Range of speakers to present at TEDxUofSC

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The 12 speakers for the University of South Carolina’s inaugural TEDxUofSC event range from a law professor to an indie comic publisher.

The event, to be held Oct. 9 at the USC Alumni Center, will reflect a theme of change. TEDx events include short talks on innovate ideas that have a potentially widespread effect.

“A 21^st-century university relies on the free exchange of ideas to help transform our culture and our world,” USC president Harris Pastides said in a news release. “TEDx is a natural fit for our campus and will provide a tremendous showcase for some of the most innovative people in the Carolina family.”

Tickets to the event, which will take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the alumni center at 900 Senate St., will be available beginning Aug. 22.

The speakers include:  

• Kassy Alia, a doctoral student in the clinical community psychology program and the CEO of Serve and Connect, a nonprofit that builds partnerships between law enforcement and citizens. Alia will speak about building trust.
• Derek Black, a USC law professor specializing in educational law and policy, will discuss how to better prepare young people to discern fact from fiction.
• Juan Caicedo, a USC professor and undergraduate director of civil engineering, will explain technology he developed that can detect vibrations in homes if an elderly family member falls or a child is injured.
• Kimani Davis, the owner of Mercy Contracting LLC and founder of YNotU 2, a nonprofit providing vocational rehabilitation and job development skills for disadvantaged job seekers, will address the two years he spent in federal prison for drug trafficking and the challenges of re-entering society.
• Parastoo Hashemi, an associate professor in USC’s chemistry and biology departments, will present research exploring indicators of depression found in human skin.
• Ronda Hughes, an associate nursing professor and USC’s director of the Center for Nursing Leadership, has studied data from various health care and government organizations for three years. She will discuss using this data to identify risks for hospital readmission.
• Shigeharu Kobayashi, an indie comic publisher and the program director at Tapp’s Art Center, will discuss creativity and self-definition.
• David Matolak, a professor of electrical engineering at USC, will discuss research focused on building better radio waves that will allow for more information sharing and safer air travel.
• David Shields, an English professor, will discuss the political and scientific aspects of indigenous Southern foods.
• Sarah Simmons, a restaurateur and community activist in New York City and Columbia, will discuss creating opportunities for individuals.
• Seth Stoughton, an assistant law professor and a former police officer, will share his theory of guardian policing, which focuses on “preventing citizens from undue indignity and harm.”
• Lyric Swinton, a rising junior, first-generation college student and mentor, will share a written piece that explores her experiences with stereotypes.