WE ARE TEDxUF

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and interpretation of the brain and physiology. Claims around the nervous system and stress management warrant further scientific investigation. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf Biologist Connie Rich began her academic career at the mercy of her instincts: afraid, mind blanking in each stressful situation, and obsessing over every failure. But over the course of her winding career, learning about biological and evolutionary processes taught her more about her life experiences. Through teaching, research, and personal experience, she learned that your primal brain is not always your friend, but you can hijack your own physiology to keep your cool, keep your focus, and keep moving forward. Constance Rich is a Biologist whose experience ranges from the bench to the classroom to the biotech industry. She received her BSc from Georgia Tech and went on to complete her PhD at the University of Cambridge in Physiology, Development, and Neurosicence. Following post-doctoral research positions, she began teaching Anatomy, Physiology, and Molecular Biology at the University of Florida. There she saw her former self in her students and realized an important link between what her students were experiencing and what she was teaching: how the body reacts to stress and how it can be harnessed in the face of failure. 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

With the rising popularity of social media, there is a lot of misinformation concerning radiation in healthcare that Abram Abdou believes needs to be cleared up. He speaks about misconceptions surrounding radiation's healthcare benefits and urges listeners to take on a balanced view that recognizes radiation's advantages and risks. Abram Abdou is a Physicist who focuses on the intersection of physics and healthcare, specializing in Medical Physics. He received his Bachelor’s from the University of Florida and a Master’s from the University of Miami, where he is also pursuing his PhD. His research focuses on Stereotactic Radiosurgery—a technique that uses precise radiation to treat medical conditions. Through tutoring students, he noticed the often misunderstood nature of radiation, leading him to advocate for a more informed perspective. Abram challenges misconceptions and highlights radiation’s healthcare benefits, advocating for a balanced view that recognizes its advantages and risks. 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

Weight bias infiltrates healthcare settings, creating barriers to effective treatment and perpetuating harm—even when providers believe they're helping. Dr. Norfleet reveals how her own struggles with weight became the key to transforming patient care. Through powerful patient stories and her vulnerable journey from abandoning childhood dreams to embracing medical transparency, she demonstrates how "words have weight" and challenges us to speak thoughtfully, act mindfully, and react compassionately. Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a triple board-certified physician specializing in Internal Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from LSU Medical School, completed her Internal Medicine residency at LSU Health Sciences Center, and obtained her MBA from Webster University. Dr. Norfleet serves as Regional Physician Leader for a large medical group in St. Louis, where she was named 2018 Physician of the Year. She is founder of Weight Liberation, where she empowers individuals to achieve their unique health goals and helps community members advocate for themselves and their health in healthcare settings. She is a member of the Obesity Medicine Association, the Obesity Action Coalition, The Obesity Society, and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Norfleet serves on various committees in the Obesity Medicine Association and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. 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

What does it truly mean to feel “at home”? In this TEDxUF Talk, Design Scientist Dr. Lisa Sundahl-Platt examines how our environments profoundly influence our sense of safety, comfort, and well-being—especially during unexpected life changes. Drawing on over 25 years as a licensed interior designer and her advanced degrees in Psychology and Systems Engineering, Dr. Sundahl-Platt demonstrates how thoughtful, resilient design can transform not just a space but a life. Through her early experience redesigning a care facility room for Anna—a woman grappling with the loss of independence—we witness the remarkable impact of intentional choices: ergonomic lighting, personalized color palettes, and accessible controls that restore dignity and joy, even in the most challenging circumstances. Yet, resilient design goes far beyond aesthetics. Dr. Sundahl-Platt delves into the science of interior living environments, revealing how materials, lighting, acoustics, and spatial planning can either support or undermine our health. She introduces the “5S” framework—Safety, Support, Sustainability, Symbiosis, and Salutogenesis—a holistic approach inspired by engineered and natural systems. 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

What if you could create the life of your wildest dreams? Would you be able to love your current life in the process of getting there? In her Ted Talk, Kaylin Ingram explores what it means to truly create and to understand that we have the power to create the lives we want. Not only is this our biggest responsibility, but as the artist of our lives, this is our biggest masterpiece. As a Brand-Strategist and Co-Founder at Hang Ten Creative Agency, an author of her children's book, When Being Blew Through, a muralist in her hometown, and a former adjunct professor of graphic design at the University of Tampa, Kaylin Ingram has tapped into her creative potential and wants to help others do the same. Through all of these creative acts however, she has realized that her LIFE is the most important masterpiece and that maybe, through trial, error, some good books and therapy, she can learn to love the process of creating, just as much as the finished product itself. You can follow along Kaylin's creative life journey on instagram (@kaycoastal) or online at kaycoastal.com. 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

How can studying fish teach us how to live? Dr. James C. Liao, a biomechanist and neuroscientist, reveals how the underwater world of fish holds surprising insights into truth, curiosity, and resilience. Through three powerful lessons—from coral reefs to childhood bullying to fishing with his father—Dr. Liao shows how his scientific discoveries mirror human experiences. At the University of Florida, Dr. Liao leads a lab where fish behavior, fluid dynamics, and neuroscience intersect. But it's not just data and experiments that drive his work—it's a deeply personal connection to the animals and environments he studies. Whether it’s parrotfish filtering misinformation, trout finding shelter in turbulence, or a child navigating life through questions, Dr. Liao makes a compelling case that science and life are not separate journeys, but reflections of each other. Dr. Liao challenges us to listen more carefully to others and the natural world—and to trust that the most meaningful breakthroughs often come from curiosity-driven science. In a world that increasingly values deliverables, Dr. Liao argues that open-ended exploration can lead to the most transformative insights, and that a deeper understanding often emerges when we move with the current rather than against it. 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 powerful and personal talk, filmmaker Iman Zawahry explores how distorted portrayals of Muslims—especially Muslim women—have shaped public perception and identity, drawing from her own experiences growing up in the Deep South with little to no authentic media representation. She unpacks the legacy of Orientalism in film and media, and how it has fueled stereotypes that persist today, while highlighting the importance of empowering Muslim storytellers to reclaim their narratives. Through humor, heart, and her groundbreaking film Americanish, Zawahry shows that authentic, joyful, and diverse stories can challenge systemic misrepresentation and inspire real change. Iman Zawahry is one of the first hijabi American-Muslim filmmakers in the nation. She has worked on numerous films that have played at over 150 venues worldwide. She’s an Emmy award winner, Princess Grace Award recipient, a Lincoln Center Artist Academy Fellow, Sundance Momentum Fellow, Sundance Universal Fellow and was a part of the Warner Brothers Directing Program. She is also the co-creator of the first American Muslim film grant with Islamic Scholarship Fund where she currently serves as Director of Film Programs. Her debut film, Americanish, has won twenty six awards, including best director and best film and has been distributed worldwide by Sony International Pictures. Iman is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Florida, where she was honored with the Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2024 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

The topic of homelessness might seem insurmountable, but in this talk, you’ll learn how even the most basic act of human connection can transform lives. Weaving several heart-wrenching cases that underscore the history of mental health and homelessness in the US and highlighting how innovative programming can remedy the 2024 Supreme Court ruling that criminalizes homelessness, Dr. Ana Turner illustrates that befriending our neighbors without homes can improve our own lives as well. Dr. Turner is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine with a focus on street psychiatry. She works at Sulzbacher, a homeless shelter and FQHC in Jacksonville, FL, where she provides essential psychiatric services to those on the streets, and teaches medical students, residents, and fellows the importance of humanistic care for marginalized communities. For her work she has been recognized with UF’s Hippocratic Award, the College of Medicine’s highest award for clinical teaching among all faculty. 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