In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

VCU Student Commons
907 Floyd Ave
Commons Theater
Richmond, Virginia, 23284
United States

Dr. Rebecca Gibson

Dr. Rebecca Gibson is an Assistant Professor in the Anthropology unit of the School of World Studies at VCU. Her research interests vary from corseting and skeletons to robot/human relationships, to zombies and gender and she is particularly proud of her original course on the Anthropology of Tea. After a dozen years of trying to connect disparate symptoms, she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic collagen production disorder. She is glad to be able to share her disability journey with our community, but considers her disability to be the least interesting thing about herself. When not teaching or writing, Dr. Gibson can be found reading mystery and sci-fi novels on a pile of stuffed animals.

Dr. Shruti Syal

Dr. Shruti Syal is a systems researcher with 12 years of research experience and 10 years of teaching experience advising students on human-environment interactions in India, U.S., Canada, and Oman. She found her way to systems research through exploration of Biology, Environmental Studies, and Planning. Dr. Syal’s research expanded from studying the intersection of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) infrastructure, institutions and ‘informality’ in Delhi, India, to the study of cities as systems, and universal infrastructure access as key to enhancing their [cities’] resilience.

Dr. Somaya Albhaisi

Dr. Somaya Albhaisi is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine and currently serves as the Interim Associate Chief of Research in the Division of Hospital Medicine at VCU. As a Palestinian physician, scientist and social entrepreneur with interests in the study of liver disease, public health and innovation, she founded the Research4Life scholar program in the Department of Internal Medicine to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in academic medicine. Dr. Albhaisi seeks to advance science in Palestine and advocate for Palestinian physicians and scientists from Gaza.

Isabel Dingus

Isabel Dingus is currently an undergraduate student at VCU pursuing degrees in both Anthropology and Interior Design. As a designer, she believes that the built environment serves as a tangible reflection of a society’s ethos, values and sociopolitical narratives. For Isabel, the interaction between space and cultural principles is a key element in understanding the complex relationship between between design and cultural identities. With this understanding, she is dedicated to creating design solutions that authentically resonate with users, ensuring both functionality and cultural relevance.

Nira Harikrishnan

Nira Harikrishnan is a Senior Research Assistant at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in the International Finance division. Nira is also a leader on the Federal Reserve Education outreach team where she organizes and presents economic presentations to various high school classes. She earned her Master’s (2022) and B.S. in Economics and B.A. in Political Science (2021) at Virginia Commonwealth University. Nira is a Bharatanatyam dancer under the tutelage of Dr. Janaki Rangarajan since 2009 and has been a classically trained dancer for 18 years. She is also a classically trained Carnatic vocalist and alumnus of national award-winning A Cappella group the Notochords of VCU. During her time on the Notochords, she won Best Choreographer and Best Videographer at the 2021 Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA). Throughout every progressive step of life, art has been a constant presence and passion she hopes to continuously foster.

Sherwood Randolph

Sherwood Randolph is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, ordained minister and alum of both VCU and Virginia Union University seeks to bring about change by bridging the gap between spirituality and behavioral health. He currently serves as the Clinical Director of Developmental Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, community-embedded (adjunct) faculty for the VCU School of Social Work and an Associate Minister at the Cedar Street Baptist Church of God. Sherwood emphasizes the power to be found in community in which he enjoys membership in the National Association of Black Social Workers - Richmond chapter, National Association of Social Work, the VCU African American Alumni Council mentoring circle. Sherwood, a Richmond native, proud husband, father and son expresses great interest in the study of intergenerational trauma and looks forward to every opportunity to aid in both social and spiritual development across the generations. Two of the greatest lessons gleaned during Sherwood’s journey in which he seeks to pass forward are to trust the process and the African philosophy of Ubuntu - I am because we are!

Vivian Johns

Vivian Johns is an undergraduate student studying Biology and Psychology, and she intends to enter the medical field. As a research assistant for the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study at VCU, she works with twins in health studies. When Vivian isn’t scribing or volunteering at her rescue squad, she’s singing in the Cathedral choir on campus or volunteering for elementary school kids. Vivian forever appreciates the support of her Richmond community!