Imagine if you were asked to harm your pet in the name of scientific progress. This scenario exposes the contradictions in how we treat other animals: some we cherish as pets, some we consign to the feedlot and others we design for research. Entrenched in scientific tradition, academic culture teaches students to view animal use as a necessary evil for scientific progress. But how much of it is truly necessary?
This talk explores the hidden costs of our reliance on animal models—from the emotional distress they cause students and researchers to the missed opportunities in developing alternatives with greater relevance to public health. Emphasising the role of students and the rise of cutting-edge techniques like organoids and organ-on-chips, the talk offers an optimistic vision for a future of research where scientific and medical breakthroughs are achieved without the toll of animal suffering.
Caius Gibeily is fascinated by how our brains shape who we are. Now pursuing his PhD at Emory and the Marcus Autism Center, Caius uses neuroimaging and machine-learning techniques to explore the intersection of brain development, behavior, and autism. His scientific journey has taken him from studying locomotor neural circuits in Drosophila at the University of St Andrews, to investigating how serotonin shapes early brain circuits at the University of Oxford, where he gained his masters in neuroscience. There, he also contributed to piloting an organ-on-a-chip model of Parkinson’s disease. 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
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- 10:28Why Serendipity Might Be the Real Key to Success | Dennis Geelen | TEDxOshawaDennis suggests that happy accidents or serendipity plays a role in many of the success stories we hear. What if we could prepare to be ready for when serendipity strikes? References quoted in this talk: Title: How World War II led to the invention of super glueDate: July 30, 2021Link: https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2021/07/30/how-world-war-ii-led-to-the-invention-of-super-glue/ Project Failure Percentage Title: Project Management Statistics: Trends and Common Mistakes in 2023 Date: Dec 1, 2023 Link: https://pm360consulting.ie/project-management-statistics-trends-and-common-mistakes-in-2023/ Serendipity Definition “the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.” Source: Oxford Dictionary Link: https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198609810.001.0001/ The Microwave Invention Story Source: Popular Mechanics Title: Who Invented the Microwave, and How? Well, It Started With an Accident Date: March 24, 2023 Link: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a19567/how-the-microwave-was-invented-by-accident/ Post-it Notes Invention Story Source: CBC Radio Title: Inventor of Post-it Note adhesive made something people didn't know they needed, says wife Date: May 14, 2021 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.6026987/inventor-of-post-it-note-adhesive-made-something-people-didn-t-know-they-needed-says-wife-1.6027098 Superglue Invention Story Source: Military Times Title: How World War II led to the invention of super glue Date: July 30, 2021 Link: https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2021/07/30/how-world-war-ii-led-to-the-invention-of-super-glue/ The Slinky, The Popsicle, and Play-Doh, and Potato chips. Source: History.com Title: 7 Momentous Inventions Discovered by Accident Date: January 10, 2023 Link: https://www.history.com/news/accidental-inventions Penicillin Invention Story Source: Science Museum Title: How was penicillin developed? Date: Feb 23, 2021 Link: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/how-was-penicillin-developed#:~:text=In%201928%20Dr%20Alexander%20Fleming,chemical%20that%20could%20kill%20bacteria. Sarah Blakely Backstory Source: Britannica Title: Sara Blakely: American inventor and entrepreneur Date: April 7, 2025 Link: https://www.britannica.com/money/Sara-Blakely Dennis is a bestselling author, speaker, and coach who helps solopreneurs turn ideas into impactful businesses. With a corporate background in leadership, strategy, and customer experience, Dennis transformed his own layoff into an opportunity to build a thriving consulting business and has written four books, including The Accidental Solopreneur. 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
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