Theme: SHIFTED

The central theme of this year’s event is "Change," with the compelling tagline "SHIFTED." This theme will be explored through various lenses, offering a comprehensive look at how change impacts different aspects of life and society.

Topics will include, but are not limited to the transitions from different stages of life, adapting to change, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Additionally, the event will aid students in highlighting key adjustments to be made personally, academically, and professionally.

By addressing these multifaceted aspects, We aspire to provide a holistic understanding of change, empowering the audience to embrace and navigate it effectively.

TEDxUofTMississauga's "SHIFTED" will be a thought-provoking and enriching experience, offering valuable perspectives on how to adapt, grow, and thrive amidst the continuous flux of life.

University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
3359 Mississauga Road
Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6
Canada

Chukwunonso Nwabufo

Translational Pharmacologist

Chukwunonso Nwabufo is an award-winning translational pharmacologist with over six years of drug development experience in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. He contributed to the development of Remdesivir and Lenacapavir for COVID-19 and HIV treatments, respectively, and was involved in developing novel therapeutics for Parkinson’s disease. His research work at the University of Toronto focuses on personalized medicine strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy and safety. He has received over 20 awards, including the CIHR Doctoral Awards, Emerging Academic Scholars Award, and Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award for his contribution to healthcare innovation. He has received $400,000+ in funding and authored 17 peer-reviewed papers. Nwabufo serves on the Editorial Boards of Drug Metabolism Reviews and the Journal of Applied Bioanalysis. He also chairs the Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Metabolism Community of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, USA

Keisha Lerum

Roman History and Anthropology Student

Keisha Lerum has been practicing Roman Stoicism for six years. Initially adopting Epictetus’s advice from the Enchiridion during a challenging time, she has since incorporated teachings from other Roman Stoic philosophers into her daily life. Among their core principles, Keisha values mental discipline and the dichotomy of control, viewing them as essential tools for managing passions and alleviating emotional suffering. She regularly engages in voluntary discomfort to further develop her resilience and appreciation for life. She shares these insights with friends seeking advice, lending them her well-worn texts to support their journeys. Beyond these, Keisha is a student of anthropology and classics, focusing on Ancient Roman culture and identity from provincial perspectives. She works as a skincare advisor and enjoys writing, cycling, and camping.

Leo Chan

Chief Innovation Igniter & Coach

Leo is the Chief Innovation Igniter of Abound Innovation Inc. where he helps rising professionals and leaders create a new future by learning to innovate today. He's a people and heart-first entrepreneur who believes everyone can be an innovator. An innovator himself, with 55 US patents and 20+ years of experience, Leo has come alongside organizations like Chick-fil-A and guided them to unleash the innovative potential of their employees. Leo’s friendly, joyful, and enthusiastic demeanor makes the innovation journey exciting and attainable. He’s a LinkedIn Learning Instructor and a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® trainer & facilitator who believes unlocking innovation takes new approaches.

Martin DeSouza

Entrepreneur

Martin DeSouza is a multifaceted entrepreneur in the digital marketing and personal development space from Toronto, Canada. At 32, he has carved a unique path across several industries, blending his passions for business, financial literacy, personal growth, and community. With a background in high-level competitive sports, Martin is a leadership, system-building, and mindset development student. His ventures range from helping entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and coaches build 7-figure businesses to launching a successful media company allowing him to work and travel to over 30 countries. Martin is the co-founder of an AI-creative marketing agency, helping personal brands and small businesses leverage AI-driven content strategies.

Sabrina Baldini

Sex Educator and Coach

Sabrina has an extensive and eclectic background in sex education. She has taught at varying academic levels and in varying parts of the world. Most recently, she has been teaching menstruation with a local charity and is a Board Director for an abortion rights advocacy group in Canada. She also works as a sex coach with couples and individuals in varying areas of sexual health, in addition to leading group workshops, too. Sabrina earned an advanced degree in Sexual Health and Rehabilitative Medicine from the University of Alberta and has completed advanced courses in Human sexuality at the University of Guelph and the Kinsey Institute. She strives to use her passion for sex education, human sexuality, and sex positivity to help individuals improve their relationships and lives.

Sirio Berati

Creative Entrepreneur & AI Innovator

Sirio Berati is a creative entrepreneur from Albania, acclaimed as a modern-day polymath and Renaissance man. As the founder and CEO of VISIONREIMAGINE®, he has empowered over 18,000 creators worldwide by seamlessly blending technology and artistry. An accomplished artist, singer, songwriter, and creative producer, Sirio has developed innovative AI platforms like LONOvm and TalkTune, showcasing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in business and the arts. Rooted in his Albanian heritage, Sirio's work transcends cultural boundaries, aiming to redefine global perceptions of creativity and innovation. His philosophical approach to entrepreneurship emphasizes the synergy between human creativity and technological advancement. Through initiatives like #createwithoutlimits, he invites others to join him in reimagining the possibilities at the intersection of art and technology.

Victoria Gracie

Student Researcher, Fashion Model, Author, and Body Image Expert

Victoria Gracie is a research trainee at the Brain, Body, and Perception lab, a clinical neuroscience laboratory in CAMH and Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Her academic interests focus on the etiology and neurobiological basis of BDD. Outside of academia, Gracie is a fashion model and a Miss Canada top 8 finalist, expanding her work in body image to the fashion industry. Her story of becoming a changemaker has been showcased on national television and in publications internationally. Gracie is also an award-winning TEDx speaker and the founder of NGO, BodyIMG. She is a student affiliate of the American Psychological Association and the Canadian Psychological Association and a member of the International OCD Foundation’s BDD Special Interest Group, the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation, and APA’s Division 40 in Clinical Neuropsychology. She is pursuing her HBSc at the University of Toronto Mississauga with a double specialist in Psychology and Exceptionality in Human Learning.