Theme: Spirit of Wonder

We are excited to invite you to join us for a day of curiosity, imagination, and wonder on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Centennial Hall on main campus. The University of Arizona's unending curiosity shapes TEDxUArizona: Spirit of Wonder, with talks and interviews revealing incandescent ideas and profound research, and vivid performances from across campus. Stay tuned for speaker and performance announcements in the coming weeks!

TEDxUArizona is an in-person event that will feature several speakers over three sessions throughout the day including performances. After each session, attendees will have the chance to meet the speakers and performers.

Session Times:
Session 1: 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Session 2: 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Session 3: 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Centennial Hall
1020 E University Blvd
Tucson, Arizona, 85719
United States

Alain-Philippe Durand

Dr. Alain-Philippe “A-P” Durand, Dorrance Dean of the College of Humanities at the University of Arizona, specializes in French and Brazilian literatures, French Cinema, and Hip-Hop studies. An accomplished author and editor, his notable works include 'The Entrepreneurial Humanities' and 'Humanities = Jobs.' Recognized with the Palmes Académiques and various awards, he is celebrated for his diverse contributions to literature, culture, and the promotion of Humanities in professional spheres."

Alexandra Cerna

Alexandra Cerna, a filmmaker and photographer from Scottsdale, Arizona, blends her Mexican and Irish American heritage in her creative work. Starting her storytelling journey at the tender age of 7, Lexi’s work taps into the vitality of mariachi, everyday magic, and powerful women artists. A recent graduate of the University of Arizona’s School of Theatre, Film & Television, her senior thesis film, “Treasures Beneath My Tree,” garnered global acclaim, connecting audiences worldwide. Cerna’s work, celebrating the beauty of the natural and human worlds, shines through her online gallery at Crescentdisco.com.

Brian Moon

Brian Moon, a University of Arizona musicologist, musician, and Associate Professor of Practice, passionately enhances student learning by teaching musicians and non-musicians alike to listen to music as if they were performers. His research ranges from black spirituals’ impact to Frank Sinatra and American popular music history. Brian co-launched Lifetimes of Listening with longtime colleague and friend, Dan Kruse. Their podcast celebrates music’s unifying power, individual experiences, and connections to broader trends, and bridges musical past and present. Binge the archive at musicalmemories.music.arizona.edu

Dante Lauretta

Dante Lauretta is a Regents Professor of Planetary Science and Cosmochemistry at the University of Arizona's Lunar & Planetary Laboratory and the director of the new Arizona Astrobiology Center. He is an expert in near-Earth asteroid formation and evolution, and the leader of NASA's OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return mission. OSIRIS-REx is the United States’ premier mission to visit one of the most potentially hazardous near-Earth Asteroids, survey it to assess its impact hazard and resource potential, understand its physical and chemical properties, and return a sample of this body to Earth for detailed scientific analysis. The spacecraft launched in September 2016 and began its journey to carbon-rich near-Earth asteroid, Bennu. OSIRIS-REx rendezvoused with Bennu in 2018, obtained a sample in October 2020, embarked on its return voyage to Earth on May 10, 2021, and successfully released the sample return capsule which landed September 24, 2023.

Deepta Bhattacharya

Dr. Deepta Bhattacharya is a Professor of Immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. He received his BS in biochemistry from Indiana University, his PhD in molecular and cell biology from UC Berkeley, and postdoctoral training at Stanford University. In 2008, he began his own lab at Washington University in St. Louis, first as an Assistant Professor and then as a tenured Associate Professor. He returned in 2017 to his birthplace of Tucson and to the University of Arizona, where his research group studies immune responses to vaccines and infections. His group has made many findings on molecular and cellular pathways and features of vaccines that are important for durable immunity. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Bhattacharya’s research and viewpoints were featured heavily in major media outlets such as The New York Times, National Public Radio, CNN. and The Wall Street Journal.

Duane Cyrus

Currently at the University of Arizona, Duane Cyrus is an award-winning performing and creative artist whose work is informed by Black American and Caribbean history and culture. He is a two-time North Carolina Arts Council Choreography Fellow, Princess Grace Foundation Awardee, and Bessie Award nominee. Cyrus danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, The Lion King (West End), and Martha Graham Dance Company. He is co-author of the book Vital Grace: The Black Male Dancer with Joanne Savio. He is founder of Theatre of Movement, LLC, a performing and visual art collective. Visit: dance.arizona.edu

Grupo Folklórico Miztontli

Grupo Folklórico Miztontli, founded by Denise T. Garcia in 2006, is a vibrant student-run ensemble at the University of Arizona. As the first and only folklórico student dance group on campus, Miztontli celebrates Mexican traditions, fostering multicultural awareness through dynamic dance performances. Named after the Nahuatl word for "puma" or "cat," reflecting the Wildcat spirit, Miztontli promotes personal growth, leadership, and cultural understanding. With roots dating back to 2007, the group's captivating performances showcase the richness of Mexican culture, reaching audiences across the University and Tucson communities. The dancers are: Yesenia B. Anaya, Bryan I. Cruz Palomino, Annett E. Trujillo Encinas, Luisa F. Becerra Espinoza, Scarlett A. Fierro, Rosy Flores, Adrian G. Gonzales, Jessica N. Ortega Guevara, Adriana M. Gutierrez, Melvin J. Gutierrez, Andruw Cruz Martinez, Joel A. Saldaña Perez, Evelyn Vargas Soto and Sophie Weber.

Halley Hughes

Halley Hughes, a Master of Science Candidate in Agricultural Education, is a third generation Tucson native passionately committed to sustainability and environmental justice. As a scientist and storyteller, she explores the dynamic intersection of these roles, addressing critical issues like energy poverty and climate resilience. With a focus on empathy, diversity, and inclusion, Halley envisions these values as catalysts for profound change.

Heather Roper

For a decade, Heather has translated intricate mission concepts into captivating visual narratives that ignite people's curiosity about space exploration. With a passion for art and science and a BFA from the University of Arizona, her artwork has achieved international recognition, appearing in publications like the New York Times, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.

Michael Dake

Michael D. Dake, MD, is senior vice president for the University of Arizona Health Sciences. As head of the academic medical center, he directs strategic integration of undergraduate and graduate education, research, service and clinical activities across UArizona Health Sciences colleges, centers and clinical affiliates. Dr. Dake is internationally known for pioneering image-guided therapies and novel approaches in interventional therapy in vascular imaging, venous thromboembolic disease, aortic aneurysms and dissection. He made medical history with the implantation of the world’s first thoracic stent-graft, and his groundbreaking research with CT angiography and stent-grafts has rewritten medical and surgery textbooks. Prior to joining UArizona Health Sciences, he served at Stanford University as professor of cardiothoracic surgery and director of the catheterization and angiography laboratories at Stanford Medical Center. Previously, he served as chairman of the Department of Radiology in the Virginia Health System.

Rachel Rheinhardt, Michael Dake, Deepta Bhattacharya

Rachel Reinhardt, Associate VP for Communications at the University of Arizona Health Sciences moderates the conversation between Michael D. Dake, MD, senior vice president for the University of Arizona Health Sciences and Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, Professor of Immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. All three are working to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals while advancing research into better, more personalized medical treatments.

Rebecca Thompson, Annalysa Lovos

Rebecca Thompson, nationally recognized public artist and biophilic arts researcher, specializes in large-scale, natural-material commemorations. With an MFA from Cornell and a PhD from the University of Arizona, she focuses on cross-cultural strategies using biophilic art to enhance individual health. Thompson's research positively influences communities and the built environment. Her work, featured on campuses, public sites, and private collections nationwide, reflects her dedication to integrating reclaimed materials into monumental, site-specific creations. Annalysa Lovos, MA, is a doctoral candidate and instructor in Cognition and Neural Systems at the University of Arizona. She studies the impact of sleep and environmental factors on cognitive and brain development using cognitive and physiological measures as well as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Her NIH-funded research focuses in particular on cognitive and brain development in individuals with intellectual and developmental disorders. She enjoys drawing, guitar and swimming.

Stephanie Russo Carroll

Associate Professor

Dr. Stephanie Carroll, citizen of the Native Village of Kluti-Kaah in Alaska, and of Sicilian descent, is an Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Arizona. As the director of the Collaboratory for Indigenous Data Governance, she spearheads research on Indigenous Data Sovereignty, shaping policy and practice. A leader in the field, she co-founded the US Indigenous Data Sovereignty Network and chairs the Global Indigenous Data Alliance.

UArizona Health Sciences

Rachel Reinhardt, Associate VP for Communications at the University of Arizona Health Sciences moderates the conversation between Michael D. Dake, MD, senior vice president for the University of Arizona Health Sciences and Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, Professor of Immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. All three are working to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals while advancing research into better, more personalized medical treatments.

YuanYuan Kay He

Dr. Yuanyuan (Kay) He, a Chinese-born composer and multimedia artist, weaves diverse media to craft captivating audiovisual experiences. Known for collaborative works spanning dance, video, and music, she serves as Creative Director for Electronic Music Midwest and founded the Turn Up Multimedia Festival. As Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona, she imparts expertise in composition, electroacoustic music, multimedia, and orchestration.