Theme: Unfolding the Unknown

TEDxUConnFarmington presents: "Unfolding the Unknown"

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxUConnFarmington, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxUConnFarmington event, a wide variety of students, faculty, staff, and outside professionals can come together to spark deep discussion and connections during these trying times.

The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

~ STAY TUNED ~

UConn Health
263 FARMINGTON AVENUE
FARMINGTON, Connecticut, 06030-3905
United States

Gabriella Blazquez

Dental Student

Gabriella Blazquez is a third-year dental student at the University of Connecticut who is perusing a specialty in endodontics. She is passionate about providing care to patients in underserved communities, including those with dental fear and anxiety. In her spare time, she enjoys watching old films, trying new recipes, and hiking with her two dogs, Loch and Nessa.

Laura Marquez

Assistant Vice President of IT Clinical Systems

Laura is a transformational leader committed to bringing out the best in people by tapping into their strengths. She believes when organizations recognize their most valuable asset - their employees - then leaders can change the culture to be rich, inviting, and inspiring. Laura has worked her way up from the bottom, performing each job along the way, which has broadened her perspective and strengthened her appreciation for what people do day in and day out. Laura is now the Assistant Vice President over IT Applications at UConn Health, and she is committed to put ideas into action to positively affect change.

Livja Koka

Medical Student and Artist

Livja Koka is an MD/MBA student pursuing a career in her passion of neurology and neuropsychology. She is also a writer and songwriter, an immigrant from Albania, and a proud mom and wife.

Michaela Matos

Dental Student

Michaela Matos is a 3rd year dental student at University of Connecticut working with Dr. Sharon Gordon's research team on a Special Olympics 2020 Inclusive Health Innovation grant from the IMPACT, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prior to joining the dental school, she earned her bachelors of science degree from UConn Storrs in 2018 with a major in theoretical mathematics and molecular cell biology. In her spare time she enjoyed traveling (pre-COVID!), baking, and spending time with her puppy Gus!

Patrick Bogui (Dr. Violin)

Medical Student and Violinist

Patrick is a soulful violinist and aspiring medical doctor. He has traveled the country sharing his passion in multiple organizations, schools, private events, churches, youth groups, and other venues nationwide. Currently, Patrick is a medical student at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, where he plans to one day become a physician and not only treat his patients with medicine, but with music as well! For this reason, he humbly takes on the title of "Dr.Violin" and is a firm believer, as he often says, that "music heals."

Victoria (Tia) Kozar

Medical Student

Victoria (Tia) Kozar found her passion for geriatrics as one of the pioneer participants in the Students-in-Residence program, spending a year living with the older adults of an assisted living community. After her neighbor and close friend from the experience began to struggle with cognitive decline, she dove head first to learn all she could about Alzheimer’s and other dementias. She has gone on to share her friendship and story on the Steve Harvey Show and ABC World News and continues to speak to the importance of intergenerational relationships and reframe how others view aging.