Can we invent safer chemistry? Trace pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other everyday chemicals escape into wastewater, eventually making it into drinking water. These compounds are introducing toxicity to ecosystems and in some cases disrupting the endocrine systems of aquatic creatures. Even with wastewater treatment, drinking water supplies and food sources for humans and animals alike are facing contamination. Our solution sets to remove pollutants often involve using more water and chemicals to wash away or dilute problematic compounds. Natural systems have a more efficient approach. By mimicking nature, chemists have developed TAML catalysts to copy and intensify the natural metabolism of chemicals at a deployable scale. In a remarkably easy-to-apply technology, tiny amounts of TAML together with small peroxide concentrations create a reaction that can safely neutralize numerous wastewater pollutants in proportionally vast quantities of water. By fundamentally changing the approach, this new chemistry method has many potential applications and opportunities for global scale and impact. Terry Collins is the principal inventor of bio-inspired TAML activators, the most technically proficient homogeneous oxidation catalysts across both chemistry and biology. He created and followed for 40+ years an iterative oxidation catalyst design protocol that yielded the first TAML activator after 15 years; 30 years on, the protocol continues to advance TAML technical performances for myriad applications. Collins is the Creator-Founder of Sudoc, LLC, the global ambition, highly awarded CMU spinoff company that is scaling TAMLs commercially. Terry Collins taught the first university course at the Chemistry/Sustainability interface, iterating it over 30+ years for understanding and fixing unsustainability within the chemical enterprise. He sees endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as a climate change scale existential threat and spends much of his time working through teaching, research, public service, and entrepreneurship to reduce EDC contamination of people and the environment. 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

How do you define a happy and successful career? Is it just about having a top-earning job, climbing the corporate ladder, and getting a highly respected position? Are there other ways to attain success while following your passions and dreams? Hailing from the Philippines, Mrs. Carell Henry, a full-time freelancer, pianist, KG music teacher at Seisen International School, piano pedagogue, author of piano method book for children, and music education advocate will share her journey and what it takes to be a full-time freelancer in the competitive field of the arts. Her talk will uncover what freelancing is and is not, and how important it is to have grit in pursuing an unconventional career amidst societal pressures - a rewarding path that empowers independence, creativity, and growth. How do you define a happy and successful career? Is it just about having a top-earning job, climbing the corporate ladder, and getting a highly respected position? Are there other ways to attain success while following your passions and dreams? Hailing from the Philippines, Mrs. Carell Henry, a full-time freelancer, pianist, KG music teacher at Seisen International School, piano pedagogue, author of piano method book for children, and music education advocate will share her journey and what it takes to be a full-time freelancer in the competitive field of the arts. Her talk will uncover what freelancing is and is not, and how important it is to have grit in pursuing an unconventional career amidst societal pressures - a rewarding path that empowers independence, creativity, and growth. 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

Jayoung is an 8th grader from South Korea, and just like any other teenagers, she is “obsessed” with her phone. Having witnessed firsthand the shift in how we consume content, Jayoung will address the pressing issue of our decreasing attention spans. Through her personal experience and in her worldviews, she will discuss how everyone is affected by the way they consume content. From analyzing the different social trends and its impact, to planned interactions between her and the audience, she challenges the audience to reflect on themselves and shares practical ways to reclaim their attention spans. Jayoung is an 8th grader from South Korea, and just like any other teenagers, she is “obsessed” with her phone. Having witnessed firsthand the shift in how we consume content, Jayoung will address the pressing issue of our decreasing attention spans. Through her personal experience and in her worldviews, she will discuss how everyone is affected by the way they consume content. From analyzing the different social trends and its impact, to planned interactions between her and the audience, she challenges the audience to reflect on themselves and shares practical ways to reclaim their attention spans. 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

You don’t need more goals. You need a reason. Rohaan Zuberi shares a talk for anyone feeling lost, stuck, or unfulfilled — whether you have found success or are still searching for purpose. Rohaan shares the Obsession to Impact framework: a practical way to use your passion to find clarity, take action, and build a life of meaning and fulfillment. Rohaan Zuberi is a Data Analytics Team Lead, Mentor, and Life Coach with a mission to help 1 million people turn their ambitions into legacies that matter. With over a decade of experience and a Master’s in Technology Innovation Management, Rohaan blends his professional expertise with a passion for helping people grow in ways that impact their lives. He believes success isn’t just about achievements - it’s about leaving a lasting impact and guiding people to align their actions with what truly matters. 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

We are seeing more people who are discovering that they're Autistic later into adulthood. This is not because of an epidemic, but because we as a society have more access to education, information, resources, and research. Patrick Casale dismantles ableist misconceptions and helps to validate and affirm an existence that is so often misunderstood. Patrick Casale is an AuDHD mental health therapist, Neurodivergent business coach, and Keynote Speaker who leads retreats, summits, and coaching programs, helping entrepreneurs work through impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and paralyzing perfectionism, while embracing their authenticity. He has coined the phrase, Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway™.He is the founder of All Things Private Practice LLC, and the host of the “All Things Private Practice Podcast, and the Divergent Conversations Podcast.” Patrick also owns a group psychotherapy practice in Asheville, NC. 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 does strength really look like in fatherhood? In this compassionate talk, Todd Duermyer opens a conversation about paternal mental health, often overlooked yet crucial to family wellbeing. Drawing on research and personal experience, Todd speaks to the silent struggles many dads face, including anxiety and postpartum depression. He calls for a cultural shift that uplifts fathers, supports open dialogue, and redefines strength as vulnerability and presence. Todd has been happily married to his wife Kristena for over 22 years, and they adopted their 2 kids (Chris and Kynleigh) through the foster care system. He joined SIU in 2019 after 13 years in the television broadcast industry. As a Cinematographer/Creative Video Producer for SIU’s University Communications & Marketing, he creates videos showcasing SIU on various platforms, leads a team of students and Graduate Assistants in video production, and is also one of the licensed drone pilots for the campus. Since 2022, Todd has served on the Civil Service Council, contributing to scholarships, fundraising, and honorary degree recommendations. 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