Theme: Transform

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).

Hill Student Center
1400 University Blvd.
Birmingham, Alabama, 35294
United States

Ally Middleton

Student/Writer

Ally Middleton, a Neuroscience student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is a leader in Active Minds, an on campus, student-led mental health awareness organization. As a contributor to UAB’s weekly student newspaper, Kaleidoscope, she has researched and written about the effects that social media has on the self-esteem of college students. Ally’s passion lies in teaching others to find their own satisfaction through being content with who they are and what they have accomplished.

Garrett Stephens

Student

Garrett Stephens, a Political Science major with minors in Criminal Justice and International Relations, is the President of UAB’s Undergraduate Student Government Association. In addition to his role in the USGA, Garrett is currently the Lead Mentor for the Blazer Male Excellence Network and has served as the Executive Director of the Multicultural Council. His role as President of the USGA has shown him firsthand how students can organize around an issue if they are passionate about it.

Gerrie Lim

Student/Comedy Guru

Gerrie Lim is a Communications major at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, with a focus in Broadcasting. She volunteers as a Peer Educator with SafeZone at UAB within the office of Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs, teaching classes on diversity and LGBTQ topics. Gerrie recently completed an internship for Conan O’Brien during which she assisted with material for the monologue. She has written on diversity issues and the need for better representation in the entertainment industry.

Junhi Chang

Student

Junhi Chang, a native of South Korea, is studying Biomedical Engineering and Physics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a member of the Global and Community Leadership Honors College Program and the UAB Korean Undergraduate Student Association, and he serves as the President of the UAB chapter of the Society of Physics Students. Junhi believes that the eventual unification of the Korean nations is imperative for the long-term stability and well-being of not only the Korean people, but the whole of the Eastern Asian population.

Megan Evans

Student/Resiliency Advocate

Megan Evans is a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham studying Public Health. She serves as the Director of Advocacy for Timmy Global Health at UAB, which exists to advocate, serve, and fundraise in support of healthcare equality. Megan has spent years researching the process and mechanisms of resilience and the risk factors that affect coping and dealing with stressful life events. Her work strives to help others achieve better self-awareness so that they may begin their journey toward self-discovery and improvement, as well as to destigmatize high risk labels.

Michelle Nguyen

Student

Michelle Nguyen is a junior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham double majoring in Neuroscience and Philosophy, along with a minor in Public Health. She is also a member of the Early Medical School Acceptance Program and the University Honors Program. Michelle is the Founder and President of Camions of Care at UAB, a women’s health organization devoted to promoting menstrual hygiene management and empowering women through advocacy, education and service.

Rahul Gaini and Kevin Lee

Student

Rahul Gaini, a Neuroscience major, and Kevin Lee, a Philosophy major, are students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 2015, they conducted a pilot study on the effectiveness of novel anti-smoking advertisements versus current advertisements. Rahul and Kevin presented their findings at "Innohack 2015 – Birmingham’s First Healthcare Hackathon.” Their study, paired with literature on the subject, points toward a more effective method for anti-smoking campaigns and a better way to communicate with adult smokers.

Sippy Sridhar

Student/Founder of Donor to Diner

Supraja “Sippy” Sridhar studies Chemistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After being involved with food-based charities for much of her life, she founded Donor to Diner in 2013. This student organization at UAB advocates for students facing food insecurity and provides them with better access to food through donations from their peers. Sippy hopes to bring greater awareness to the relatively unknown issue of college food insecurity and engaged the wider community in finding a solution for it.