Theme: WHAT NEXT?

The future invites both excitement and uncertainty. This year’s TEDxMcMasterU conference explores the theme What’s Next?, inviting speakers and audience alike to explore the thrilling possibilities of discovery and innovation. From breakthroughs in medicine and AI to space exploration and renewable energy, this theme embraces the excitement of what lies ahead. Whether it's developing new materials or using cutting-edge technology to address global challenges, What Next? pushes us to think critically about the impact of our actions and innovations. No matter the field—biology, chemistry, engineering, arts or beyond—this theme aims to bring out curiosity and bold ideas. The future may be daunting, but it also holds promise. So, what’s next?

Psychology Complex (McMaster University)
1280 Main St.
Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8
Canada

Buvneet Madan

Women’s Health Equity Advocate, Student

Buvneet Madan is a fifth-year student in the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization program at McMaster University. She conducts research on maternal and child health at the Sloboda Lab, with a specific focus on the gut microbiome and placental function. She has also worked on health equity and policy issues in India through the George Institute for Global Health. In her TEDx talk, Buvneet challenges how menopause is viewed in both medicine and society. Rather than seeing it as an end point, she presents it as a stage of growth and neurological transformation, one that can enhance leadership and cognitive function if properly understood and supported.

Dr. Kelly Kaur

Author, Public Speaker, Educator

Dr. Kelly Kaur is a professor of English, a published author, and a recipient of the 2024 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award. Her writing has been published globally and was even selected to be preserved on the moon through a UNESCO initiative. She is also a World Championship of Public Speaking finalist. Kelly’s TEDx talk explores the future of writing in a world where artificial intelligence is increasingly prominent. She encourages people to embrace writing as a personal tool for expression and empowerment, especially in times when human voice and creativity feel more important than ever.

Dr. Obidi Ezezika

Global Health Scholar, Implementation Scientist

Dr. Obidi Ezezika is a global health scholar, implementation scientist, and Director of the Global Health and Innovation Lab at Western University. He holds a PhD in microbiology and a master’s in environmental management from Yale University. Obidi has worked extensively in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on how to deliver health innovations to underserved communities. In his talk, he proposes the creation of a High-Impact Innovations List, a tool designed to help the World Health Organization identify and prioritize medical breakthroughs that can be scaled effectively. He challenges global health leaders to think beyond invention and focus on delivery.

Dr. Saman Arfaie

Researcher, Medical Student, Pianist

Dr. Saman Arfaie is a published researcher, classically trained pianist, thought leader, and medical student. He graduated from McGill University with a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery and is starting his neurosurgery residency at the University of Western Ontario. Before this, he completed his BSc-Neurobiology, BA-Persian Literature, and double minors-chemistry & music at the University of California, Berkeley. He then conducted brain tumour research at the University of California, San Francisco Department of Neurosurgery. Saman has been recognized by 30+ national and international awards, has published 20+ peer-reviewed articles, and is in the process of co-authoring 2 forthcoming textbooks with Cambridge University & Manitoba University Press. He co-founded the Canadian Medical Student Interest Group in Neurosurgery and the Neuro International Collaboration, a multi-continental research endeavour. In 2022, he was selected as a Finalist for the Top 25 Immigrants in Canada.

Harman Kaur Batra

Financial Advisor, MBA Student

Harman Kaur Batra is a financial analyst at a major Canadian bank and a full-time MBA student at the DeGroote School of Business. Outside of her professional work, she is also a vocalist and passionate storyteller. Harman's TEDx talk centers on the mental and emotional traps that prevent people from reaching their potential. These "invisible cages" often take the form of procrastination, fear, or self-doubt. Drawing on her personal journey and inspired by her mother's strength, she presents a grounded and practical path for anyone ready to reclaim control of their life and step into new possibilities.

Lindsey Mazza

Lawyer, Leadership Wellness Expert, Disability Advocate

Lindsey Mazza is a founding partner of a multi-city law firm, a disability advocate, and a leadership consultant focused on inclusion and workplace equity. She was born with Holt-Oram Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects bone and heart development, and has used her lived experience to lead with empathy and strength. Lindsey's TEDx talk examines the transformative role of rejection in her personal and professional journey. She explains how each "no" taught her to be resourceful, resilient, and more authentically herself, and offers guidance to others looking to find power in moments of resistance.

Meera Chopra

Medical Student, Leader

Meera Chopra is a third-year medical student at the University of Toronto. Before entering medicine, she organized national conferences focused on leadership, inclusion, and skill-building for young changemakers. She now brings that same focus to her clinical training in emergency medicine. Meera’s talk reflects on how people can train themselves to respond effectively in crisis situations, even when the outcome is uncertain. She explains that successful crisis management is not about having the right answer, but about having the ability to act with clarity and calm under pressure.

Rachel Long

Renaissance Award Scholar, Student

Rachel Long is an education researcher, strategist, and corporate learning designer. As a Renaissance Award Scholar, she studied learning systems at ten of the world’s top universities and taught in classrooms across Australia and the United Kingdom. She currently works for a sustainability-focused tech company where she helps professionals build adaptable, future-ready skill sets. Rachel's talk introduces the idea of becoming a "knowledge architect"—someone who not only acquires information but knows how to apply and organize it to solve real-world challenges.

René Rodriguez

Author, Leadership Specialist

René Rodriguez is a behavioural neuroscience expert, leadership strategist, and bestselling author with more than 30 years of experience. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, educators, and entrepreneurs on how to use storytelling and science to improve influence and communication. In his TEDx talk, René breaks down how internal narratives are formed and how they shape every decision we make. He offers accessible, research-based tools that allow individuals to challenge limiting beliefs and build more intentional, empowering versions of their personal stories.

Sabina Rajkumar

Researcher, Student

Sabina Rajkumar is a Health Sciences student at McMaster University and a researcher working on HIV prevention and care within Indigenous communities. She has a strong commitment to community engagement and health equity. Sabina’s perspective is shaped by her grandfather’s survival of the Sri Lankan Civil War, which taught her that survival is only the beginning of the story. Her TEDx talk focuses on what happens after trauma: how we heal, how we carry legacy forward, and how communities can come together to build futures grounded in justice and compassion.