TEDxYouth@Omaha is an independently organized TEDx event. TEDxYouth@Omaha is especially for high school students. As a part of the global TED community, we connect locally to explore the ideas and situations that affect our cultures, environments, and minds.

Hixson-Lied Auditorium - Creighton University
602 N 20th Street
Harper Center
Omaha, Nebraska, 68178
United States

Jorge Zuniga

Director of 3D Research & Innovation Laboratory

Dr. Jorge Zuniga is the director of the 3D Research & Innovation Laboratory, and co-director of the Human Movement Laboratory. His main research interests include evaluation of muscle function, neurophysiology, and development of low-cost 3D printed prosthetics. Zuniga developed a 3D printed prosthetic hand for children named Cyborg Beast, named one of the best 5 inventions of 2014 by MSN.com.

Patricia Kearns

CEO and physical therapist

Patricia Kearns joined QLI in 2001 as a physical therapist and was promoted to President and CEO in 2011. The organization has re-created the way rehabilitation was delivered to young adults who have suffered brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. Kearns and her team serve young adults from across the nation in over 35 different states, and are proud to serve some of our most severely injured servicemen and women. QLI has been recognized as the #1 Best Place to Work in Omaha five times, including most recently in 2015.

Sam Troia

Mental health advocate

Sam Troia coordinated a program called Be the Light, an organization working to tear down the stigma behind mental illness. He wants to bridge the gap between physical health and mental health and treat both during therapy. Troia is currently enrolled in Creighton's Occupational Therapy Program. He wants to work with patients who have had traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and many different neurological disorders to return them to the activities they once loved to do before their accident.

Shonna Dorsey

Managing Director for Interface: the Web School

Shonna Dorsey is a cofounder and the Managing Director for Interface: the Web School. Her career includes training facilitation, project management and web development. Shonna is a volunteer web developer at Nelson Mandela Elementary, which she provides as a service to the community.