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).

Lindquist Commons
9 Junction St
Dover, Massachusetts, 02030
United States

Dr. Eman Akam-Baxter

Biomedical researcher and educator specializing in molecular imaging and fibrosis.

Dr. Eman Akam-Baxter is a biomedical researcher and educator specializing in molecular imaging and fibrosis. Currently serving as an Investigator in the Cardiology Division at Massachusetts General Hospital and as an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School, she focuses on developing imaging tools to study fibrotic heart and lung diseases. Dr. Akam-Baxter completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Arizona in 2016. She then pursued postdoctoral training at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at MGH. Beyond her research, Dr. Akam-Baxter is passionate about mentoring, outreach, and the advancement and equal representation of historically marginalized communities in STEM fields. She co-founded the Melanated and Dedicated (MaD) Scientist outreach program, a program focused on fostering STEM-identity in Boston-area youth. Dr. Akam-Baxter is the recipient of the New England Educational Opportunity Association’s 2019 Rising Star award.

Freddy Reiber

Third year PhD student in the Computing & Data Science program at Boston University, specializing in conjoining organized labor and technology.

Freddy Reiber is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Computing & Data Science program at Boston University, advised by the fantastic Dr. Allison McDonald. His research centers on the intersections of labor and technology with a particular focus on how organized labor responds to rapid technological change. He investigates systemic barriers that prevent labor organizations from effectively leveraging technology and explores how tech-facilitated work can contribute to the marginalization of workers. Freddy’s broader academic interests lie in second-order questions surrounding the dynamics of technology and power, examining who technology benefits and how. He prioritizes human-driven, qualitative methods to gain deeper insights into these issues. Additionally, Freddy has engaged in research within the political economy of technology and computer science education, enriching his interdisciplinary approach.

Levon Gyulkhasyan

Visual artist and graphic novelist based in the Boston area, specializes in graphic storytelling classes at a Middlesex Sheriff’s Office jail.

A member of the Boston Comics Roundtable, Actual Art Armenia, and APBDA France, Levon holds a Ph.D. in engineering and is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP). He is a teacher and illustrator at the Russian School of Mathematics, where he blends education with visual storytelling. He is the creator of Jumbo Loop Comics; 90-foot, ring-shaped comic strips designed for public installation. These large-scale works have been exhibited outdoors in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Angoulême, engaging diverse audiences through immersive art. At Lesley University’s Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE), he led a 5-year interactive project where visitors were invited to draw on massive comic strips, collaboratively shaping evolving narratives. Levon also conducts weekly “constraint comics” workshops in Yerevan and Cambridge, MA, exploring experimental storytelling through creative limitations. He is the author of three graphic novels and numerous comic stories featured in anthologies.

Lingyi Xu

PhD student in Computing & Data Sciences at Boston University, specializing in AI in healthcare.

Lingyi Xu is a PhD student in Computing & Data Sciences at Boston University, where she uses artificial intelligence to tackle real-world healthcare challenges, like catching lung cancer early and helping researchers understand brain diseases better. She started out in finance coding stock models, but during the COVID- 19 pandemic, she saw firsthand how delayed diagnoses affected real people. That experience, combined with a growing interest in AI and health, led her to change direction.

Mikael Petrosyan

Life sciences strategist with a background in pharmaceutical science and an MBA from MIT Sloan.

Mikael has over fifteen years of international experience spanning the pharmaceutical industry and strategic consulting. In his leadership roles, Mikael led the commercialization of new therapies across Europe, bringing high-quality medicines to millions. As a consultant, he advised top twenty biopharma companies on global drug development and launch strategies. Mikael has been recognized for his innovation and impact, receiving a Platinum Award for best cardiology launch and was named Best Head of Area for fostering a culture of excellence. Today, he continues to bridge strategy, data, and human insight to help companies make better decisions in an AI-enabled world. He also serves as an MIT Educational Counselor supporting undergraduate admissions, and actively mentors startups as a judge and advisor with MassChallenge, Nucleate, MassInnovation, and MIT programs. Mikael is deeply passionate about helping the next generation navigate decisions with purpose, curiosity, and confidence.