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).

Rudder Complex
401 Joe Routt Blvd
College Station, Texas, 77843
United States

Amir Behzadan

Dr. Behzadan is an Associate Professor of Construction Science at Texas A&M University, and Director of the Connected Informatics and Built Environment Research (CIBER) Lab. He also has a courtesy appointment in the Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering. Dr. Behzadan received his Ph.D. in civil engineering and his M.S. in construction engineering and management both from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His research tries to answer important questions that challenge the status-quo in how humans interact with and adapt to the built and natural environments. Dr. Behzadan's research interests include novel applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in areas related to resilience to climate disasters and natural hazards, data analytics in contested and austere environments, workplace safety and ergonomics, and construction automation.

Amirpooya Dardashti

I was born in Tehran, the capital of Iran. From a very young age, my parents emphasized the importance of learning languages, particularly English. In fact, I was very fortunate to attend a bilingual preschool in Tehran that provided the opportunity to not only learn Farsi (Persian), but also English. When I was only six years old, my parents decided to move to the US. I quickly began to appreciate and reap the rewards of my early language endeavors as that allowed me to smoothly transition into the American educational system. I spent ten years attending elementary and middle school in the US before we ultimately relocated again, this time back to Tehran. Growing up in Iran and the United States gave me the opportunity to develop two very different world perspectives that have shaped me into the person I am today. During my time in Iran, I began my teaching career, that has continued up till this very day. I also graduated with a B.A. in English Literature and Language and M.A. in Applied Linguistics from Iran. I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Educational Psychology emphasis in Bilingual/ESL education at Texas A&M.

Caroline Matlock

Caroline graduated Texas A&M in 2017 with a degree in Genetics and Biochemistry. After three years working in toxicology and genetics labs, she went back to school in the evenings and earned her MBA at the University of Houston in December 2020. Currently she works on the Process Risk & Controls Consulting team at RSM Houston helping a variety of companies with SOX compliance and internal audit. Caroline was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma in 2015 and has beat it twice since then. In her free time Caroline volunteers with HOBY Leadership Seminar and serves as a judge for the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston to stay in touch with her love of science. She also loves Astros baseball, participating in adult intramural sports, and her cat Olaf.

Drew Myers

I'm an enlivener and a story seeker. I give others the opportunity to share their story - with the hopes that they also embrace their story. Through my podcasts and speaking engagements, I showcase and celebrate individuals who have given themselves permission to live radically honest lives, pursue their dreams and live on purpose. My message revolves around mental resilience, self-care and personal development. I have a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Journalism. I also has a master’s degree in Educational Administration. Probably my most impactful on-the-job training came as a college football coach and recruiting coordinator for a major Division I football program (Go Frogs!). In September of 2021, my debut book – The Tacos and Chocolate Diet – was released.

Emen Washington

Emem Washington is a Success Strategist, Trainer and the Founder of ModaVida, a personal and professional development company. She is also an Author, Recording Artist, and Attorney. An unapologetic optimist, her favorite things include “blue sky days”, fine-tipped pens of any color, and anything she can write on (yes, napkins included). She is mom to two miracle sons. Get to know her further at www.ememwashington.com.

George Hademenos

George Hademenos is currently in his 21st year of teaching physics at Richardson High School in Richardson, Texas. He was awarded a BS degree in Physics from Angelo State University and the MS and PhD degrees in Physics from the University of Texas at Dallas. He lives in Richardson with his wife Kelly who recently retired as a classroom teacher. They have a daughter, Alexandra, who graduated from Angelo State University with a degree in Education and is currently an English teacher in Dallas ISD, and two fur babies: Atticus and Jane. George is always in search of novel and creative ways to expand instructional engagement in his classroom like global education. Most people view travel as an escape from the daily stresses of life or an excuse to use the newly purchased camera or downloaded app. George sees travel as a platform to reach his students by applying a global perspective to real-world examples of content taught in class. He has seen first-hand the instructional benefits of global education and welcomes all opportunities to stimulate a discussion and initiate a dialogue with all stakeholders in the educational system regarding the role and future prospects for globalizing the curriculum.

Grady Hillhouse

Grady Hillhouse is a civil engineer and science communicator widely known for his educational video series Practical Engineering, currently one of the largest engineering channels on YouTube with over 2 million subscribers and millions of views each month. His videos focus on infrastructure and the human-made world around us, helping people make a connection between themselves and their constructed environment. The Practical Engineering channel has garnered media attention from around the world and been featured on the Discovery Channel, Science Channel, Make Magazine, Gizmodo, and many others. Hillhouse graduated from Texas A&M in 2012 with a master’s degree in civil engineering. Before stepping into full-time video production, he spent nine years as a private consultant working on a wide variety of infrastructure projects with a focus on dams and hydraulic structures.

Jonan Donaldson

Thoughts lead to actions, and conceptualizations lead to practices. In this talk, Dr. Jonan Phillip Donaldson uses complex conceptual systems theory to explain how our practices are emergent from our conceptualizations. A new method for identifying distinct conceptualizations and the set of practices emergent from them has the potential to help us bring about transformations in practices that have never before been possible. Dr. Donaldson illustrates this through analysis of conceptualizations of learning, and how problematic practices in teaching and learning emerge from problematic conceptualizations. Trying to change practices without first changing the underlying complex conceptual systems is like kicking an ant hill - things will always revert back to the way they were before. It is impossible to bring about significant change in educational practices if we don’t work on changing the underlying conceptualizations of learning from which practices emerge.

Kimberly DeVore

I graduated from Texas A&M in 1996 and worked in corporate benefit sales and account management in the insurance industry for 15 years. After my husband passed away suddenly in 2012, I stopped working as a single mom to raise my two kids, who were 8 and 12 at the time. My son is currently a freshman at Texas A&M and my daughter is going to University of South Florida in the fall. I am finishing two master’s degrees this spring at Oral Roberts University. During the past ten years, I went to school, taught as a teaching assistant at the college, and mentored high school and college kids, including the college basketball team. Currently, I speak at women’s conferences and events and mentor high school and college age girls.

Max Gerall

Max Gerall was born in Houston Texas and is a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2018. Max is a dedicated social entrepreneur with a passion for creating sustainable higher education ecosystems through the concept of “weaving” and community engagement. He is passionate about transforming lives by infusing – Respect, Empowerment, Aspiration, Community, and Hope. He is committed to marrying the compassion of philanthropy with the effectiveness and the efficiency of the business world, creating a successful and sustainable society. Max has developed an intense passion for giving back to communities around the world. “I have found my purpose in life and I am confident in my mission. “ But, it all starts at “home,” and right now, that’s Aggieland.

Sara Jane del Carmen

Sara Jane del Carmen is currently a graduate student in the Texas A&M School of Law LLM Risk Management program, Texas A&M School of Law Adjunct Professor, Tarleton State University Criminal Justice PhD Adjunct Professor, and Legal Adviser/Subject Matter Expert for Del Carmen Consulting, LLC. She recently left 24 years of public service having spent the last decade on as a criminal court judge. Upon discovering she is neurodivergent, she is determined to help others find their superpowers.

Sifu Devante Love

Sifu DeVante Love (they/them) is an Olympic Martial Artist, Mind body therapist, and spiritual teacher who has over a decade of experience helping their students heal themselves from trauma, anxiety and stress. They are the Founder of Healing Kung Fu, an online LGBTQ and BIPOC friendly spiritual martial arts school which guides students toward attaining new levels of wellness through spiritualized movement meditation practices. After getting their masters degree in Spiritual Psychology from Columbia University, the was invited to train, teach and compete all over the US and internationally.