Why is it that children of immigrants struggle with their mental health substantially more than their white counterparts? Why is it riskier for them to open up? Most importantly, how can they revive their mental well-being and safely be emotionally vulnerable?Aryana Altaha is a 17-year-old Iranian-American, teen social media sensation, author, and award-winning actor, who weaves her experience with mental illness into viral storytelling. Since age 15, Aryana accumulated a combined audience of 90,000+ supporters with millions of monthly views on her social media. She shares scientifically-proven mental health advice & provides a safe space for others to be vulnerable. Additionally, she self-published her mental health poetry book “am i too broken?” at age 16 and continues to write. Through her publications, motivational talks, and advocacy, Aryana educates others on mental illness, combats deeply-rooted stigmas, and shows others how to truly live instead of simply survive. 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 this TEDx talk, biomedical engineer Dr. Antonia Pontiki shares her transformative journey from a young athlete to an innovator in medical education and healthcare technology. Her journey from an athlete to a curious student fascinated by human anatomy to a biomedical engineer developing life-changing technologies illustrates the impact of a strong educational foundation. Antonia Pontiki’s work with 3D printing has enabled the creation of custom rib implants for lung cancer patients, helping them regain comfort and stability after invasive surgery.Dr. Pontiki emphasizes the revolutionary impact of 3D printing in medical training and patient care. This technology, she explains, provides lifelike anatomical models that eliminate the limitations and ethical challenges of cadaver-based learning. By offering hands-on, realistic training tools, 3D printing enhances the learning experience, giving trainees the confidence to hone their skills and improve patient outcomes. She envisions a future where accessible, practical education fuels healthcare innovation, reminding us that investing in education is a powerful means of building a healthier, more resilient world for everyone.Through this lens, Antonia Pontiki discusses the role of education and a collaborative learning environment in nurturing curiosity and sparking innovation. She highlights that when we equip students with the right tools, resources, and mentors, we fuel growth, foster resilience and inspire the next generation, empowering them to become pioneers in their fields, driven to solve real-world challenges and push boundaries in healthcare. Dr. Antonia Pontiki is a Biomedical Engineer and expert in the field of additive manufacturing for healthcare applications. Currently working as a Teaching Fellow in Biomedical Engineering, and Deputy Director of the MSc Clinical Sciences at the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences at King’s College London, she is dedicated to advancing education and healthcare accessibility. Antonia’s research centers on 3D printing and novel manufacturing techniques for surgical applications, including the development of patient-specific prostheses and simulators for surgical training. She has developed and clinically validated a method for creating 3D patient-specific chest wall prostheses, earning a recognition in Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science & Healthcare. Antonia combines her expertise in engineering and her passion for healthcare to develop innovative, low-cost solutions to improve patient lives. Originating from Athens, Greece, Antonia obtained her Doctorate and BEng in Biomedical Engineering from King’s College London. Having lived and worked in n the United States, Ireland, and now London, UK, she utilises her diverse experiences to contribute better healthcare and education. 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

Each of us has the power to do great things! As Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” His faith and moral vision galvanized mass movements that achieved justice and equality for millions. My talk explores how all of us can find these same resources within ourselves to advance the important causes in which we believe. Roger Michel is the Executive Director of the Institute for Digital Archaeology (IDA), a UK-based NGO that operates globally, undertaking a broad range of heritage projects, many of which employ novel imaging and fabrication technologies. Frequently working in conflict zones and post-conflict environments, the IDA specializes in the reconstruction/restoration of heritage assets, both physical and intangible.Notable recent projects include reconstructions of the Triumphal Arch of Palmyra, the statue of Allat, the Parthenon sculptures held by the British Museum, endangered Syrian storytelling traditions, and the olfactory experience of spice-rich ancient Ethiopia. The IDA’s principal partners are national governments, the United Nations, and major museums and universities.The IDA has been the subject of cover stories in hundreds of magazines and newspapers, including Newsweek, National Geographic, and the New York Times. Its monumental scale reconstructions have been displayed around the world, including at the United Nations in NYC and Geneva, Trafalgar Square, the US Capitol, the G7 in Florence and the Venice Biennale.Mr. Michel previously served as a senior prosecutor in the United States and was on the faculty at Boston University for 25 years. He lectures regularly on heritage protection policy and is the author or co-author of dozens of articles and books on a wide range of legal and historical topics. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Oxford and is an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford. 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 many places around the world, taking a breath already means risking your life. This talk uncovers the harsh reality of air pollution and its deadly impact on health. It's a call for immediate action to claim our right to clean air and protect future generations. Dr Maria P. Neira is the Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization. Prior to that she served as Under-Secretary of Health and President of the Spanish Food Safety Agency. Dr Neira began her career as a medical coordinator working for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). She then spent several years working in different African countries during armed conflicts. Dr Neira is a Medical Doctor by training, specialized in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases in Paris, France, Master of Public Health and a University Diploma in Human Nutrition, Epidemic Preparedness and Crisis Management. Among many distinctions, she has been awarded the Médaille de “L’Ordre National du Mérite” by the Government of France and received an “Extraordinary Woman” award by HM Queen Letizia of Spain. In early 2019, she was nominated among the top 100 policy influencers in health and climate change. 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

Jackie Barbieri discusses the transformative potential of human-machine teaming (HMT), and outlines how we can achieve a 1000x improvement in HMT for cognitive tasks. She highlights her experience in national security, where effective HMT is crucial for life-saving decisions. Jackie Barbieri is the Founder and CEO of Whitespace, a defense technology company developing sensemaking AI. Her experience as an intelligence analyst for the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) shaped her vision for Whitespace's Iris, an AI platform that synthesizes multi-modal remote sensing data into an answer based on a user's question. Iris is poised to revolutionize defense intelligence by serving as a virtual assistant, augmenting the capabilities of sensors, operators, and analysts to detect invisible threats instantly. 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