Theme: Fusion

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).

Montgomery Blair High School
51 University Blvd E
Silver Spring, Maryland, 20901
United States

John Thomann

Architect and Technical Director

An authority on codes, permitting and on-site coordination, John has spent his career solving technical problems and exceeding client expectations. He offers specialized experience in workplace and law firm interiors, but also draws on his core-and-shell architecture background. Always eager to share his knowledge, John has served as a Visiting Professor at Virginia Tech University and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. He is also a member of the District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) Sustainable Task Force, a member of the Circle of Life Society at the Smithsonian National Zoo and a board member of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (AYPO).

June Lee

Autonomous Therapeutics in Medicine Expert

Dr. June Lee has been serving as the Chair of the NIH Artificial Intelligence Interest Group since 2003. She has been working at NIH since 1989. Dr. Lee joined the NICHD in 1999 from the NEI. She is a clinical pharmacologist and program director whose responsibilities include writing RFA/RFP initiatives, advising grant applicants, making funding recommendations, monitoring awarded grants and contracts in pharmacology and therapeutics. Dr. Lee currently serves on the National Emerging Technologies Committee and is the chair of NIH Biomarker Interest Group.

Lynn Fellman

Artist Focusing On Genomic Science

Lynn Fellman is an independent artist and Senior Fulbright Scholar who writes and draws about the beauty and value of genomic science. The National Science Foundation, Cold Spring Harbor Lab, universities, and scientific organizations have supported her work. Fusing digital tools and traditional media, she weaves illustrated narratives with explanations of scientific research. The outcome could be an art exhibit or animated video, an interactive or printed book. Her current project, “We Want Our Genome Story,” is an eBook that takes you into the heart of the Genomics Revolution. It’s an illustrated, interactive eBook about a human named Artist on a journey to understand her Genome Story.

Niklas Elmqvist

Information Science Professor

All of Niklas Elmqvist's career has basically been a pursuit of pixels. As a data visualization researcher, Niklas is obsessed with the use of colored pixels (computer graphics) to represent data: all kinds of data, from stock markets and sales trends, to social networks and spatial scan statistics. Recently, however, he has come across a population of users totally immune to his efforts: blind people, who are entirely locked away from data visualization and unable to enjoy its benefits. Niklas is now trying to fuse vision with the other senses -- primarily hearing and touch, but even smell -- in order to convey data. In particular, he is interested in finding creative new ways for the blind to deal with even big data, which is becoming increasingly important when navigating the modern world.

Sarah Ewing

Dance Choreographer

Sarah J. Ewing is an Australian born choreographer engaging the intersection of dance and technology to make performance and installation work for theatres as well as site-specific locations. Sarah was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to create an installation for the Moonshot Studio for the REACH Opening Festival in fall 2019 and will choreograph her first main stage opera in spring 2020. Ewing is the recipient of grants from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, a Local Dance Commissioning grant from the Kennedy Center and a Dance Metro DC Dance Connect grant. Her company, S. J. EWING & DANCERS, has presented work throughout DC including the Kennedy Center, Dupont Underground, Dance Place, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Source Theater, Bread for the City, 2M, Flash Nightclub, and The Warehouse. They recently presented in New Zealand’s premier alternative arts festival, The Arcade. The company has toured across the US and internationally.