Theme: Breakthrough

As former President Ronald Reagan once shared, "There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.”

Whether they are developing technology for the needle-less deliverance of large molecule drugs or crafting a new discipline that bridges the gap between public relations and social good, the steadfast appetite for breaking through is the thread that unites our speakers. It is our hope that by sharing the ideas of passionate people in our community, we will spark the same energy in every TEDxUF attendee.

3201 Hull Road
Gainesville, Florida
United States

Sabor Latino

Sabor Latino is the official dance team of the Hispanic Student Association at the University of Florida. The team performs at several local events, including talent shows and the annual pep rally Gator Growl.

Standing Room Only

Standing Room Only is an a cappella group at the University of Florida. They are known for their renditions of both jazz and contemporary music.

Ann Christiano

Ann Christiano is a public relations professor and the Frank and Betsy Karel Endowed Chair in Public Interest Communications. Public Interest Communications is an organization or group of organization taking on issues bigger than themselves. The organizations hope to enact social change, connecting with individuals and using tactics by public relations professionals to help achieve those ends. Ann curates the Frank gathering at the University of Florida, which brings together professional communicators and interested students to collaborate with the mission of “obsessively connecting people who speak for the greater good."

Chris Hass

Dr. Hass is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida where he directs one of the most dynamic clinical-research programs in Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders in the country. Dr. Hass is also Faculty in the internationally recognized Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestortion where he co-leads the interdisciplinary Progressive Supranuclear Palsy & Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders clinic, a one of a kind partnership between the University of Florida’s College of Medicine’s and the College of Health and Human Performance.

Jill Sonke

Jill Sonke is a dancer and a researcher. She is the director of the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine, and Assistant Director of the UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine program. Throughout her career she has sought to explore the relationships between creativity, meaning, and health through programs that bring the arts to hospitals, to help people living with challenges such as Sickle Cell and Parkinson’s diseases.

Juan Gilbert

Dr. Juan Gilbert is a computer scientist, researcher, inventor and educator. A staunch advocate of diversity in the computing sciences field, Gilbert has been recognized by professional engineering organizations and the United States government for his successful efforts to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in the computing disciplines. Juan and his team have also created a breakthrough technology furthering equality in voter representation.

Mac Stone

Mac Stone, a conservation photographer from Gainesville, Florida, is rewriting the negative narrative that is so commonly tied to the swamps and wetlands of the Southeast. A globally renowned photographer, Stone is a fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers and is the author of Everglades: America's Wetland.

Michael Morris

Dr. Michael Morris is the Academic Director for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He founded the Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in South Africa program in 1997 at the University of Cape Town. His entrepreneurship programs have consistently been ranked among the top ten by US News and World Report, Fortune Small Business and the Princeton Review/ Entrepreneur Magazine.

Nathaniel Smith

Nathaniel Smith is a University of Florida student studying English Literature. He is known in the Gainesville community for his incredible spoken word poetry.

Rob Castellucci

The co-founder of Roomsync (an online roommate matching service), Rob Castellucci is an entrepreneur by day and salsa dancer by night. Besides just dancing salsa, he teaches it at The Gator Salsa Club where he is Co-founder and Director.

Vivian Filer

Vivian Filer is a storyteller. Mrs. Filer often shares stories of the many lessons she has gained as a lifelong resident of Gainesville during the women's rights movement, the civil rights movement, and desegregation.