Theme: Breaking The Mold

TEDxClemsonU is a structured, independent platform that brings together students, professionals, and community leaders to share ideas to put an end to a confining design of behavior by doing things in a markedly different way. Breaking the Mold strives to exploit the unexplored potential of the strong and diverse community sense in Clemson. The ideas put forward will challenge the traditional ways, test its timelessness and encourage different ways of thinking.

Watt Family Innovation Center
405 S Palmetto Blvd
Clemson, South Carolina, 29634
United States

Addie Stone

Student

Addie Stone is a junior agribusiness major and Spanish minor from Dallas, Texas. She is the president of the Agribusiness Association as well as an active member of Chi Omega, and in her free time she loves traveling and being in the outdoors. Passionate about urban agriculture, Addie aims to start a think tank dedicated to research and program develop in this sphere. With her TEDx talk on “Accessible Agriculture,” she hopes to start a conversation on the state of the American agriculture industry, why we need to search for talent in non-traditional places, and how we can attract them to the industry when we do.

Brandon Xavier

Student

I am a senior Microbiology major from Spartanburg, SC. I am graduating in May with plans on attending medical school. I enjoy learning about health and wellness and hope to pursue a career in sports medicine. My Ted talk will be centered around what I found to be some of the most applicable information I learned throughout my undergraduate education. The focus of my talk is about the human gut microbiome and what you consume affects the size and diversity of bacteria in your gut. These bacteria impact many aspects about your life including your mood, appearance, likes, and dislikes.

Christian Steinmetz

Audio Engineer and Researcher

I am a double major studying electrical engineering and audio technology. I work both as an audio engineer, producing recordings for artists, and as a researcher, working on creative applications of artificial intelligence in the context of music production. My goal is to develop tools for both audio engineers and music listeners that enhance how we engage with and create music.

Dr. Shea Tolbert

Cosmetic and General Dentist

Dr. Tolbert is a graduate of Clemson University, the Medical University of South Carolina, College of Dental Medicine, and the University of Florida Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program. He lectures on the practical applications of technologies including digital impressions, CAD/CAM dentistry, digital radiology, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT imaging), digital smile design, and 3D printing. Dr. Tolbert currently serves as an Affiliate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, College of Dental Medicine and as an Adjunct Professor at Clemson University Department of Science. He has also been published and featured in several dental magazines and international continuing education webinars. He is CEO and Co-founder of Launch Digital Dentistry, an educational company focused on implementing digital dentistry workflows to better your practice.

Emily Scircle

Undergraduate Researcher

Emily is a senior at Clemson University studying Language and International Public Health with an emphasis in Spanish and Hospital Administration and minor in Psychology. Originally a preferred walk-on for Clemson’s varsity rowing program, she received a medical release after her freshman season in 2016 due to a diagnosis of narcolepsy. Rather than dwell on her experience, she used it to springboard an interest in undergraduate research focusing on human stress and fatigue. She has spent the past 2 years focusing on her own research study, investigating the exposure of bright light to decrease daytime sleepiness as an alternative to caffeine and stimulants. Scircle was one of six Clemson undergraduates selected to present her findings at the ACC Meeting of the Minds Conference in April 2018.

Leslie Lewis

Doctoral Candidate

Leslie Lewis is a doctoral student in Educational Leadership at Clemson University. She is also an academic librarian by profession. Leslie is writing her dissertation on women and leadership at West Point. She is herself a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, from the sixth class with women, and served in the US Army as a Military Intelligence officer.

Michael Arnold

Continuous Improvement Quality Manager

Michael watched Neil Armstrong step on to the moon while sitting on his grandpa’s knee. He wanted to be an astronaut, but discovered in high school he was 3 inches too tall! Michael decided to become an engineer and build taller spaceships, discovering his passion: solving problems by changing the status quo. Michael’s mentor in college told him "Don't become a quality engineer in the automotive industry." He found the last 25 years in automotive quality to be challenging and fast paced, but now understands the advice thanks to the command and control management culture. Michael’s focus the last 15+ years has been solving complex problems, gaining both Shainin Red X Journeyman and Six Sigma Black Belt certifications, including teaching and coaching Six Sigma. Michael’s experience and knowledge enables him to help others solve their biggest problems. Drawing on this experience he now trains and coaches others to resolve problems with innovative solutions.

Rebecca Heiss

CEO/Founder Icueity

After earning her PhD with research designated as “transformative” by the National Science Foundation, Dr. Rebecca Heiss went on to hold multiple appointments in academia, applying her research to solve practical problems in overcoming what she refers to as “biological ghosts” - subconscious behaviors that haunt modern life. She is currently launching a new self- awareness app, called Icueity, to help every individual reach her/his full potential and is the proud owner of a spoiled rotten dog named Bird. Her life motto is, “spread happy.”