Theme: On The Edge

TEDxUSC is a signature university event that brings unique ideas from students, faculty and keynote speakers to the Trojan family and community beyond.

Tommy's Place
3601 Trousdale Pkwy
Los Angeles, California, 90089
United States

Angela Zhou

Cultural Relativism | World Bachelor in Business

I became passionate about the topic after realizing how relevant it is in the World Bachelor in Business program. Over the past four years, I’ve been able to learn more about how culture influences ethics and affects the different approaches students have towards making decisions. I hope to share more about my program and how it impacted my notion of ethics as an American. Unconventional academic programs like WBB are important in setting an example for universities that seek to build a more informed and dynamic student body.

Bhaskar Krishnamachari

Professor at the University of Southern California, Viterbi School of Engineering

Bhaskar Krishnamachari is a Professor and Ming Hsieh Faculty Fellow in Electrical Engineering at the Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California. He has been a faculty member in the Department of Electrical Engineering since 2002. He also holds a joint appointment in the Department of Computer Science. He is the Director of the Autonomous Networks Research Group, and Co-Director of the Ming Hsieh Institute.

Carrie Zhang

Singer/Songwriter, Student studying Public Relations at the University of Southern California

"I grew passionate about social justice because of my love for people and I was frustrated that those I loved felt they could not express themselves freely. I was frustrated that people could or could not do things because of their gender, race, sexuality, abilities or other part of their identity. I was frustrated that prejudice and discrimination had such a driving role in so many of the systems we live in. So, I began to write songs. Songwriting let me put fluidly how I felt and helped me process my thoughts when my mind seemed scattered. When I realized, that many of the songs’ messages related to other people; I found that songwriting was a way for stories to be shared and noticed, driving conversation about social change. My hope is that I dedicate parts of my life to positively contribute to society by channeling my creative interests, using art for activism."

Daniel Kowbel

Actor, Poet, University of Southern California Alumnus

Daniel Kowbel is a revivalist, artist, and transcendentalist working toward his lifelong dream of opening up an exhibit called “Poems and Polaroids” and releasing a corresponding coffee table book of the same name. Daniel is currently writing a short film that he is set to begin filming on location in Havana, Cuba in March. Shortly after in April, he will be hitting Trousdale to grace the TEDxUSC stage to deliver his talk, “Post-Traumatic Growth and the Decision to BE Better.”

Drew Schwendiman

Journalist, Student studying Broadcast and Digital Journalism at the University of Southern California

Drew Schwendiman is a junior at USC studying Broadcast and Digital Journalism. Ever since his first musical in middle school, he’s found a passion for telling stories to audiences in new and unconventional ways. After a successful run competing in speech and debate in high school, he came to USC with the dreams of being a daytime talk show host. Now, you can find Drew anchoring The Morning Brew and The Buzz every week, bringing his charm, sass, and wit to a screen near you.

Jeremiah O'Brian

Adjunct Lecturer, USC School of Dramatic Arts + Entrepreneur + Actor

Jeremiah O’Brian is a faculty member at the USC School of Dramatic Arts. His exceptionally diverse background – from gritty nuts-and-bolts firefighting to Film and Theater credits and accolades – is bolstered by his several graduate degrees, including an MFA from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and will be, in the near future, pursuing a Masters in Entrepreneurship (MSIE) at the Marshall School of Business at USC. Among his colleagues, mentors, and friends are Mel Shapiro, David Bridel, Jean-Louis Rodrigue, Bobby Morseco, Larry Moss, Antwone Fisher, Alfred Molina and the late, great Gil Cates.

Natasha Natarajan

Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Enthusiast, University of Southern California Alumnae

Since the age of 15, Natasha’s life purpose has revolved around the promise of stem cells. She is currently a senior majoring in Human Biology at USC while simultaneously pursuing a Master’s in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. When she isn’t running around juggling the pre-med life at USC, she is on the Health Sciences Campus working on cutting-edge research on the regeneration of cartilage as a potential cure for osteoarthritis. In 10 years, you will see Natasha as a full-fledged stem cell physician implementing translational medicine and bringing about more effective cures using transformative stem cell technology. But for the time being, Natasha lives an exciting life at USC serving as an SI leader to general chemistry students and guiding them through the perils of what it means to be pre-med. Beyond all the science that surrounds Natasha’s life, she enjoys listening to South African music, watching too much television, and reading mystery/crime fiction novels.

Nathaniel Haas

Juris Doctor Candidate, USC Gould School of Law

Nathaniel Haas is a second-year law student from Reno, Nevada at USC’s Gould School of Law. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California with dual bachelors in political science and economics. Nathaniel is also a journalist covering national politics who frequently contributes to The Huffington Post. His work has appeared in POLITICO, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Sacramento Bee, and The Denver Post. In June of 2016, he received the Los Angeles Press Club Award for Best Online Investigative Journalism and was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for his work in investigative journalism on campus sexual assault.

Stefani Mikov

Technology Consultant, Social Activist and Piano Enthusiast

Of Greek and Macedonian origins, Stefani Mikov is from Istanbul. She attended a French lycée school for 15 years where she became fluent in French and Spanish and studied Latin for seven years. Because of her Greek origins, she also speaks Greek. She attended the Istanbul University State Conservatory for piano and has been playing piano professionally for ten years. She recently graduated from Industrial & Systems Engineering with a piano minor from USC in December 2016. She is a technology consultant at Deloitte.

Victoria Garrick

USC Trojans Women's Volleyball Player, Student studying Journalism at the University of Southern California

From Atherton, California, Victoria Garrick is a rising Junior libero for the USC Women’s Indoor Volleyball team. Both freshman and sophomore year, Victoria started and played in every match for the Women of Troy, who won the Pac-12 Championship in 2015. During a difficult freshman year, learning how to be a Division I athlete as well a Dean’s List student, she dealt with situational depression, anxiety, and a binge-eating disorder. By seeing a sports psychologist at USC every week, Victoria was able to learn how to manage her mental health issues, as well as regain normal eating habits. However, she is very concerned about other athletes like her who do not have the confidence to seek help, or learn how to manage their chaotic lives. One of Victoria’s missions in her final two years of college is to help others by sharing her experience.