Image by Gisela Giardino, courtesy of Creative Commons
Written by Ismael Rodriguez/Contributing Writer
The University prepares for inspiring conversations at this year’s fourth annual TEDxFIU.
Since its day-view 31 years ago in a small conference room in Monterey, California, Technology, Entertainment and Design talks have expanded worldwide.
Some of the world’s leading thinkers have been a part of TED’s 18-minute showcases. Speakers include renowned entrepreneur Bill Gates and Al Gore, 45th vice president of the U.S. and environmentalist.
Universities across the country have partaken in the movement as a way to enlighten their student population. The event was first introduced to FIU Nov. 5, 2012 and has evolved into an FIU tradition.
Previous speakers at the University include high school English teacher David Menasche, who recently passed away due to terminal brain cancer. His diagnosis forced him to leave the classroom.
Despite his cancer, Menasche decided to visit his former students to see what impact he had on them. He wrote about his experience in his book, “The Priority List.”
Other speakers include Ximena Prugue who distributed 250 solar powered lights to different villages in India, where there is little energy. Alexa Chavarry shared her Butterfly Project, which aims to reduce the number of depression and self-harm effects.
“For the last three years, faculty, alumni and students at FIU have taken to the TEDx world stage to share ideas and performances from the FIU community,” said Eduardo Merille, marketing and new media director.
“Our last three live events were all sold out and the videos produced from these events have received over half a million views via the official TEDx Talks YouTube channel,” Merille said.
This year, TEDxFIU is going with a theme coined, “Always Forward, a nod to the future.” The slogan celebrates the University’s 50 years anniversary to remind students about the importance of thinking forward, according to the TEDxFIU website.
To satisfy the theme, the TEDxFIU Selection Committee sat down and chose from a variety of speakers, all with great ideas and dominance in their field of expertise.
One of the chosen speakers, Carolyn Runowicz, a doctor and an innovative ovarian cancer researcher, looks forward to the event where she will share about her treatment research.
She said she has prepared a speech to enlighten students and faculty next to her co-researcher Sakhrat Khizroev, Electrical and Computer Engineering professor.
“The treatment is very novel and innovative. [Khizroev and I] are very excited with the results that we have obtained in the lab, and in mouse models,” said Runowicz.
“We have developed a method that seems to treat the cancer cell and spare the normal cells. Of course we have more studies in the lab and eventually in patients, but the concept and results today are very exciting,” she said.
Making his fourth appearance as host for TEDxFIU, Alberto Padron will introduce a lineup of speakers that include: hip-hop artist Reggie Baril, an independent recording artist from Miami and Todd Crowl, a sea level expert and Southeast Environmental Research Center director.
Children’s advocate, Nelson Hincapie will talk about his 15 years of experience dealing with foster kids. Rhett Williamson will discuss new and improved methods for the analysis of inks, which helps trace fraudulent security documents and currency, according to the website.
Following Williamson is autism philanthropist Patricia Kayser, an FIU graduate who will talk about why she started a non-profit organization, which focuses on helping to enhance the quality of life of autistic people through music.
Aileen Marty, FIU Health clinical lab director, who has helped combat against Ebola, and Jonathan Wynn-Strachan, founder of 60 Minutes of Art will also speak at the event.
Students will be able to purchase tickets online. An announcement will be made providing information for tickets this month.
The next TEDxFIU will take place November 5 at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center.
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