Theme: Unspoken Voices

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).

Biotech Accelerator
841 E Fayette St, Syracuse, NY 13210
Syracuse, New York, 13212
United States

Amelia Scott Barrett

Neurologist

Amelia Scott Barrett, MD is a Stanford-trained neurologist who shows people how to use functional medicine and biohacking tools to relieve headaches. She graduated with Honors in Psychology from Smith College, and then attended the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Barrett completed her residency training at Stanford University and then returned home to Colorado. She then founded Rocky Mountain Neurology, where she specializes in headache patients. She also raised three amazing humans, and enjoys yoga and cooking.

Augusta Williams

Assistant Professor, Public Health and Preventive Medicine

Augusta Williams is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. She earned her ScD and completed her post-doctoral training at Harvard University at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health and her MPH from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, both in environmental health sciences. She earned her BS in biology and atmospheric sciences from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Dr. Williams’s training and expertise is at the intersection of public health, atmospheric science, and climate change. She examines how climate change and meteorological parameters (e.g., temperature, precipitation, humidity) impact health outcomes. Dr. Williams was also awarded a 2020 United States Presidential Management Fellowship, which allowed her to spend over two years as a Health Scientist at the United State Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, working at the intersection of science translation into public policy.

Brian Johnson

Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine

Brian Johnson M.D. is Professor Emeritus at SUNY Upstate. He ran the only neuropsychoanalytic Addiction Medicine Service in the world until 2022. He has published papers with 11 medical students and 13 residents.

Katie Farkouh

Medical Student

Katie is a medical student who graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Human Evolutionary Biology and a minor in Global Health and Health Policy. Her passions in medicine focus on the intersection between global health, refugee health, maternal health, and pediatrics. As a daughter of Syrian immigrants, Katie has witnessed the various barriers and disparities within healthcare in global settings. She strives to work with global and refugee populations to alleviate these disparities as a future physician. During her time at Upstate, Katie co-directs the Refugee Health Literacy Program, founded the Environmental Justice and Sustainability Club, interns at a global non-profit focused on maternal healthcare, tutors refugee and immigrant students at RISE, and is involved in clinical research. She likes to spend her free time outdoors and playing the piano. Katie aspires to integrate her passions into her future career to help achieve health equity.

Nicole Byers

Neuropsychologist

Dr. Nicole Byers is a neuropsychologist, host of The Bold Life podcast, and CEO of Rocky Mountain Neurosciences in Calgary, Canada. She has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Saskatchewan, she is an Adjunct Research Assistant Professor with the University of Calgary, and she has published articles in professional journals on the topics of brain health and neuroscience. She helps busy professionals overcome the mental habits that keep them stuck in self-doubt, overwhelm, and stress so they can have the confidence to achieve their goals.

Uchenna Umeh

Physician and Activist

A former Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force and disabled veteran, Uchenna L. Umeh MD, MBA (Dr. Lulu aka The Momatrician) is a Nigerian-born board-certified pediatrician, 3-time TEDx speaker, 5-time bestselling author, and mother of three. She works specifically in LGBTQ+ advocacy and activism. Her primary focus is educating about acceptance, affirmation, support and understanding of LGBTQ+ persons, particularly the #transgender community. Dr. Lulu’s work has been recognized by the “Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission” of Nigeria, the Texas State House of Representatives, the San Antonio LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Business Journal, and The Trans Resistance of Texas. She is a multi-award-winning LGBTQ+ advocate who has been featured in multiple media outlets including an interview by CBS This Morning and Oprah Winfrey.

Willie Underwood III

Urologist

Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, is a board-certified urologist. He was elected to the AMA Board of Trustees and is chair-elect. An expert in health care disparities and health care policy, he has served on several national and regional health care policy committees. He earned his BS in biology from Morehouse College and his MD and M.Sc. degrees from SUNY Upstate Medical University. He received his general and urologic surgery training at the University of Connecticut Health Center. After residency, he became the fifth urologist admitted into the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program. In addition to co-authoring many peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and published abstracts, he has received millions in research funding from the NIH. He holds patents for co-developing a biomarker for prostate cancer and is the co-founder of KAPS biotechnology, LLC. He is also the CMO and Research Officer of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity.