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.

Maja Prentice Theatre
3650 Dixie Road
Mississauga, Ontario, L4Y 3V9
Canada

Chukwunonso Nwabufo

Translational Pharmacologist

Chukwunonso Nwabufo is an award-winning translational pharmacologist with over seven years of drug development experience in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. He contributed to developing Remdesivir and Lenacapavir for COVID-19 and HIV treatments, respectively, and developed 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 30 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 18 peer-reviewed papers. Nwabufo serves on the Editorial Boards of Drug Metabolism Reviews and the Journal of Applied Bioanalysis. He also chaired the Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Metabolism Community of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, USA

Dr. Rafael Chiuzi

Organizational Psychologist

Dr. Rafael Chiuzi is an accomplished organizational psychologist and Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour at the University of Toronto Mississauga, where he equips future leaders with the skills to shape resilient and inclusive workplaces. Over his 20+ years career, Dr. Chiuzi has designed executive education programs that have empowered hundreds of leaders across industries to harness human potential and navigate complex organizational dynamics.

Keisha Lerum

Roman History and Anthropology Student

Keisha Lerum is a student of anthropology and classical history, specializing in Ancient Roman society, identity, and cultural diffusion within the provinces as seen in architecture. Her broader research examines identity formation in the context of liminality. Keisha’s talk delves into Roman stoicism, which she has been practicing for over six years. Initially influenced by the teachings of Epictetus, her approach has since incorporated insights from other Roman Stoic philosophers. Keisha emphasizes the importance of mental discipline, the dichotomy of control, and voluntary discomfort for managing passions and alleviating emotional suffering. Through her studies, she investigates how ancient societies faced the same fundamental realities as the modern world, showcasing these parallels across different cultural manifestations.

Leo Chan

Chief Innovation Igniter & Coach

Leo Chan is an innovation expert, keynote speaker, and LEGO®️ SERIOUS PLAY®️ trainer & facilitator on a mission to unleash innovation in everyone. As the Chief Innovation Igniter at Abound Innovation Inc., he has helped organizations— from nonprofits to Fortune 500s—unlock their employees’ full innovative potential. With 55 U.S. patents and 20+ years of experience, he’s taught over 35,000 professionals worldwide. He’s also a LinkedIn Learning Instructor. Leo’s approach to teaching innovation is approachable, practical, fun, playful, and most importantly, impactful. His infectious energy and passion both inspire and equip participants to be empowered to make change.

Martin DeSouza

Entrepreneur

Martin DeSouza is a dynamic entrepreneur in digital marketing and personal development, based in Toronto, Canada. At 32, he has built a diverse career, merging his interests in business, financial technology, and personal growth. Drawing from a background in competitive sports, Martin excels in leadership, system-building, and mindset development. He has helped entrepreneurs and thought leaders scale to 7-figure businesses and has launched a media company that enabled him to work and travel across 30+ countries. As co-founder of an AI-driven marketing agency, Martin empowers personal brands, businesses, and non-profits with cutting-edge content marketing 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.