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).

Ingle Auditorium
1 Lomb Memorial Dr.
Rochester, New York, 14623
United States

Alaina Mupparthi

Computer Science Student

Alaina Mupparthi is a fourth-year BS/MS computer science student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, pursuing minors in communication and entrepreneurship. Originally from Cupertino, California, Alaina is the eldest of four siblings and a passionate advocate for technology, dance, and community engagement through social impact ventures. At RIT, Alaina leads the Google Developer Student Club, championing its in-person revival and fostering a vibrant community of tech enthusiasts. She is a dedicated council-member of the Honors Council, contributing to academic excellence within the RIT student body. Alaina is also very active in the dance community, teaching salsa and bachata classes, attending workshops nationwide, and performing with the Latin Rhythm Dance Club. Driven by a passion for innovation and social impact, Alaina is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable tech landscape.

Chinenye Ozowalu

Researcher, Visual Media and Photography BFA

Chinenye Ozowalu is a Nigerian-American artist, researcher, and curator who questions current binaries to generate new realities. Through her academic focus in visual media, black studies, and marketing, she explores the breadth of cultural curating as an intervention to post-colonial capitalist systems. This internal search has led her to curatorial and archival research positions at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Visual Studies Workshop, and her current position as the Curator of The RIT Photography Alumni Gallery. In all her projects, Chinenye blends the presentation of ideas to encourage critical dialogue, whether defined as print media, consumer culture, fashion, fine art, or new media.

Darshita Lnu

Researcher, Sustainable Systems MS

Master’s student in Sustainable Systems at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) who is passionate about finding creative ways to make sustainability a part of everyday life. With a background in Computer Science, she combines technical skills with a love for environmental innovation. One of her favorite projects has been conducting NSF-funded research on the lifecycle impact of tabletop composters, exploring how they can transform household waste into a resource while reducing environmental impact. She also worked on campus initiatives to reduce waste and designed sustainability courses to inspire others to take action. For her, sustainability isn’t just about science—it’s about connecting with people, sharing ideas, and making change happen, one step at a time.

Fiyin Adeyera

Product Development MS

Fiyin Adeyera has a background in design and product management, skilled at simplifying complex problems and delivering user-focused solutions. Passionate about understanding human behavior and its influence on technology, he explores how these insights can inspire innovation. In his free time, he enjoys blending musical genres to create unique compositions and engaging in thought-provoking discussions.

Julia Resciniti

Disability History BS

Julia Resciniti was diagnosed with moderate-severe hearing loss at three years old. Ever since, she has been passionate about disability and the disability community. She is an NTID undergraduate student pursuing disability history and hopes to pursue disability or human rights law after graduation.

Kendall Scott

Director, RIT Native American Future Stewards Program

Kendall R. Scott, Jr. is a dedicated advocate for Indigenous rights, education, and public health. As Director of the Native American Future Stewards Program at RIT, he supports the academic and personal growth of Native American students while fostering connections between Indigenous communities and higher education. A member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, Kendall’s work is deeply informed by his heritage and his commitment to creating equitable opportunities for Indigenous peoples. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Brown University, where he focuses on addressing healthcare disparities in Indigenous communities. Kendall’s leadership has been recognized nationally through fellowships and initiatives promoting climate resilience, AI ethics, and Indigenous education.

Noel King

Researcher, RIT NTID Mental Health Therapist

Noel King, MAAT, ATR-BC, PhD Candidate (she/her) is a mental health staff at Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID). Currently, she is a doctoral candidate in Expressive Therapies at Lesley University. She seeks to break the limitation of traditional talk therapy approaches and customize the therapy services to all Deaf folx, especially underserved communities to amplify their voices