Theme: Dreamers and Disruptors

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Power Center
121 Fletcher Street
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103
United States

Abdul El-Sayed

Public Health Physician + Epidemiologist

Dr. El-Sayed is an internationally recognized expert in health policy, social determinants of health, and health inequalities. He is currently a candidate for governor of Michigan. He previously served as the Health Officer and Executive Director of the Detroit Health Department. Under Dr. El-Sayed’s leadership, Detroit emerged as a state and national leader in public health innovation, with major initiatives to reduce infant mortality, promote vision access, and integrate early childhood services. His work on urban health policy has been featured by The New York Times, The Guardian, CNN, Al-Jazeera, and The Hill.

Caitlin Holman

Social Entrepreneur

Caitlin Holman is a doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan School of Information. Her work focuses on the use of technology to support educational outcomes. Holman is the co-founder GradeCraft, a gameful learning platform designed to increase student engagement. GradeCraft has been used by more than 4,500 students across 50+ University courses and was recently awarded a multi-million dollar grant from the Third Century Fund to make gameful learning available for all students at the University of Michigan and beyond.

Erika Newman

Pediatric Surgeon + Cancer Researcher

Dr. Erika Newman is an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Surgery and Surgical Director of the Solid Tumor Oncology Program at CS Mott Children’s Hospital. Dr. Newman’s practice focuses on all areas of general pediatric surgery and pediatric diseases of the neck, chest, and abdomen. She completed her surgical residency at the University of Michigan and her fellowship training at the University of Chicago. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Newman is also a leading cancer researcher. Her lab currently studies the development of neural crest stem cells to provide new insights into the progression and treatment of neuroblastoma.

Jeffrey Veidlinger

Historian + Author

Jeffrey Veidlinger is the Joseph Brodsky Collegiate Professor of History and Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan. He is an expert in modern Russian and Eastern European Jewish history. Veidlinger was named a Top Young Historian by the History News Network and is the author of numerous articles and books, including “The Moscow State Yiddish Theater” (2000), “Jewish Public Culture in the Late Russian Empire” (2009), and “In the Shadow of the Shtetl” (2013). He is currently working on a project about Jewish migration, population displacement, and border crossings.

Koen Vanmechelen

Conceptual Artist

Koen Vanmechelen is an internationally renowned conceptual artist with a focus on biocultural diversity and identity. Vanmechelen is best known for his Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, where he has interbred national chicken species into “cosmopolitan chickens”. His oeuvre is as diverse and hybrid as the cosmopolitan chicken itself: a unique mix of paintings, drawings, photography, 3D-techniques, video, installations, and wooden sculptures. Vanmechelen has participated in both solo and group exhibitions around the world, including London, Venice, Amsterdam, and Moscow. Most recently, his work has been featured at the Wasserman Projects in Detroit, MI.

Scott Matzka

Athlete + Advocate

Scott Matzka is a 38 year-old father of two and a retired professional ice hockey player. As a student at Michigan, Matzka lead the Wolverines to the 1998 NCAA National Championship. He went on to have a successful 11-year career in North American and European professional leagues. In September of 2015, Matzka was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a rapidly progressive and invariably fatal neurological disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Despite his diagnosis, Matzka remains energized and believes that it is his turn to speak out and stand out. His inspiring story continues to raise awareness and support for families battling against ALS.

Sophia Brueckner

Artist + Designer + Engineer

Sophia Brueckner is an Assistant Professor at the Stamps School of Art & Design. She is interested in the ethical and thoughtful design of new technologies. As a software engineer at Google, Brueckner worked on front-end development and interface design for products impacting millions of users. She went on to explore the simultaneously empowering and controlling aspects of technology through her artwork. To further understand and raise awareness about these effects, Brueckner also teaches a Sci-Fi Prototyping course and has earned recognition from The Atlantic, Wired, NPR, and the Scientific American.

Sophia Kruz

Documentary Filmmaker

Sophia Kruz is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker with a passion for nonfiction storytelling. Kruz was selected as the 2015-2016 VSA fellow by the University of Michigan CEW, where she directed “Little Stones”, an independent documentary on the role of art in creating positive global change. She is also the co-founder of Driftseed, a non-profit organization that seeks to empower women and girls through documentary storytelling. Kruz’s work has been screened at film festivals, museums, libraries, community centers, and health-care facilities around the world. Most recently, she produced “Ride the Tiger” (2016), an hour-long PBS documentary on neuroscience and bipolar disorder.