerous professional and academic honours, including the Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite de la République Francaise, Chevalier des Palmes Académiques Francaises, Officier de l’Ordre du Mérite Sénégalais and Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite du Burkina Faso. She was elected as chairperson of Commission B of the 2002 World Health Assembly and as President of the Assembly of the Ministries of Health of the West African Health Organization (WAHO, 2002-2003) and is currently a member of the prestigious Academy of Sciences and Technologies of Senegal. After earning a degree in medicine in 1978 from the University of Dakar, she served for nearly twenty years as a specialist in infectious diseases in leading hospitals in Dakar, Senegal and Lyon, France. In 1989, she was appointed Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the University of Dakar and Chief of Service for Infectious Diseases at the University Hospital in Dakar. Awa Marie Coll-Seck is the author of over 150 scientific publications and communications on diverse subjects - including malaria, measles, meningitis, tetanus, typhoid, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and cardio-vascular diseases - is a member of over 20 professional societies and organizations, and is fluent in French, English and her native Wolof, with a working knowledge of Spanish. In addition to her distinguished professional and academic career, Awa Marie Coll-Seck is married and the mother of four children. // BIOGRAPHY Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck Roll Back Malaria Partnership Executive Director and Former Minister of Health of the Republic of Senegal Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck is Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership. RBM is a global partnership founded in 1998 by WHO, UNDP, UNICEF and the World Bank, with the goal of halving the world's malaria burden by 2010. Prior to this appointment, Awa Marie Coll-Seck was Minister of Health of the Republic of Senegal (2001-2003). As Minister of Health, she initiated far-reaching reform of the health sector in Senegal and engaged a wide range of government, civil society and private sector partners in the implementation and expansion of public health programmes. She mobilized strong political commitment within her country for health to be rightly recognized as key to economic and social development, and she successfully mobilized financial resources both domestically and from bilateral and multilateral international donors. From 1996 to 2001, Awa Marie Coll-Seck served as a Director at the Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Utilizing her skills and experience in policy formulation and scientific research, Awa Marie Coll-Seck led the Department of Policy, Strategy and Research, the largest department within UNAIDS consisting of a diverse group of physicians, nurses, researchers, and other international policy and technical experts "best practice" guidance to assist governments and civil society in mounting their national and community responses to the global AIDS epidemic. Awa Marie Coll-Seck was subsequently named Director of the UNAIDS Department of Country and Regional Support, where she coordinated and mobilized the UN system response to the epidemic while supervising UNAIDS staff serving at four regional offices and at country-level offices throughout Africa, Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Born in 1951 in Dakar, Senegal, Awa Marie Coll-Seck has been awarded numerous professional and academic honours, including the Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite de la République Francaise, Chevalier des Palmes Académiques Francaises, Officier de l’Ordre du Mérite Sénégalais and Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite du Burkina Faso. She was elected as chairperson of Commission B of the 2002 World Health Assembly and as President of the Assembly of the Ministries of Health of the West African Health Organization (WAHO, 2002-2003) and is currently a member of the prestigious Academy of Sciences and Technologies of Senegal. After earning a degree in medicine in 1978 from the University of Dakar, she served for nearly twenty years as a specialist in infectious diseases in leading hospitals in Dakar, Senegal and Lyon, France. In 1989, she was appointed Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the University of Dakar and Chief of Service for Infectious Diseases at the University Hospital in Dakar. Awa Marie Coll-Seck is the author of over 150 scientific publications and communications on diverse subjects - including malaria, measles, meningitis, tetanus, typhoid, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and cardio-vascular diseases - is a member of over 20 professional societies and organizations, and is fluent in French, English and her native Wolof, with a working knowledge of Spanish. In addition to her distinguished professional and academic career, Awa Marie Coll-Seck is married and the mother of four children. // Malaria activist // research, technology, children, trade union movement, led, policy, public health, trade unions, government, communication, disease, infectious disease, finance, malaria // Switzerland|Geneva 27|Geneva

Switzerland|Geneva 27|Geneva