Kenya

Infectious disease doctor // Faith Osier, MBChB, MRCPCH, MSc, PhD. Faith is a 2018 TED Fellow and holds a Sofja Kovalevskaja Award from the Humboldt Foundation. She is Vice-President/President-elect of the International Union of Immunological Societies. Her research is focused on understanding how humans acquire immunity to malaria, with the ultimate aim of translating this knowledge into effective malaria vaccines. She is the leader of SMART (South-South Malaria Antigen Research Partnership), a network of researchers that have shared resources to study antibody responses to the malaria parasite in multiple longitudinal cohorts in Africa. Her research group is spread over two continents, at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya and at Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany. She is passionate about the training of African scientists to tackle the health issues the continent faces. Faith trained as a Paediatrician in Kenya and the United Kingdom before turning to the immunology of malaria. She has held substantial research funding from the Wellcome Trust, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) and the MRC/DFID African Research Leader Programme. Her work has gained international recognition and earned her multiple awards, including the Royal Society Pfizer Award. // The malaria vaccine was invented more than a century ago -- yet each year, hundreds of thousands of people still die from the disease. How can we improve this vital vaccine? In this informative talk, immunologist and TED Fellow Faith Osier shows how she's combining cutting-edge technology with century-old insights in the hopes of creating a new vaccine that eradicates malaria once and for all. // Faith Osier, MBChB, MRCPCH, MSc, PhD. Faith is a 2018 TED Fellow and holds a Sofja Kovalevskaja Award from the Humboldt Foundation. She is Vice-President/President-elect of the International Union of Immunological Societies. Her research is focused on understanding how humans acquire immunity to malaria, with the ultimate aim of translating this knowledge into effective malaria vaccines. She is the leader of SMART (South-South Malaria Antigen Research Partnership), a network of researchers that have shared resources to study antibody responses to the malaria parasite in multiple longitudinal cohorts in Africa. Her research group is spread over two continents, at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya and at Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany. She is passionate about the training of African scientists to tackle the health issues the continent faces. Faith trained as a Paediatrician in Kenya and the United Kingdom before turning to the immunology of malaria. She has held substantial research funding from the Wellcome Trust, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) and the MRC/DFID African Research Leader Programme. Her work has gained international recognition and earned her multiple awards, including the Royal Society Pfizer Award. // Infectious disease doctor // research, developing countries, technology, shared resources, job skills training, infectious disease, disease, malaria // Kilifi County|Kilifi|Kenya

Kilifi County|Kilifi|Kenya

India

Photojournalist // Smita Sharma is an award winning photojournalist and visual storyteller based in Delhi, India, reporting on critical human rights and social justice issues in her own community as well as around the globe on assignments for Human Rights Watch, TIME, National Geographic Magazine, and other publications. From documenting the effect of pregnancy on girl’s education in Kenya to child marriage in Nepal, and sex-trafficking in South Asia, Sharma is committed to representing people with dignity and telling underrepresented stories with impact. Smita is a International Women's Media Foundation reporting fellow. She is the recipient of Amnesty International Media Award for humanistic photography and One World Media Award for her short film “Rebel with a Cause”. Smita’s work has been published in various places and exhibited and shown globally including at the UN Headquarters in New York. // In some parts of the world, girls are as likely to be married off or trafficked as they are to be educated. Photojournalist and TED Fellow Smita Sharma thoughtfully depicts overlooked girls and young women, while making sure not to disrupt the lives of her subjects in the process. Her work shows what might otherwise remain hidden -- the first step to changing the story. // Smita Sharma is an award winning photojournalist and visual storyteller based in Delhi, India, reporting on critical human rights and social justice issues in her own community as well as around the globe on assignments for Human Rights Watch, TIME, National Geographic Magazine, and other publications. From documenting the effect of pregnancy on girl’s education in Kenya to child marriage in Nepal, and sex-trafficking in South Asia, Sharma is committed to representing people with dignity and telling underrepresented stories with impact. Smita is a International Women's Media Foundation reporting fellow. She is the recipient of Amnesty International Media Award for humanistic photography and One World Media Award for her short film “Rebel with a Cause”. Smita’s work has been published in various places and exhibited and shown globally including at the UN Headquarters in New York. // Photojournalist // children, girls, violence, gender based violence, human rights, ethics, rights, education, gender, underrepresented, women's rights, gender violence, social justice, justice, women, ethical photography, visual storyteller // Delhi|India

Delhi|India

Angola

Indigenous conservation champion // Conservation champion and TED Fellow Adjany Costa is on a mission to empower Indigenous communities. Instead of imposing pre-designed policy and plans on local people, she says, conservation efforts should center those who know the land best, enabling them to tailor solutions to their unique environmental, social and economic realities. She presents a roadmap for Indigenous communities to take back ownership of their heritage and reclaim stewardship of their land. "Real community-based conservation ... fosters fierce independence," Costa says. // Indigenous conservation champion // community-based conservation, stewardship and restoration, environmental conservation, indigenous, policy, conservation, restoration, land // Luanda|Angola|Luanda Province

Luanda|Angola|Luanda Province

India

Education entrepreneur // Shaheen Mistri is the Founder of the Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to impact the lives of less privileged children, enabling them to maximise their potential and change their lives. Akanksha works primarily in the field of education, addressing non formal education through its Akanksha centre model and also formal education by initiating school reform. Shaheen started Akanksha at the age of 18. Over the past 19 years, the organization has expanded from 15 children in one centre in 1989 to over 3,500 children across Mumbai and Pune, and has 58 centers and 6 schools in Mumbai and Pune. Shaheen is also the CEO and one of the founding board members of Teach For India, a nationwide movement with the mission to build a movement of leaders who will eliminate inequity in education. She has been working on the idea of Teach For India since 2007, and in 2008 formally established the movement after successfully adapting the widely acclaimed Teach For America model to India. The first batch of 87 Teach For India Fellows (exceptional college graduates and young professionals from across the country) began teaching in June 2009, and committed to teach full-time for two years in under-resourced schools and to become life-long leaders, across sectors, advocating for educational equity. In just a year, Mistri has grown the movement to 217 Fellows teaching in over 60 schools in Mumbai and Pune and impacting the lives of almost 7000 children. Among the numerous rewards and recognitions she has received, Shaheen is an Ashoka Fellow (2001), Recipient of the Indo-American Society’s Young Achiever Award (2001), a Global Leader for Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum (2002), an Archana Trust Woman Achiever (2003), an Asia Society 21 Leader (2006) and serves on the boards of Ummeed, The Thermax Social Initiatives Foundation and is an advisor to the Latika Roy Foundation. // Shaheen Mistri is the Founder of the Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to impact the lives of less privileged children, enabling them to maximise their potential and change their lives. Akanksha works primarily in the field of education, addressing non formal education through its Akanksha centre model and also formal education by initiating school reform. Shaheen started Akanksha at the age of 18. Over the past 19 years, the organization has expanded from 15 children in one centre in 1989 to over 3,500 children across Mumbai and Pune, and has 58 centers and 6 schools in Mumbai and Pune. Shaheen is also the CEO and one of the founding board members of Teach For India, a nationwide movement with the mission to build a movement of leaders who will eliminate inequity in education. She has been working on the idea of Teach For India since 2007, and in 2008 formally established the movement after successfully adapting the widely acclaimed Teach For America model to India. The first batch of 87 Teach For India Fellows (exceptional college graduates and young professionals from across the country) began teaching in June 2009, and committed to teach full-time for two years in under-resourced schools and to become life-long leaders, across sectors, advocating for educational equity. In just a year, Mistri has grown the movement to 217 Fellows teaching in over 60 schools in Mumbai and Pune and impacting the lives of almost 7000 children. Among the numerous rewards and recognitions she has received, Shaheen is an Ashoka Fellow (2001), Recipient of the Indo-American Society’s Young Achiever Award (2001), a Global Leader for Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum (2002), an Archana Trust Woman Achiever (2003), an Asia Society 21 Leader (2006) and serves on the boards of Ummeed, The Thermax Social Initiatives Foundation and is an advisor to the Latika Roy Foundation. // Shaheen Mistri is the Founder of the Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to impact the lives of less privileged children, enabling them to maximise their potential and change their lives. Akanksha works primarily in the field of education, addressing non formal education through its Akanksha centre model and also formal education by initiating school reform. Shaheen started Akanksha at the age of 18. Over the past 19 years, the organization has expanded from 15 children in one centre in 1989 to over 3,500 children across Mumbai and Pune, and has 58 centers and 6 schools in Mumbai and Pune. Shaheen is also the CEO and one of the founding board members of Teach For India, a nationwide movement with the mission to build a movement of leaders who will eliminate inequity in education. She has been working on the idea of Teach For India since 2007, and in 2008 formally established the movement after successfully adapting the widely acclaimed Teach For America model to India. The first batch of 87 Teach For India Fellows (exceptional college graduates and young professionals from across the country) began teaching in June 2009, and committed to teach full-time for two years in under-resourced schools and to become life-long leaders, across sectors, advocating for educational equity. In just a year, Mistri has grown the movement to 217 Fellows teaching in over 60 schools in Mumbai and Pune and impacting the lives of almost 7000 children. Among the numerous rewards and recognitions she has received, Shaheen is an Ashoka Fellow (2001), Recipient of the Indo-American Society’s Young Achiever Award (2001), a Global Leader for Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum (2002), an Archana Trust Woman Achiever (2003), an Asia Society 21 Leader (2006) and serves on the boards of Ummeed, The Thermax Social Initiatives Foundation and is an advisor to the Latika Roy Foundation. // Education entrepreneur // children, education, inequity // Maharashtra|Mumbai|India

Maharashtra|Mumbai|India

Malawi

Rural inventor // William Kamkwamba grew up on his family farm in Masitala Village, Wimbe, two-and a half hours northeast of Malawi's capital city. Due to severe famine in 2001 to 2002, his family lacked the funds to pay eighty dollars in annual school fees, and he was forced to drop out of school for five years. In 2002 he started to borrow books from a small community library. He came across an American fifth-grade textbook called Using Energy. The cover of the book showed a picture of wind turbines. He decided to build a windmill for his family to pump water and generate electricity for light. After some time, he found the materials to use and built his windmill, which generated enough power for four lights and two radios. In 2006 he attended TEDGlobal in Arusha, Tanzania, where he met people who helped him go back to school. He is currently enrolled at African Leadership Academy, the first pan-African preparatory school educating the next generation of ethical African leadership. His memoir, The Boy who Harnessed the Wind, written with Bryan Mealer, will be published September 29 by Harper-Collins et al in more than a dozen countries. // William works with Moving Windmills to mentor young problem-solvers in Malawi. William's most recent designs include electric motorcycles and maize mills all using recycled materials, appropriate technology, and human-centered design. William is currently working to bring the Moving Windmills Innovation Center to life in Kasungu, a space where young people will find the tools and mentorship to co-create simple solutions to everyday agricultural challenges. When William Kamkwamba was 14, Malawi suffered a severe famine. His family could no longer pay his school fees, and he was forced to drop out of high school. While staying home, William remained curious and inventive and worked with a local librarian to stay engaged with his studies, especially science. Working from just one photo in a U.S. junior high school textbook book called “Using Energy,” he reasoned out how to build an electricity-producing windmill from spare parts and scrap, despite having no instructions. William’s inspiring story is told in his New York Times bestselling memoir The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, co-authored with Bryan Mealer, and in the Netflix film adaptation, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, which was awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the Sundance Film festival. Since its debut, William’s book has been published in two additional editions, a young readers version, and a children’s book. The autobiography has sold more than 1 million copies and been translated in nearly twenty languages worldwide. William has been featured on The Wall Street Journal, Nyasa Times, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer. After graduating from Dartmouth College in Environmental Studies, William began work as a Global Fellow for the design firm IDEO.org. William is an entrepreneur, TED Fellow, and has worked to develop appropriate technologies curriculums focused on bridging the gap between “knowing” and “doing” for young people in Malawi and across the world. William splits his time between the U.S. and Malawi and is currently working full-time with the Moving Windmills Project to bring the Moving Windmills Innovation Center to life in Kasungu, Malawi. // At age 14, in poverty and famine, a Malawian boy built a windmill to power his family's home. Now at 22, William Kamkwamba, who speaks at TED, here, for the second time, shares in his own words the moving tale of invention that changed his life. // When he was just 14 years old, Malawian inventor William Kamkwamba built his family an electricity-generating windmill from spare parts, working from rough plans he found in a library book. // William works with Moving Windmills to mentor young problem-solvers in Malawi. William's most recent designs include electric motorcycles and maize mills all using recycled materials, appropriate technology, and human-centered design. William is currently working to bring the Moving Windmills Innovation Center to life in Kasungu, a space where young people will find the tools and mentorship to co-create simple solutions to everyday agricultural challenges. When William Kamkwamba was 14, Malawi suffered a severe famine. His family could no longer pay his school fees, and he was forced to drop out of high school. While staying home, William remained curious and inventive and worked with a local librarian to stay engaged with his studies, especially science. Working from just one photo in a U.S. junior high school textbook book called “Using Energy,” he reasoned out how to build an electricity-producing windmill from spare parts and scrap, despite having no instructions. William’s inspiring story is told in his New York Times bestselling memoir The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, co-authored with Bryan Mealer, and in the Netflix film adaptation, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, which was awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the Sundance Film festival. Since its debut, William’s book has been published in two additional editions, a young readers version, and a children’s book. The autobiography has sold more than 1 million copies and been translated in nearly twenty languages worldwide. William has been featured on The Wall Street Journal, Nyasa Times, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer. After graduating from Dartmouth College in Environmental Studies, William began work as a Global Fellow for the design firm IDEO.org. William is an entrepreneur, TED Fellow, and has worked to develop appropriate technologies curriculums focused on bridging the gap between “knowing” and “doing” for young people in Malawi and across the world. William splits his time between the U.S. and Malawi and is currently working full-time with the Moving Windmills Project to bring the Moving Windmills Innovation Center to life in Kasungu, Malawi. // Rural inventor // technology, water, maize, turbine, lighting, adaptation, e-mobility, agriculture, electric, mobility, design, farming, recycled materials, motorcycle, electric mobility, wind, wind turbine, rural economic development, electric motorcycle, power, community development, wind energy, solar, solar power, wind power, rural, economic growth, ethics, science, poverty, electricity, rural community development, energy, recycling // Central Region|Kasungu|Malawi

Central Region|Kasungu|Malawi

India

Global Shapers Community; Yachting Association of India; The University of Edinburgh; Chettinad Vidyashram; National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project; Institute of Functional Medicine; Kauvery Hospital Chennai; Villgro Innovations Foundation; UNLEASH - Innovation lab for SDGs; Chengalpet Govt Medical College; The Little Theatre Chennai

Rohini Rau is India’s top woman sailor. Her best World ISAF Ranking is 94 and 5th in Asia. She created history by winning India’s first international gold medal by a women’s youth team at the Asian Sailing Championship in 2004. She has participated in eight World Championships and numerous international events, winning six international medals and 32 National Medals, including eight Consecutive National titles in the Laser Radial. She campaigned for the 2012 Olympic Games. Rohini completed her degree (MBBS) at Chengalpet Govt. Medical College and is now working as a Doctor at Kauvery Hospital, Chennai. She is currently pursuing her MSc Internal Medicine -II year (University of Edinburgh). She works as a Mentor with Villgro (a Nonprofit organisation that focuses on spotting, mentoring and incubating innovations that have maximum potential to change lives in rural India.) Rohini is the Outgoing Curator of the Chennai Hub Global Shapers Community (an initiative of the World Economic Forum ) and a 2009 TEDIndia Fellow. She had participated in an International Design Development Summit (IDDS) in Chennai in July 2015 She serves on the international Global Shapers Alumni Advisory Council 2017 - 2018 She is Indias first doctor trained medical Clown with the ‘Medical Clowning’ programme started by The Little Theatre, Chennai. Rohini is currently working as a health researcher with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. She was in Angola for three weeks for a basic health care needs assessment. She was one of the delegates of the Australia India Youth Dialogue - Melbourne, Sydney 2017. She worked as a Facilitator for a WaSH themed Design Summit by PSI and MIT DLabs in Ethiopia - January 2018 and as a mentor/facilitator for Engineers without Borders, Australia for the Design Summit in India February 2018. She was a Global Talent at UNLEASH 2018 in Singapore. Her team received the GENDER EQUALITY award for their solution to combatting Non Communicable Diseases. // She was a global talent at UNLEASH 2018 in Singapore - June 2018 (UNLEASH is a global innovation lab that brings together people from all over the world to transform insights into ideas, and build lasting global networks around the UN Sustainable Development Goals.)Our group received the Gender Equality award for its solution to the problem of limited opportunities for physical activity for young Indian women. The ceremony was attended by the President of Singapore, Mr Forest Whittaker (UN Peace Envoy) and Sophia (AI Robot)The Winning idea - ADYA (‘power’), a social franchise run by women, for women, providing affordable, convenient fitness classes using a train-the-trainer model and leveraging unused infrastructure in Chennai. The project would improve the health of young, urban Indian women and decrease their risk of developing NCDs while simultaneously creating employment opportunities for women. // Part of the board of trustees - The Little Theatre Trust It is a non government organisation that runs theatre workshops for children and young adults. We produce theatre shows - The International Theatre festival in July and the christmas pantomime in December.We also started the first Hospital Clowning troupe in India in 2015. // Represented India as an Athlete - Sailing Optimist, Zoom8, J24, Hobie16, 420, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial, K-30 // Part of the board of trustees - The Little Theatre Trust It is a non government organisation that runs theatre workshops for children and young adults. We produce theatre shows - The International Theatre festival in July and the christmas pantomime in December.We also started the first Hospital Clowning troupe in India in 2015. // She was a global talent at UNLEASH 2018 in Singapore - June 2018 (UNLEASH is a global innovation lab that brings together people from all over the world to transform insights into ideas, and build lasting global networks around the UN Sustainable Development Goals.)Our group received the Gender Equality award for its solution to the problem of limited opportunities for physical activity for young Indian women. The ceremony was attended by the President of Singapore, Mr Forest Whittaker (UN Peace Envoy) and Sophia (AI Robot)The Winning idea - ADYA (‘power’), a social franchise run by women, for women, providing affordable, convenient fitness classes using a train-the-trainer model and leveraging unused infrastructure in Chennai. The project would improve the health of young, urban Indian women and decrease their risk of developing NCDs while simultaneously creating employment opportunities for women. // Global Shapers Community; Yachting Association of India; The University of Edinburgh; Chettinad Vidyashram; National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project; Institute of Functional Medicine; Kauvery Hospital Chennai; Villgro Innovations Foundation; UNLEASH - Innovation lab for SDGs; Chengalpet Govt Medical College; The Little Theatre Chennai // Rohini Rau is a multifaceted professional with a diverse background spanning sailing, medicine, mentorship, and global initiatives. As India's top woman sailor, she has achieved significant milestones in international competitions and holds an impressive track record of medals and national titles. Alongside her sailing accomplishments, Rohini is a dedicated doctor at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai, holding an MBBS degree and pursuing further studies in Internal Medicine. She actively engages in mentorship activities with organizations like Villgro and has served in leadership roles with the Global Shapers Community and as a TEDIndia Fellow. Additionally, Rohini's involvement in health research, innovative projects like medical clowning, and participation in global forums like UNLEASH showcase her commitment to driving positive change and addressing societal challenges. // I have now become a functional medicine doctor - so after becoming a natural birthing mother. I have started exploring the world of health through a very different lens - combining my love and knowledge of sport with nutrition and holistic health. I also have a diploma in Ayurveda. So my clients have been getting better from lifestyle illnesses by addressing the root cause. I also completed a works record in sailing in July 2023. So that drives me to prove that women can achieve anything they set their minds to. // Dr. Rohini Rau is a versatile professional excelling in sailing, medicine, mentorship, and global initiatives. She is a top female sailor in India, boasting a remarkable record of achievements in international competitions and national titles. Alongside her sailing prowess, Dr. Rau is a dedicated doctor at Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, with an MBBS degree and a focus on Internal Medicine. Engaging in mentorship through organizations like Villgro, she has also held leadership positions in the Global Shapers Community and as a TEDIndia Fellow. Dr. Rau's commitment to driving positive change is evident through her involvement in health research, innovative projects like medical clowning, and participation in global forums such as UNLEASH. Additionally, her transition to functional medicine and exploration of holistic health approaches, including Ayurveda, demonstrate her dedication to addressing lifestyle illnesses at their root cause. Her recent sailing accomplishment in setting a world record underscores her drive to inspire and empower women to reach their full potential. // Doctor + Sailor // Rohini started sailing at the age of 10 and is now campaigning towards the 2012 Olympic games. She is the national champion in the Laser Radial and 420 class. In 2004, she won India's first international gold medal in the women's category. Her current ISAF World Ranking is 97. In May 2009 she became the first Indian woman to win a medal at a Grade 3 event in an Olympic class. She is currently doing her third year MBBS at the Government Medical College, Chennai, India. She studied bharatnatyam dancing and the piano for 10 years. She also did tap dancing, jazz ballet and violin for three years. She has taken part in numerous theatre shows and choreographed the dances for a few as well. She sang playback for a Tamil film titled "3 Roses." She aims to be the first woman sailor to take part in the Olympics while pursuing a career in medicine." She is now Vice Curator of The Chennai Hub of the Global Shapers Community (an initiative of The World Economic Forum). She is a Trustee of The Little Theatre - a children's theatre organization that conducts workshops and shows for children. It also funds a scholarship for underprivileged children to study at English medium schools and universites for a period of 7 years. Currently 81 children are on the scholarship. // Internal Medicine / Functional Medicine Doctor Asian Sailing Gold Medallist TED Fellow Dr Rohini Rau is India’s former top woman sailor. Her best World ISAF Ranking was 94 and 5th in Asia. She created history by winning India's first international gold medal by a women's youth team at the Asian Sailing Championship in 2004. She has participated in 9 World Championships, winning 6 international medals and 32 National Medals including 8 Consecutive National titles in the Laser Radial. She campaigned for the 2012 Olympic Games. She completed her medical degree (MBBS) at Chengalpet Govt Medical College and her MSc Internal Medicine (University of Edinburgh). She worked as a Senior Resident Doctor at Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, India since 2015-2020. She is now a certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (AFMCP) by Institute of Functional Medicine, USA 2021 and also pursuing a diploma in Ayurveda. She is the Outgoing Curator of the Chennai Hub Global Shapers Community ( an initiative of the World Economic Forum ) and a 2009 TED Fellow. She has worked as a health researcher with the National Geographic Okavango Wilder- ness Project 2016. She was in Angola for 3 weeks for a Health survey assessment. She serves as part of the Global Shapers Alumni Advisory Council since 2018. Rohini is India’s first Medical Clown and trainer. She has worked with The Little Theatre’s Hospital Clowns Troupe since 2015. In 2018 she was a Facilitator for 4 International Design Thinking projects in Ethiopia, Nepal, Singapore and Kenya. She is an International motivational speaker (TED, TEDx, WEF, TiECON, Yi conferences). She has acted on stage since the age of 5 and been part of numerous musical theatre productions since then. She is a trustee of The Little Theatre - a 28 year old not-for-profit Children’s theatre organisation and has been involved in most of their productions. She is a lyricist and has been part of International productions operating the light and sound. She has learnt Bharatnatyam, Jazz Ballet, Tap and Salsa dancing. She plays the piano and the violin. Has acted in numerous stage shows and an Italian feature film ‘Gills’ age 12. She has sung playback for a Tamil film ‘Three Roses’. After 7 years, Rohini made a comeback into competitive sailing - forming an All Women’s sailing team to represent India at the J/80 World Championship in Bilbao, Spain 12 - 20 July 2019. Team YATRA placed 4th in the Women’s Category. In March 2020 she was selected as one of the international delegates at the Global Victoria Business Summit 2020 and as an AIYD 2022 Emerging Leader in Melbourne, Australia. She is the COO of a fitness start up MONDAY MONK. That brings holistic fitness to the common man by focussing on Functional Medicine, mental health along with spiritual health, emotional, physical health and well-being // Dr. Rohini Rau is a versatile professional excelling in sailing, medicine, mentorship, and global initiatives. She is a top female sailor in India, boasting a remarkable record of achievements in international competitions and national titles. Alongside her sailing prowess, Dr. Rau is a dedicated doctor at Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, with an MBBS degree and a focus on Internal Medicine. Engaging in mentorship through organizations like Villgro, she has also held leadership positions in the Global Shapers Community and as a TEDIndia Fellow. Dr. Rau's commitment to driving positive change is evident through her involvement in health research, innovative projects like medical clowning, and participation in global forums such as UNLEASH. Additionally, her transition to functional medicine and exploration of holistic health approaches, including Ayurveda, demonstrate her dedication to addressing lifestyle illnesses at their root cause. Her recent sailing accomplishment in setting a world record underscores her drive to inspire and empower women to reach their full potential. // Doctor + Sailor // infrastructure, forest, nutrition, holistic health, jobs, equity, wilderness, gender equity, urban, health, medicine, theatre - acting, sustainable development goals, sailing, design, athlete, medical clowning, sustainable development , natural birth, women, dance, medicine and surgery, doctor, robotics, gender, youth, affordable, children, rural, functional medicine, equality, natural birth , sport, government, artificial intelligence, disease // Chennai|India|Tamil Nadu

Chennai|India|Tamil Nadu

United States

GENOME SCIENTIST + INDIGENOUS FUTURIST // Keolu Fox is the first Native Hawaiian to receive a doctorate in genome sciences, and he is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where is a co-founder and co-director of the world's first Indigenous Futures Institute. Keolu is also affiliated with the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, the Department of Anthropology, the Global Health Program, the Climate Action Lab, and the Design Lab. Keolu's work focuses on the connection between raw data as a resource and the emerging value of genomic health data from Indigenous communities. He has experience designing and engineering genome sequencing and editing technologies, and a decade of grassroots experience working with Indigenous partners to advance precision medicine. // Ninety-six percent of genome studies are based on people of European descent. The rest of the world is virtually unrepresented -- and this is dangerous, says geneticist and TED Fellow Keolu Fox, because we react to drugs differently based on our genetic makeup. Fox is working to democratize genome sequencing, specifically by advocating for indigenous populations to get involved in research, with the goal of eliminating health disparities. "The research community needs to immerse itself in indigenous culture," he says, "or die trying." // Keolu Fox is the first Native Hawaiian to receive a doctorate in genome sciences, and he is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where is a co-founder and co-director of the world's first Indigenous Futures Institute. Keolu is also affiliated with the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, the Department of Anthropology, the Global Health Program, the Climate Action Lab, and the Design Lab. Keolu's work focuses on the connection between raw data as a resource and the emerging value of genomic health data from Indigenous communities. He has experience designing and engineering genome sequencing and editing technologies, and a decade of grassroots experience working with Indigenous partners to advance precision medicine. // GENOME SCIENTIST + INDIGENOUS FUTURIST // technology, research, climate, design, grassroots, science, data science, indigenous, climate action, data // United States

United States

United States

University of Delaware; University of Michigan; Georgia Institute of Technology; Yale University

The PRIME Lab at the University of Michigan, led by Dr. Aaron Morris, focuses on the intersection of biomaterials engineering, immunology, and drug delivery. Their work includes studying immunological niches, diagnosing diseases, and developing therapeutics using engineered materials. The lab has received grants and awards for their research and collaborates with other groups. They have a diverse team of researchers working on projects related to autoimmunity and tissue immunology. The lab values inclusivity and aims to create a supportive environment for growth and contribution to the knowledge enterprise. Their research projects involve developing material platforms for monitoring the innate and adaptive immune systems. The lab welcomes collaborations and visitors interested in their work. // My thesis work centers around development of new biomaterials specifically for applications in regenerative medicine and drug delivery. Recent Publications: Morris AH, Mahal R, Udell J, Wu M, Kyriakides TR. Multi-compartment Drug Release System for Dynamic Modulation of Tissue Responses. Advanced Healthcare Materials 2017.Morris AH, Stamer DK, Kyriakides TR. The Host Response to Naturally-Derived Extracellular Matrix Biomaterials. Seminars in Immunology 2017. Morris AH, Chang J, Kyriakides TR. Inadequate Processing of Decellularized Dermal MatrixReduces Cell Viability In Vitro and Increases Apoptosis and Acute Inflammation In Vivo. BioResearch Open Access 2016.Morris AH, Kyriakides TR. Matricellular proteins and biomaterials. Matrix Biol 2014.Schwan J, Kwaczala AT, Ryan TJ, Bartulos O, Ren Y, Sewanan LR, Morris AH, et al. Scientific Reports 2016.Jha R, Wile B, Wu Q, Morris AH, Maher KO, Wagner MB, et al. Molecular beacon-based detection and isolation of working-type cardiomyocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Biomaterials 2015;50:176–85.Johnson, CG, Sharma, KV, Levy, EB, Woods, DL, Morris, AH, et al. Microvascular Perfusion Changes following Transarterial Hepatic Tumor Embolization. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology 2015; 1–12. // Advisor: Dr. Lonnie Shea // Advisor: Dr. Lonnie Shea // University of Delaware; University of Michigan; Georgia Institute of Technology; Yale University // Aaron Morris is a skilled researcher specializing in the development of biomaterials for regenerative medicine and drug delivery applications. His expertise lies in designing multi-compartment drug release systems and studying the host response to extracellular matrix biomaterials. With a focus on matricellular proteins and biomaterial interactions, Aaron has contributed to various publications in reputable journals. Under the guidance of Dr. Lonnie Shea, he has explored innovative approaches in tissue engineering and cell therapy. Aaron's work showcases a deep understanding of biomaterial science and its implications for advancing medical treatments. // My work focuses on using engineered materials and synthetic biology as platforms to: study immunology, diagnose disease, and develop therapeutics. My long-term vision is to develop non-invasive systems for monitoring immunity within tissues with a particular focus on autoimmune disease. As an academic scientist, I strive to contribute new knowledge and technologies, but also maintain a strong focus on education and mentoring of the next generation of scientist and engineers. // Dr. Aaron Morris is a dedicated researcher at the University of Michigan, leading the PRIME Lab in pioneering work at the intersection of biomaterials engineering, immunology, and drug delivery. His expertise lies in developing innovative material platforms for monitoring immune responses within tissues, with a specific focus on autoimmune diseases. Dr. Morris and his diverse team of researchers collaborate on projects related to autoimmunity, tissue immunology, and multi-compartment drug release systems. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity and mentorship, Dr. Morris is committed to advancing medical treatments through his deep understanding of biomaterial science and matricellular proteins. // Immunoengineer // We need an inside-out approach to how we diagnose disease, says immuno-engineer and TED Fellow Aaron Morris. Introducing cutting-edge medical research, he unveils implantable technology that gives real-time, continuous analysis of a patient's health at the molecular level. "We're creating a diagnostic lab inside your body," Morris says -- and it may pave the way to diagnosing and treating disease better and faster than ever before. // Dr. Aaron Morris is a dedicated researcher at the University of Michigan, leading the PRIME Lab in pioneering work at the intersection of biomaterials engineering, immunology, and drug delivery. His expertise lies in developing innovative material platforms for monitoring immune responses within tissues, with a specific focus on autoimmune diseases. Dr. Morris and his diverse team of researchers collaborate on projects related to autoimmunity, tissue immunology, and multi-compartment drug release systems. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity and mentorship, Dr. Morris is committed to advancing medical treatments through his deep understanding of biomaterial science and matricellular proteins. // Immunoengineer // research, regenerative, technology, synthetic biology, data analysis, immunoengineering, education, open access, led, biomaterials, monitoring, data, bioengineering, autoimmunity, disease, stem, regenerative medicine // Michigan|Ann Arbor|United States|USA

Michigan|Ann Arbor|United States|USA

Canada

United States

Ashworth College; Nova Southeastern University; Excelsior College; Community College of the Air Force; Penn Foster; Bowie State University; City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College

David T. Lang is an entrepreneur and writer who focuses on funding scientists and exploring amateur technology scenes. He founded the Experiment Foundation to provide new ways for foundations and organizations to support scientists. Lang has been involved in various initiatives such as Science Better, a podcast interviewing scientists, and projects like Sofar Ocean Technologies, OpenROV, and Open Explorer (now Field Notes), which involve building ocean drones, underwater drones, and a community of explorers. Additionally, Lang has authored a book titled "Zero to Maker" and has a background in managing a sailing school. // OpenROV is a DIY community centered around underwater robots for exploration & adventure. The OpenROV Cockpit is the software for controlling the lost cost ROV kits that OpenROV produces for a community in over 50 countries. A blend of Javascript, HTML5, Socket.IO, Node.js, Ubuntu, and Arduino programming, the Cockpit software is the brains and interface to the ROV as it travels a 100 meters under the surface. // OpenROV is a DIY community centered around underwater robots for exploration & adventure. We're a group of amateur and professional ROV builders and operators from over 50 countries who have a passion for exploring the deep. // Ashworth College; Nova Southeastern University; Excelsior College; Community College of the Air Force; Penn Foster; Bowie State University; City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College // David Lang is a skilled professional with a strong background in developing software for underwater robotics. He has extensive experience working with technologies such as Javascript, HTML5, Socket.IO, Node.js, Ubuntu, and Arduino programming. David has been actively involved in the OpenROV community, contributing to the development of the OpenROV Cockpit software used to control ROV kits for underwater exploration and adventure. His expertise lies in creating innovative solutions for underwater robotics projects and collaborating with a diverse group of ROV builders and operators from around the world. // Embolden scientific curiosity. // David T. Lang is an entrepreneur, writer, and technology enthusiast known for his work in funding scientists and exploring amateur technology scenes. He is the founder of the Experiment Foundation, which offers innovative ways for foundations and organizations to support scientists. Lang has been actively involved in various projects such as Sofar Ocean Technologies, OpenROV, and Open Explorer (now Field Notes), focusing on building ocean drones, underwater drones, and fostering a community of explorers. With a background in managing a sailing school, Lang has authored the book "Zero to Maker" and is recognized for his expertise in developing software for underwater robotics, utilizing technologies like Javascript, HTML5, Node.js, and Arduino programming. His contributions to the OpenROV community and the development of the OpenROV Cockpit software highlight his commitment to creating innovative solutions for underwater exploration projects. // Maker // David Lang is a co-founder of OpenROV, a community of citizen ocean explorers and creators of low-cost underwater robots. He is the author of Zero to Maker and a contributing editor to MAKE: Magazine where he chronicled his journey from under-skilled beginner to manufacturing entrepreneur and ocean explorer. The book is a guide for anyone-- regardless of experience level-- to get involved with the maker movement and digital fabrication tools, like 3D printing. He lives on a sailboat in the San Francisco Bay. // I run the Experiment Foundation. We fund science and technology at the earliest stages — mostly from early-career folks — when the projects and ideas are nascent. Prior to that, I co-founded Sofar (an ocean technology company) and OpenROV (an underwater drone company). // You don't have to be a scientist to help protect the world's oceans, says underwater drone expert and TED Fellow David Lang -- in fact, ordinary citizens have pulled together to save the planet's natural treasures many times in history. Lang asks us to take a lesson from the story of the US National Parks Service, offering a three-point plan for conserving underwater wonders. // David Lang is a maker who taught himself to become an amateur oceanographer -- or, he taught a robot to be one for him. In a charming talk Lang, a TED Fellow, shows how he and a network of ocean lovers teamed up to build open-sourced, low-cost underwater explorers. // David T. Lang is an entrepreneur, writer, and technology enthusiast known for his work in funding scientists and exploring amateur technology scenes. He is the founder of the Experiment Foundation, which offers innovative ways for foundations and organizations to support scientists. Lang has been actively involved in various projects such as Sofar Ocean Technologies, OpenROV, and Open Explorer (now Field Notes), focusing on building ocean drones, underwater drones, and fostering a community of explorers. With a background in managing a sailing school, Lang has authored the book "Zero to Maker" and is recognized for his expertise in developing software for underwater robotics, utilizing technologies like Javascript, HTML5, Node.js, and Arduino programming. His contributions to the OpenROV community and the development of the OpenROV Cockpit software highlight his commitment to creating innovative solutions for underwater exploration projects. // Maker // technology, technical standards, building management, entrepreneurship, buildings, drone, ocean technology, job skills training, citizen scientist, open hardware, 3d printing, parks, oceans, emergency management, robotics, hardware, standards, science, citizen science, accounting standards, amateur invention, software, government, low-cost, manufacturing // San Francisco|USA|California|Berkeley|United States

San Francisco|USA|California|Berkeley|United States

United States

United States

University of California San Diego; University of California, Berkeley and University of California, San Diego; Rakuten Intelligence; Brown University; Pacific Ecoinformatics and Computational Ecology Lab; Vibrant Data Inc.; Sierra Nevada Research Institute, Yosemite Field Station; Oregon State University; University of California, Berkeley; U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS); TED Conferences; Vibrant Data Labs

Dr. Eric L. Berlow is the CEO of Vibrant Data Labs, a social impact data science company focused on building open-source tools for tracking funding flows to climate mitigation and resilience efforts. With a background in ecology and complexity science, he collaborates with various partners and collaborators to address complex problems like climate change. Dr. Berlow's work involves leveraging data and computation for evidence-based stewardship of nature, with a focus on finding simplicity within complexity. Additionally, he hosts creative work gatherings at Swall Institute, where he has facilitated collaborations with artists, scientists, and activists. // Vibrant Data Labs utilizes machine learning, natural language processing, and computational statistics to enhance the impact of climate funders. Their tools convert complex data into accessible formats, highlighting funding gaps in various capital types. They offer free public tools to map climate investments, custom insights for climate finance leaders, and collaborate with fund managers to develop impactful investment strategies. The organization aims to amplify the collective impact of climate funding through data tools and insights. // Vibrant Data Labs is a social impact data science group that applies creative data synthesis, computational statistics, machine learning, network theory, and data visualization to (hopefully) empower evidence-based decisions that benefit humanity (and other species too).We focus on using Data Science to:• see the big picture and provide context• prioritize resources to maximize impact• test assumptions and ask the right questions• augment human intelligence and increase human agencyWe explicitly avoid using Data Science to:• identify and exploit human vulnerabilities• secretly persuade opinions• automate solutions to the wrong problem // Collaborating with Rich Williams to develop tools for synthesizing and visualizing themes in the scientific literature. These tool are based on open-source projects (openmappr.org and tag2network) that enable the creation and interactive exploration of document networks. See the linked publication for an example of that work. // Acquired by Rakuten Inc. (June 2016). Vibrant Data's data discovery platform leverages machine learning to see and understand, not just predict, patterns in complex networks and high dimensional data. A version of that tool (openmappr) and the basic algorithms (tag2network) have since open-sourced - see https://openmappr.org // I've had the wonderful privilege of being part of the TED Fellows community since 2010. To learn more about the program or apply, see the link below. // This collaborative research focused on leveraging data and computation (including machine learning) to support evidence-based conservation policy in Yosemite National Park. Focal areas included: Alpine meadow ecology, conservation ecology, threatened species, and climate change. // I helped found and directed this University of California environmental science center inside Yosemite National Park - the first of it's kind in the history of Yosemite. I helped develop and implement the vision of this center to facilitate synergistic links between science and education to help inform data-driven management of natural ecosystems. // Collaborative research on food webs and complex ecological networks. // Research on ecology, conservation, and evidence-based management of alpine meadow ecosystems of Sierra Nevada Wilderness Areas. // The nature of collaboration is interdisciplinary and exponential. Ecological networks scientist Eric Berlow works with other TED Fellows to map out the collaborations that occur in their network. Through this, a diversity of ideas from different disciplines, places, races and ethnicities is cultivated and displayed. TEDArchive presents previously unpublished talks from TED conferences. Filmed at TED2014 - // This was a collaborative project with the wonderful team at Quid. From TED.com: "What do 24,000 ideas look like? Ecologist Eric Berlow and physicist Sean Gourley apply algorithms to the entire archive of TEDx Talks, taking us on a stimulating visual tour to show how ideas connect globally." // #WETHEDATA is a collaborative effort to help spark a new Personal Data Economy that works for everyday people by focusing innovation on core challenges at the root of this complex problem. Vibrant Data Labs' primary contribution to this project was the network analysis of collective expert input to identify 4 'grand challenge' areas that, if solved together, could have the most far-reaching positive impact. // From TED.com: Ecologist Eric Berlow doesn't feel overwhelmed when faced with complex systems. He knows that more information can lead to a better, simpler solution. Illustrating the tips and tricks for breaking down big issues, he distills an overwhelming infographic on U.S. strategy in Afghanistan to a few elementary points. // This was a collaborative project to with Bethanie Maples and Srini Kadamati to explore the thematic landscape of all SciFi books published in the past century. The interactive visualization mentioned in this Wired story is here: http://app.openmappr.org/play/100YrsOfSciFi More details:All Sci Fi novels published since 1900 were scraped from Good Reads, and for each novel, all reader comments, plot descriptions, and user-generated tags were compiled. Keywords and concepts were added to each novel by parsing the text described above and mapping them to a curated dictionary of SciFi keywords and concepts. 2,633 novels published since 1990 had at least 50 reviews and contained at least one keyword from the keyword corpus.After keyword enhancement, a book network was created by linking novels if they shared similar keyword signatures. Network clusters identify Keyword Themes - or groups of similar books that are labeled by the top 5 most commonly shared keywords in the group. The network was generated using the open source python 'tag2network' package, and visualized here using 'openmappr''. The scripts for analyzing this dataset are available at https://github.com/ericberlow/SciFiNOTE - This visualization performs best in Chrome and Safari browsers full screen - and is not optimized for the small screens of mobile devices. // Collaboration with 100Kin10.org and Kumu.io to map the complex relationships between root problems for shortages in PK-12 STEM teachers. 104 root causes were identified by thousands of stakeholders. We then surveyed 100's of experts to compile over 35,000 votes on what root causes, if solved, influence which other root causes. Network analysis was used to identify potential structural 'keystone' problems with high leverage. Re-sampling was used to evaluate consequences of errors in the voting data. // HackingCreativity, a collaboration with Red Bull High Performance, is the largest study of Creative Styles in history. Ongoing... // Einstein once said, "If I had an hour to save the world, I'd spend 55 minutes defining the problem, and 5 minutes on the solution." Most big problems are made of many smaller problems that all influence one another - solving one may solve (or cause) others. How do we define the winning problems to solve? This video describes an ecological network approach developed by Vibrant Data Labs in collaboration with Intel Labs and Brainvise for #WETHEDATA (wethedata.org) to gather collective expert input about the network structure of a problem, and boil it down to a few core principles for catalyzing change. The example focuses on the complex problem of sparking a new Personal Data Economy that actually works for people and not against them. This work was presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos 2013 to help set the agenda on personal data. // Over 35 peer-reviewed research publications in ecology, ecological networks, and conservation science - including papers in Nature, Science, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. One paper was awarded ISI's "Top 20 most cited ecology/evolution paper of the decade" (1998-2008). Another was awarded ISI's "Fast moving fronts". Numerous others are on ISI's "Highly Cited" lists. Total Citations >10,000, H-Index = 23, i10-index = 28. // University of California San Diego; University of California, Berkeley and University of California, San Diego; Rakuten Intelligence; Brown University; Pacific Ecoinformatics and Computational Ecology Lab; Vibrant Data Inc.; Sierra Nevada Research Institute, Yosemite Field Station; Oregon State University; University of California, Berkeley; U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS); TED Conferences; Vibrant Data Labs // Eric Berlow is an ecological networks scientist with a strong background in ecology, conservation, and evidence-based management. He is the co-founder of Vibrant Data Labs, a social impact data science group that leverages creative data synthesis, computational statistics, machine learning, network theory, and data visualization to empower evidence-based decisions for the betterment of humanity and the environment. Eric's work focuses on using data science to provide context, maximize impact, ask the right questions, and augment human intelligence. He has collaborated on various projects, including developing tools for synthesizing and visualizing themes in scientific literature, contributing to the Personal Data Economy initiative, and mapping complex relationships in STEM education. With over 35 peer-reviewed research publications in prestigious journals, Eric's expertise is widely recognized in the field of ecology and conservation science. // My grand hope is to help *overcome myopia* and encourage people to embrace the Big Picture View in order to successfully and tackle complex problems facing humanity. My current focus is on climate change - and the question that drives me is: "How can we solve the climate crisis - on the first try?" My goal is to help maximize the collective impact of many independent funders working to address this complex existential threat to human civilization - a problem that we only have one chance to solve before it's too late. // Dr. Eric Berlow is a data scientist and ecological networks expert known for his work in leveraging data and computation to address complex environmental challenges, particularly in the realm of climate change. As the CEO of Vibrant Data Labs, he leads a team that develops open-source tools using machine learning, computational statistics, and data visualization to track funding flows for climate mitigation and resilience efforts. Dr. Berlow's expertise lies in simplifying complex data to provide actionable insights for evidence-based stewardship of nature. Through collaborations with various partners, he aims to amplify the collective impact of climate funding by identifying funding gaps and developing impactful investment strategies. With a background in ecology and conservation, Dr. Berlow's work is underpinned by a commitment to maximizing the impact of data-driven decision-making for the betterment of humanity and the environment. // Ecologist, Data scientist // Eric Berlow, PhD, is an ecologist and network scientist who specializes in not specializing. A TED Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor at UC Berkeley, Eric is internationally recognized for his research on ecological complexity and for creative approaches to simplifying complex problems. His publications in Science, Nature, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science and elsewhere have been recognized among the Top 1% Most Highly Cited Papers in the field. His two TED talks on TED.com have together received over 1.1 million views. Eric was the founding director of the University of California's first environmental science center inside Yosemite National Park, where he continues to develop data-driven approaches to managing natural ecosystems. Eric co-founded Vibrant Data with two other TED Fellows to empower collaborative exploration of complex networks. Their current projects include mapping the network structure of the Syrian conflict and the ecology of human creativity // Dr. Eric L. Berlow is a community ecologist and network scientist and CEO of Vibrant Data Labs - a social impact data science company developing an open-source framework for tracking the ecosystem of money flowing to climate solutions. Eric previously co-founded a visual data interface company which was acquired by Rakuten in 2016 - where he then led data product innovation. Berlow was the founding director of the University of California’s first science institute in Yosemite National Park, where he co-led efforts to leverage data and machine learning for species conservation policy. Berlow is internationally recognized for his research on ecological complexity – with articles in Nature, Science, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. His two talks on TED.com focus on simplifying complexity and finding hidden patterns in complex data. Berlow is currently an Emerson Collective Climate Fellow - and previously was awarded a TED Fellowship, a TED Senior Fellowship, an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, and a National Science Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship. He was named one of the Top 100 Creatives by Origin Magazine and named one of ImpactAlpa’s “Agents of Impact”. Berlow holds a B.A. from Brown University and a PhD in Ecology from Oregon State University. // What do 24,000 ideas look like? Ecologist Eric Berlow and physicist Sean Gourley apply algorithms to the entire archive of TEDx Talks, taking us on a stimulating visual tour to show how ideas connect globally. // Ecologist Eric Berlow doesn't feel overwhelmed when faced with complex systems. He knows that more information can lead to a better, simpler solution. Illustrating the tips and tricks for breaking down big issues, he distills an overwhelming infographic on U.S. strategy in Afghanistan to a few elementary points. // Dr. Eric Berlow is a data scientist and ecological networks expert known for his work in leveraging data and computation to address complex environmental challenges, particularly in the realm of climate change. As the CEO of Vibrant Data Labs, he leads a team that develops open-source tools using machine learning, computational statistics, and data visualization to track funding flows for climate mitigation and resilience efforts. Dr. Berlow's expertise lies in simplifying complex data to provide actionable insights for evidence-based stewardship of nature. Through collaborations with various partners, he aims to amplify the collective impact of climate funding by identifying funding gaps and developing impactful investment strategies. With a background in ecology and conservation, Dr. Berlow's work is underpinned by a commitment to maximizing the impact of data-driven decision-making for the betterment of humanity and the environment. // Ecologist, Data scientist // interdisciplinary collaboration, sustainability, education, biodiversity, paper, led, data, tourism, machine learning, wilderness, finance, geospatial analysis, research, food webs, resilience, activism, ecosystem, climate, data and analytics, environmental education, sustainable development , resource conservation, natural resources, policy, species, stewardship and restoration, mitigation, stem, oceans, open source, data visualization, mobile phones, data analysis, climate change, data-driven, data science, eco tourism, environment, voting, network theory, philanthropy, climate mitigation, teachers, conservation, social impact, climate finance, big data, nature, science, food, environmental conservation, complex networks, biological conservation, restoration, artificial intelligence, ecology, complexity, ecosystems, marine ecology, endangered species // Bishop|USA|France|Paris|California|Berkeley|United States

Bishop|USA|France|Paris|California|Berkeley|United States

Data researcher // I'm a French and Mauritian scientist, living in New York with my Bulgarian wife who is also British. I hold joint academic appointments at Harvard, where I am FQEB Fellow, and at Google, where I am Visiting Faculty. My current focus is on using technological breakthroughs to obtain very high resolution measurements about things we didn't see before. For instance, Erez Aiden and I recently used millions of digitized books to build a sort of telescope for human culture. I argue that this makes it possible to use mathematical and computational means to discover new things about human history, society and culture. Or, Tami Lieberman and I used high-throughput genome sequencing to track the way bacteria evolve within the human body during infections. This highlights bacterial genes that we didn't know played a role in disease, and that might later become drug targets. In general, my interests are much wider than my competences, but I'm always trying to expand the latter to match the former. In research, I use quantitative methods to ask questions about things that evolve, ranging from bacteria to human society. This can involve benchwork and lots of reagents, computers and terabytes of data, or simply a pen and paper. // What can mathematics say about history? According to TED Fellow Jean-Baptiste Michel, quite a lot. From changes to language to the deadliness of wars, he shows how digitized history is just starting to reveal deep underlying patterns. // Have you played with Google Labs' Ngram Viewer? It's an addicting tool that lets you search for words and ideas in a database of 5 million books from across centuries. Erez Lieberman Aiden and Jean-Baptiste Michel show us how it works, and a few of the surprising things we can learn from 500 billion words. // I'm a French and Mauritian scientist, living in New York with my Bulgarian wife who is also British. I hold joint academic appointments at Harvard, where I am FQEB Fellow, and at Google, where I am Visiting Faculty. My current focus is on using technological breakthroughs to obtain very high resolution measurements about things we didn't see before. For instance, Erez Aiden and I recently used millions of digitized books to build a sort of telescope for human culture. I argue that this makes it possible to use mathematical and computational means to discover new things about human history, society and culture. Or, Tami Lieberman and I used high-throughput genome sequencing to track the way bacteria evolve within the human body during infections. This highlights bacterial genes that we didn't know played a role in disease, and that might later become drug targets. In general, my interests are much wider than my competences, but I'm always trying to expand the latter to match the former. In research, I use quantitative methods to ask questions about things that evolve, ranging from bacteria to human society. This can involve benchwork and lots of reagents, computers and terabytes of data, or simply a pen and paper. // Data researcher // technology, research, science, biology, paper, mathematics, data, disease

United States

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

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

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

United States

Singer + songwriter // Meklit Hadero’s music is imbued with poetry and multiplicity, from hybridized sounds of Tizita (haunting and nostalgic music) drawing from her Ethiopian heritage, to the annals of jazz, folk songs, hip-hop and art rock. She aptly describes her music as emanating from “in-between-spaces.” Listening to Meklit Hadero transports us to the post-national space of Africa and America, inspiring us to bridge the frontiers between language, tribes and disciplines. Her songs celebrate the newness of life and the hyphens that bring us together. Meklit has released four studio albums and is currently signed to Six Degrees Records. She is the initiator of Home [Away From] Home along with Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, a large scale installation bringing together Ethiopian and Eritrean Artists in the Bay Area. Meklit is a TED Senior Fellow, and has served as an artist-in-residence at NYU, curated a performance series at the Lincoln Center Atrium, co-designed and implemented an artist fellowship program for the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and completed musical commissions for the San Francisco Arts Commission, the Fund for Artists, the Brava Theater, and the De Young Museum. In 2011, Meklit co-founded the Nile Project with Egyptian Ethnomusicologist Mina Girgis. She is the founder of the Arba Minch Collective, former Co-Director of the Red Poppy Art House, and has received performance grants from the Zellerbach Family Foundation and the Belle Foundation for Cultural Development.   Meklit has been featured at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Stern Grove Festival, Women of the World Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Bumbershoot Music Festival, and SxSW (Austin). She has performed at venues such as the Independent (SF), Le Poisson Rouge (NYC), Mayne Stage (Chicago), the Triple Door (Seattle), the Kennedy Center (DC), the Mint (LA), Cabaret Du Mile End (Montreal), and the Southbank Centre (London). She has toured extensively in the US, UK, Ethiopia and Kenya. “Meklit is an artistic giant in the early stages. She sings of fragility, hope and self-empowerment, and exudes all three. What’s irresistible, above all, is her cradling, sensuous, gentle sound. She is stunning.” - San Francisco Chronicle   “Meklit Hadero is one of those rare artists with the power to bridge genres, geography and generations.” -Google Music “You may not have heard Meklit Hadero’s music before, but once you do, it’ll be tough to forget. Hadero’s sound is a unique blend of jazz, Ethiopia, the San Francisco art scene and visceral poetry; it paints pictures in your head as you listen.” - NPR // Meklit is an Ethio-American vocalist, singer-songwriter and composer, making music that sways between cultures and continents. Known for her electric stage presence, innovative take on Ethio-Jazz, and her femotive live shows, Meklit has rocked stages from Addis Ababa (where she is a household name) to San Francisco (her beloved home-base), to New York, London, DC, Montreal, Nairobi, Chicago, LA, Arusha, Rome, Zurich, Rio Di Janeiro, Seattle, Cairo, and more. Meklit is a TED Senior Fellow and her TED Talk, The Unexpected Beauty of Everyday Sounds, has been watched by more than 1.2 million people. She is a National Geographic Explorer and has been an Artist-in-Residence at Harvard, NYU, Purdue and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Meklit has received musical commissions from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the MAP Fund and has toured extensively across the US, UK, and East Africa. She has collaborated with Kronos Quartet, NASA Kepler Co-Investigator Dr. Jon Jenkins (and his star sounds), musical legend Pee Wee Ellis and members of the BBC Philharmonic. She is a Co-Founder of the Nile Project, served as musical director for the beloved Bay Area powerhouse UnderCover Presents, and sang alongside Angelique Kidjo and Anoushka Shankar as a featured singer in the UN Women Theme Song. Her fame in Ethiopia skyrocketed in 2015 when her TED talk went viral in the country and her music videos began playing daily on multiple Ethiopian television stations. She goes back to Addis Ababa regularly to perform. Meklit's album - When the People Move, the Music Moves Too - was released June 23rd on Six Degrees Records, receiving rave reviews and quickly reaching #4 on the iTunes World Music Charts, #1 on the NACC World Charts and #12 on the World Charts in Europe. It was also named one of the 100 Best Albums of 2017 by the Sunday Times UK, one of the Best Soul Albums of 2017 by Bandcamp and amongst the 10 Best Bay Area albums of 2017 by KQED. These 11 songs were deeply inspired by Mulatu Astatke (the Godfather of Ethio-Jazz). Back in 2011, he told Meklit, "find your contribution to Ethio-Jazz and keep on innovating!" Produced by multi-GRAMMY winning artist/songwriter Dan Wilson (Adele, John Legend, Dixie Chicks), the album also features world renowned musicians Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the violinist/whistler Andrew Bird. Meklit has been featured in NPR, Vibe Magazine, CNN International, USA Today, Wall St. Journal, New York Magazine, MTV Iggy, Gizmodo, PBS, PRI’s The World, BBC Africa, BBC World Service, BBC Women’s Hour, BBC Front Row, BBC Loose Ends, The New Yorker, Brain Pickings, Wired UK, OkayAfrica, AfroPop, Google Music, Relix Magazine, Pidgeons + Planes, KEXP, WBEZ, WNYC, KQED, KBLX, Live Wire Radio, CBS Bay Area, CBS San Diego, Chicago Sun Times, Seattle Times, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, La Presse (Montreal), The Village Voice, Dig Boston, Seattle Weekly, San Francisco Magazine, SF Bay Guardian and many more. She has played at festivals and venues in the US, the UK and East Africa, including: Monterey Jazz Festival, SFJAZZ Center, Bumbershoot, SXSW, Southbank Centre, Hollywood Bowl, TED Conferences (Rio Di Janeiro, Edinburgh, Oxford, Long Beach, Arusha), Lincoln Center, Grand Performances, The Schomburg, the Apollo, YBCA, Davies Symphony Hall, Skirball Center (NYC + LA), Winter Jazz Fest, Smithsonian Folklife Fest, Kennedy Center, Stern Grove, World Cafe Live, Nuits D’Afrique (Montreal), Moods (Zurich), The Monk (Rome), Chicago World Music Festival, Gondar Castles (World Heritage Site - Ethiopia), Mulatu Astatke's Africa Jazz Village (Addis Ababa), Aswan Cultural Palace (Egypt), Blankets +Wine (Nairobi), National Theater (Uganda). Meklit’s work has been supported by grants from National Geographic, California Humanities, the MAP Fund, the Center for Cultural Innovation, Panta Rhea Foundation, The Christensen Fund, San Francisco Arts Commission, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Intersection for the Arts, Grants for the Arts, the San Francisco Foundation, Oakland Cultural Funding Project, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, The Belle Foundation for Cultural Development and more. Meklit holds a BA from Yale University. // Using examples from birdsong, the natural lilt of emphatic language and even a cooking pan lid, singer-songwriter and TED Fellow Meklit Hadero shows how the everyday soundscape, even silence, makes music. "The world is alive with musical expression," she says. "We are already immersed." // Meklit is an Ethio-American vocalist, singer-songwriter and composer, making music that sways between cultures and continents. Known for her electric stage presence, innovative take on Ethio-Jazz, and her femotive live shows, Meklit has rocked stages from Addis Ababa (where she is a household name) to San Francisco (her beloved home-base), to New York, London, DC, Montreal, Nairobi, Chicago, LA, Arusha, Rome, Zurich, Rio Di Janeiro, Seattle, Cairo, and more. Meklit is a TED Senior Fellow and her TED Talk, The Unexpected Beauty of Everyday Sounds, has been watched by more than 1.2 million people. She is a National Geographic Explorer and has been an Artist-in-Residence at Harvard, NYU, Purdue and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Meklit has received musical commissions from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the MAP Fund and has toured extensively across the US, UK, and East Africa. She has collaborated with Kronos Quartet, NASA Kepler Co-Investigator Dr. Jon Jenkins (and his star sounds), musical legend Pee Wee Ellis and members of the BBC Philharmonic. She is a Co-Founder of the Nile Project, served as musical director for the beloved Bay Area powerhouse UnderCover Presents, and sang alongside Angelique Kidjo and Anoushka Shankar as a featured singer in the UN Women Theme Song. Her fame in Ethiopia skyrocketed in 2015 when her TED talk went viral in the country and her music videos began playing daily on multiple Ethiopian television stations. She goes back to Addis Ababa regularly to perform. Meklit's album - When the People Move, the Music Moves Too - was released June 23rd on Six Degrees Records, receiving rave reviews and quickly reaching #4 on the iTunes World Music Charts, #1 on the NACC World Charts and #12 on the World Charts in Europe. It was also named one of the 100 Best Albums of 2017 by the Sunday Times UK, one of the Best Soul Albums of 2017 by Bandcamp and amongst the 10 Best Bay Area albums of 2017 by KQED. These 11 songs were deeply inspired by Mulatu Astatke (the Godfather of Ethio-Jazz). Back in 2011, he told Meklit, "find your contribution to Ethio-Jazz and keep on innovating!" Produced by multi-GRAMMY winning artist/songwriter Dan Wilson (Adele, John Legend, Dixie Chicks), the album also features world renowned musicians Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the violinist/whistler Andrew Bird. Meklit has been featured in NPR, Vibe Magazine, CNN International, USA Today, Wall St. Journal, New York Magazine, MTV Iggy, Gizmodo, PBS, PRI’s The World, BBC Africa, BBC World Service, BBC Women’s Hour, BBC Front Row, BBC Loose Ends, The New Yorker, Brain Pickings, Wired UK, OkayAfrica, AfroPop, Google Music, Relix Magazine, Pidgeons + Planes, KEXP, WBEZ, WNYC, KQED, KBLX, Live Wire Radio, CBS Bay Area, CBS San Diego, Chicago Sun Times, Seattle Times, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, La Presse (Montreal), The Village Voice, Dig Boston, Seattle Weekly, San Francisco Magazine, SF Bay Guardian and many more. She has played at festivals and venues in the US, the UK and East Africa, including: Monterey Jazz Festival, SFJAZZ Center, Bumbershoot, SXSW, Southbank Centre, Hollywood Bowl, TED Conferences (Rio Di Janeiro, Edinburgh, Oxford, Long Beach, Arusha), Lincoln Center, Grand Performances, The Schomburg, the Apollo, YBCA, Davies Symphony Hall, Skirball Center (NYC + LA), Winter Jazz Fest, Smithsonian Folklife Fest, Kennedy Center, Stern Grove, World Cafe Live, Nuits D’Afrique (Montreal), Moods (Zurich), The Monk (Rome), Chicago World Music Festival, Gondar Castles (World Heritage Site - Ethiopia), Mulatu Astatke's Africa Jazz Village (Addis Ababa), Aswan Cultural Palace (Egypt), Blankets +Wine (Nairobi), National Theater (Uganda). Meklit’s work has been supported by grants from National Geographic, California Humanities, the MAP Fund, the Center for Cultural Innovation, Panta Rhea Foundation, The Christensen Fund, San Francisco Arts Commission, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Intersection for the Arts, Grants for the Arts, the San Francisco Foundation, Oakland Cultural Funding Project, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, The Belle Foundation for Cultural Development and more. Meklit holds a BA from Yale University. // Singer + songwriter // electric, cooking, mobility, planes, the arts, air travel, women, music as a sphere of influence // California|United States|San Francisco

California|United States|San Francisco