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).

Scotch Plains - Fanwood High School
667 Westfield Road
Scotch Plains, New Jersey, 07076
United States

Allison Koller

Allison has been with CBX since its inception. As Executive Creative Director, she is responsible for providing creative inspiration, vision and strategic guidance for the design team.Her work has been recognized by the creative industry through numerous awards.

Amanda Vargas

Amanda is the founder of Cabin Row Kitchens, a local business that exclusively sources their food from certified organic and grass-fed farms in the tristate area. She believes in the healing power of diet change for those battling chronic diseases.

Chris Cho

Chris Cho considers himself to be an unparalleled authority within the world of standardized test preparation. He founded his business Cho Educators in 2004, and since then, he has taught live sessions to tens of thousands of students.

Colby Angus Black

Colby Black has spent 16 years working in advertising. Don’t hold that against him. He also writes a little bit, does a little bit of comedy and starts things like a happy hour for curiosity called Renaissance Person.

Ellen Jorgensen

Biologist and community science advocate

Ellen Jorgensen is a molecular biologist and a passionate advocate of citizen science. She attended Columbia University and New York University, earning her doctorate in Molecular Biology. Her research interests have encompassed such diverse areas as free radicals in disease, DNA fingerprinting, virus protein structure/function relationships, and cancer biomarkers. She has held a variety of research & development positions in the biotechnology industry, and was the founding Scientific Program Director for the Sabin Vaccine Institute. From 2001 to 2009 she directed a comprehensive program to develop early detection biomarkers of lung cancer, integrating data from studies utilizing high-density expression arrays, proteomics, phosphomics, and laser scanning cytometry. In 2009 she returned to the nonprofit sphere by co-founding Genspace NYC, the world's first community biotechnology laboratory.

Katherine Schug

Founder of TeenFAAB

Katherine Schug is 16 years old and a sophomore in high school. She plays violin and clarinet and loves to draw. She is severely allergic to dairy, eggs, and nuts and creates change via her website, teenfaab.com. Teen FAAB (Food Allergies & Anti-Bullying) provides support and advice to teens. Her website is dedicated towards education and spreading awareness of food allergies. 15 million Americans have food allergies and about every three minutes, an allergic reaction sends someone to the emergency department. Katherine has spoken at various conferences at locations such as Las Vegas and Washington D.C. She is the Teen Advisor for FAACT (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team) and FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education). She is also the Youth Ambassador for Bystander Revolution.

Martin Sweeney

Advisor at Behavioral Insights Team North America

Martin is an Advisor at the Behavioral Insights Team (BIT), a social purpose company that applies behavioral science – the study of what makes people take action and why – to government programs and services. Under the What Works Cities initiative, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Martin works on projects in priority areas of US cities. Prior to joining BIT, Martin worked as a Research Analyst at Innovations for Poverty Action, analyzing data from randomized controlled trials in developing countries with research topics ranging from health behavior and social protection to microfinance and financial literacy. Martin holds a BA with honors from Middlebury College with majors in Economics and Environmental Studies. As an undergraduate, Martin interned in the Commissioner’s Office at the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Martin is also an SPFHS graduate, class of ’09.

Sydney Mills

Sydney Mills is junior in in high school. Besides chemistry and math, she has a great interest in drawing, and spends as much time as she can studying and practicing it.

Thomas Falconer

Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer for B • OUT

Thomas Falconer has over 20 years experience crafting digital, social, and content strategy for some of the web’s biggest brands and startups. He is currently the Director of Content Strategy on the IBM team at Ogilvy and Mather, and teaches in the Integrated Marketing Masters Program at NYU. Thomas is Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer for B • OUT, a big-tent all-inclusive place where the full LGBTQ community can connect, create, thrive, and have fun, safely. He lives in New York City.

Toby Waldman

Toby Waldman is a high school student who has experienced firsthand the impact of music on those with autism.

Vincent Racaniello

Columbia University Higgins Professor of Microbiology & Immunology

Vincent Racaniello has done laboratory research on viruses for over 30 years. Following on his belief that scientists must communicate their work to the public, he has co-authored a virology textbook, taught virology, distributed videocasts of his lectures online, written a blog about viruses, and produced podcasts on viruses, parasites, and bacteria. His goal is to be Earth’s virology Professor.