Safwat Saleem uses satire and art to bring to light stories of adversity.

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove is the COVID-19 Technical Lead of the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the Head of the Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses Unit in the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme.

Christina Tosi is the award-winning chef and owner of Milk Bar.

Bertrand Piccard circumnavigated the Earth in a hot-air balloon. Now he wants to circle it in an airplane powered only by solar energy.

Carolyn Jones creates projects that point our attention towards issues of global concern.

Concert pianist and composer Jennifer Lin was only 14 when she performed at TED, drawing tears with her extraordinary improvisation.

Young inventor Richard Turere invented "lion lights," an elegant way to protect his family's cattle from lion attacks.

James Patten, a TED Fellow, imagines new ways for us to play with computers.

Dentist-turned-photographer Phil Borges documents the world's disappearing cultures, capturing portraits of exiled Tibetan monks and many of the world’s embattled tribal and indigenous cultures.

Matt Beane is an Assistant Professor in the Technology Management Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Research Affiliate with MIT's Institute for the Digital Economy.

A writer and a part-time cyborg, Rebecca Knill embraces the humor in her bionic journey while balancing life as a deaf person with cochlear implants which enable her to hear.

TED Senior Fellow Edsel Salvana is studying the genetics of HIV, developing an affordable test for HIV drug resistance and fighting the spread of misinformation around vaccines and immunization.

At Novalia, Kate Stone and her team use ordinary printing presses to manufacture interactive electronics, which combine touch-sensitive ink technology and printed circuits into unique and cost-effective products.

Dr. Romina Libster investigates influenza and other respiratory viruses, searching for ways to most effectively keep viruses from spreading.

With his team, Yoav Medan is developing a tool for incision-less surgery via focused ultrasound.

Philosopher Thomas Pogge wants to ensure medications get to those who need it most. He has published on a wide range of subjects such as global justice and human rights.

When MIT-trained mechanical engineer Jamie Heywood discovered that his younger brother was diagnosed with the terminal illness ALS, he focused all his energy on founding revolutionary healthcare initiatives to help his brother and others like him.

Although a highly-accomplished conventional doctor, David Agus has embraced the future of medicine and is constantly exploring ways that new technologies can help in the fight against cancer.

Zaria Forman uses visual art to connect people with the impact of climate change.

Heidi Boisvert harnesses the power of popular culture, emerging technology and neuroscience to ignite culture change.

Kathryn Bouskill's work explores how our health is shaped as much by our biology as it is by our behaviors and cultural contexts.

David R. Liu leads a research group that combines chemistry and evolutionary techniques to create revolutionary new medicines.

Michael Shermer debunks myths, superstitions and urban legends -- and explains why we believe them. Along with publishing Skeptic Magazine, he's author of Why People Believe Weird Things and The Mind of the Market.

Most people look at cardboard tubes and see something fit for the recycling bin. But architect Shigeru Ban turns them into beautiful buildings.

James Cameron is the director of Avatar, Titanic, Terminator, The Abyss and many other blockbusters. While his outsize films push the bounds of technology, they're always anchored in human stories with heart and soul.

TED Fellow Christopher Ategeka is on a mission to ensure a sustainable future for humanity and the planet.

Manal al-Sharif advocates for women’s right to drive, male guardianship annulment, and family protection in Saudi Arabia.

Magatte Wade creates jobs in Africa -- and calls attention to the obstacles to job creation on the continent.

Pete Ouko champions access to justice for inmates and the indolent in Africa.

By day, Dan Clay is a partner at a brand and innovation consultancy. His more well-known persona is Carrie Dragshaw.