What if failure isn't the end of the story, but the beginning of something extraordinary? In this inspiring talk, aerospace researcher Marwa Yacouti explores how unexpected challenges can spark breakthroughs. Drawing on personal experiences and iconic engineering moments like Apollo 13, she blends emotional storytelling with insights from high-stakes design and materials science to reveal how anomalies, the moments we often fear, can fuel creativity, resilience, and human potential. Marwa Yacouti is is a Ph.D. candidate in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, who helps make materials safer, smarter, and more reliable, especially when failure isn’t an option. Marwa uses advanced computational modeling and artificial intelligence to better understand and design high performance materials. Her research has led to breakthroughs in predicting stress and failure in complex composites, critical for industries like aerospace, where safety and precision are non-negotiable. Marwa’s journey spans three continents and multiple disciplines shaping her unique perspective on solving problems under pressure. Her work has been recognized nationally, earning her the Trailblazing Young Researcher Award from Caltech, the Rising Star in Computational and Data Sciences honor from the Oden Institute, and the IEEE Women in Computing Services Award. A passionate advocate for women in STEM, Marwa believes that innovation often begins with the unexpected. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

If you could talk to a loved one after they’ve died, would you? In this emotional and deeply personal talk, a minister-turned-AI-researcher shares stories from the hospital bedside and explores how new technologies like griefbots are changing the way we face death. This talk explores how cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence are opening new possibilities for remembrance, storytelling, and human connection. Rev. Dr. Dylan Thomas Doyle is a User-Experience Researcher, AI Policy Analyst, and ordained Minister focused on making emerging technologies safer, fairer, and more human-centered. He combines expertise in algorithmic fairness, AI governance, and emotional well-being design to develop ethical, actionable solutions for high-risk tech platforms. Dylan’s work spans from designing online bereavement support tools to analyzing how AI systems impact vulnerable communities in real-world settings. With a Ph.D. in Information Science and industry experience at companies like Yahoo! and Verizon Media, Dylan brings both rigorous research and hands-on product insight. His background as a Unitarian Universalist parish minister and interfaith hospital chaplain and coalition builder in responsible tech uniquely positions him to ask not just what we can build with AI—but what we should. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if we could program life the way we program computers? Carolus Vitalis reveals how generative AI is already crafting new DNA blueprints to heal disease, battle climate change, and even redesign entire ecosystems. Fueled by a personal connection to cancer and a lifelong wonder for life’s code, he shares how a new biological revolution is already rewriting the future of life itself. Carolus Vitalis is a Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder and a National Science Foundation Fellow. His research merges artificial intelligence and synthetic biology to design functional DNA sequences, accelerating the development of therapies and biotechnology. Originally from Chile, he earned advanced degrees in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, bringing a global and interdisciplinary perspective to his work. He has authored peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and open- source tools used in labs worldwide. A passionate educator and speaker, he is committed to making biology programmable, accessible, and a force of healing. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In his inspiring TEDx talk, Dr. Matthew King shares a deeply personal journey—from childhood trauma and ancestral resilience to surviving Stage IV cancer—showing how individual empowerment can lead to global transformation. He explores how reimagining capitalism, through one choice, one act, and one person at a time, can drive social change, create equitable systems, and build a more sustainable and connected world for future generations. Dr. Matthew King is an author, speaker, and explorer who has completed learning expeditions in over 45 countries. A former U.S. Presidental Management Fellow, U.S. Department of Commerce Bronze Medal recipient, and Marshall Memorial Fellow with the German Marshall Fund, he has worked with governments, think tanks, and global institutions on environmental and social challenges. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and has been featured by the BBC, Earth Island Journal, Euronews, NBC Universal, Mongabay, affiliates of ABC and CBS, podcasts, and TEDx. A cancer survivor, Matthew's experience radically reshaped his path and revealed his true purpose: to create, inspire, and empower. Through his nonprofit, Our COMMON Foundation, he supports social entrepreneurs, artists, and conservationists who are making a meaningful impact. His writing and speaking help others reconnect with what matters most—nature, truth, and living aligned with their inner compass. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What would happen if your mind’s eye was completely blind? In this insightful talk, discover how one person's experience with aphantasia—a condition where the brain doesn't voluntarily generate mental images—shapes their daily life, learning habits, and interactions. Get a glimpse into the fascinating ways the brain adapts, and how embracing this unique perspective can lead to a deeper understanding of yourself and others. Kylie Sambirsky is a recent graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder with a major in Psychology, where her academic journey has deeply fueled her curiosity about the mind and human experience. With her background in psychological research, Kylie has cultivated a nuanced understanding of how perception and cognition shape our identities and experiences. The discovery of her aphantasia in 2022 sparked a deeper exploration into how her brain processes and interprets the world, leading her to connect with others who share similar experiences. Through her ongoing research and conversations, Kylie has gained unique insights into the varying ways people visualize and how aphantasia influences personal development. Her ability to blend academic dialogue with personal reflection positions her as a thoughtful voice in the field of psychology, preparing her for her future endeavors within the field. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

If you had to guess, how many of us are immigrants? Immigration has been a fundamental and key aspect of humanity since the beginning of history. Despite a negative and false narrative on immigration, this talk will answer this and many other questions to shed light on the beauty and impact of immigration. Rodrigo Salgado Vallarino is a first-generation college student pursuing a major in international affairs and economics. Rodrigo moved to the United States at the age of thirteen and has experienced firsthand the challenges and beauty of immigration. As an immigrant living in the United States, Rodrigo has had the opportunity to experience and explore the unique aspects that make immigration beautiful and impactful for immigrants in foreign countries and those countries themselves. He has been working since the age of thirteen in a number of industries, supporting his family, and has learned and adapted successfully to a foreign culture. Proficient in three languages, with plenty of experience in a number of fields, and big dreams in his mind, Rodrigo is pursuing a career on the international stage, working to promote development, immigration, and diversity across the globe. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx