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).

Lory Student Center Theatre
Colorado State Uniersity
Lory Student Center Theatre
Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523
United States

Christopher Patrick

PhD Student

A native of northern Virginia, Chris first became interested in neuroscience research as an undergraduate at Allegheny College where he studied factors that contribute to neural proliferation. After graduating, Chris found employment at the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Janelia Research Campus researching neural circuits in fruit flies. With a desire to continue research but with a more human-centric focus, Chris was accepted into CSU’s Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Neuroscience program and joined Dr. Brett Fling’s Sensorimotor Neuroimaging Lab. Chris’ current research focuses on understanding the function of neural pathways that are involved in mobility and balance impairments in people with neurodegenerative diseases and creating neuro-focused recovery approaches. Following his graduate studies, Chris hopes to head up his own lab and research team to continue enhancing neurorehabilitative approaches to positively impact lives.

Dylan Demery

Founder and Owner of She's Fly

Dylan Demery grew up camping, hiking, and skiing in the Colorado mountains and loved finding peace there. She started fishing in 2010 shortly after losing her husband and first love, Tony. He loved fishing and she decided to carry on his legacy by hitting the water using his gear. Dylan fell in love with everything about this sport - finding catharsis in each cast, meditating within nature, healing her heart through action… She never looked back. Eventually she needed to upgrade her equipment and was shocked at the lack of women's fly fishing gear in local stores or online. She didn't know where to find what she needed to do what she loved. That's when "She's Fly" was born. Dylan shared the idea with two friends and they enthusiastically began to build upon it by sharing their experiences and brainstorming how this thing could work… and they decided to take the journey together and start a woman-owned fly fishing business in Northern Colorado.

Emmanuel Nwaneto

Entertainer

E.M.E is an Afro beat artist originated from Nigeria. With a unique blend of Nigerian-inspired Afrobeats and Hip/hop that creates an irresistible vibe, E.M.E leaves listeners feeling motivated and eager to embrace life's challenges head- on. His artistry weaves soulful melodies with captivating rhythms, bringing a fresh perspective to the music scene and leaving a lasting impact on those who tune in.

Jacob Castillo

Jacob Castillo serves as the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Fort Collins. He has two decades of diverse experience in regional economic and workforce development with a focus on activities that support upward mobility, economic inclusion and environmental stewardship. Mr. Castillo was the co-founder of two business ventures, both with a strong commitment to positive social and environmental impact. He was a contributing author to a text book on sustainable venturing and has served as an instructor at Colorado State University (CSU) on “Issues in Global Sustainability”. Mr. Castillo has served as a consultant to organizations across the U.S. and has served on a variety of local and state boards. He holds three undergraduate degrees in Agricultural Business, Foreign Language and Literature, and Economics from CSU and pursued a double masters in Global Social & Sustainable Enterprise and Agricultural & Resource Economics at CSU. Mr. Castillo has also received the designation as "Best Dad in the World" by both of his children.

Mia Ritter

Undergrad Student at Colorado State University studying Animal Sciences with Pre-Veterinary Medicine

My name is Mia Ritter and I am an Animal Scientist. I'm in my last year of my undergrad at Colorado State University working towards a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science with a Pre-Veterinary track. I am part of the Tohono O’odham Nation which is an Indigenous Tribe within the United States and my Reservation is located in Sells, Arizona. I am the first and only student of my tribe to attend CSU and would be the first to attend a doctoral program at Colorado State University. My goal is to provide medical care like spay and neuter clinics to people within my reservation because those resources are hard to get in rural areas like our community. My goal is to become a Veterinarian and teach veterinary medicine and conservation to pre-vet or veterinary students. I am very passionate about conservation and rescuing all animals in need of help. I am most excited to use my degree for the good of our society!

Mitchell Perque

Performer

Mitchell Perque is a 4th year Sociology student with a passion for art and personal expression. They are an active member of the CSU community working to create and foster authentic spaces for other students to thrive in.

Paul Cauchi

Singer/Songwriter

It all started with the piano that sits in his childhood home. As a self-taught musician and vocalist, Paul Cauchi would follow the music and play wherever it would take him. Growing up listening to Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, and Sam Smith, Paul merges lyrical angst and the warmth of orchestral tones to create a vulnerable, encapsulating sound unlike any other. With a catalog of over 250 songs, Paul debuted his first single, “Admit Me,” in early 2022. Using the entirety of his unsurpassed vocal range, he delivers melodies in unique yet satisfying ways. Drawing current inspiration from FINNEAS, JVKE, and Cody Fry, Paul’s style is constantly evolving, keeping you expecting the unexpected. His tracks will make you feel seen, heard, and may result in a few tears.

Sheilla Addison

Sheilla Addison is an M.S. student at the department of Journalism and Media Communication at Colorado State University. She is a Patsy Boyer Scholar and a research assistant at the Collab Lab where she is a co-facilitator for research on transnational gender and sexuality studies. Sheilla’s research exists at the intersection of media, race, gender, sexuality, social media representations, and construction of digital identities; She examines how the media constructs and shapes the narratives around marginalized people including women and LGBTQIA+. She explores the ways marginalized communities use social media (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) as a defensive tool to fight against dominant, imperialist, and colonial narratives in the global south. She enjoys salsa dancing, Arts, and adventure (snowmobiling and snow tubing).

Stephanie A. Malin

Associate Professor of Sociology; Co-Director of the Center for Environmental Justice, Colorado State University

Stephanie A. Malin, PhD, is Associate Professor of Sociology at Colorado State University. She studies environmental justice, health, and governance in extractive systems—and communities building distributive and regenerative systems. Stephanie utilizes community-based participatory research methods, works with community partners, and utilizes mixed methods. Stephanie is Founding Co-Director of the Center for Environmental Justice at CSU, where she is an award-winning teacher of courses on environmental justice, water and social justice, environmental sociology, and qualitative methods. Stephanie has written two books, Building Something Better: Environmental Crises and the Promise of Community Change, with Meghan Elizabeth Kallman, and The Price of Nuclear Power: Uranium Communities and Environmental Justice. As a public sociologist, Stephanie’s work can be found in outlets like The Conversation and High Country News, as well as top journals like Social Forces and Social Problems.

Vi Myers

Student at Colorado State, Double Major in Dance and Conservation Biology

Vi Myers is a third-year student at Colorado State University. They are a double major pursuing degrees in Dance and Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. Vi spent this past summer working as a field technician on a Colorado Parks and Wildlife project studying Northern Leopard Frogs. They also volunteer in CSU’s Biology Teaching Collection in their limited free time. In their time with CSU Dance, Vi has performed in faculty, student, and guest artist choreography spanning modern, ballet, and contemporary styles. They have served as a research assistant on Professor Madeline Harvey’s Movement Through Parenthood project since January of 2022. Their ensemble choreography debut is set for November 10th and 11th in CSU Dance’s 2023 Fall Dance Concert. Their central interest in both conservation and dance is community engagement: how do we talk to our community about conservation? How do we talk to our community about dance?