All times are in U.S. Central Daylight Savings Time (GMT - 5 hours).
Advance registration for TEDxSHSU is required and seating for each session is limited.

• Barking Back: Ethical Considerations in Studying Dog Cognition
  Maria Botero

  Research in dog cognition has grown exponentially since the 2000s. Researchers have explored multiple facets of the cognitive and emotional lives of dogs; however, very little research has examined the ethics of animal research in dog cognition. In this talk, Dr. Maria Botero shares ideas about granting dogs a voice (or rather a bark) in deciding to participate in a cognitive study. Dr. Botero will share research done in the Smart Dog Cognition Lab, where researchers investigate whether dogs can provide dissent when participating in a research study. Dissent is a term frequently used in pediatric research that refers to allowing a child to actively withdraw from a study. Dr. Botero argues that we should grant dogs a similar opportunity to express their dissent through their behavior, and that providing this opportunity matters greatly for research ethics.

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• Sustainability and Agriculture: Making the Choice
  Loganne Mason

  In this talk, Loganne Mason, third generation agriculturist and undergraduate student in Animal Science, shares her perspective on keeping our food systems sustainable. She shares information on sustainability efforts being made in agriculture alongside her own personal experiences with sustainability on her family’s cattle ranch in southeastern Colorado. With only a small portion of the U.S. population being directly involved in production agriculture, Loganne’s talk offers new perspectives on how farmers and ranchers are feeding the population while caring for the planet.

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• Seeing Invisible Student Parents
  J. Bart Stykes

  Invisible students are those who fly under the radar, whose needs and circumstances often go unnoticed. Dr. Bart Stykes shares insights from his current research on one invisible student group in particular: the student parent - a college student who has at least one child under 18. Even though one in five college students is a parent, we do not know much at all about their experiences on university campuses. Drawing on insights from interviews with 40 student mothers and student fathers, Dr. Stykes shines a spotlight on student parents’ lives. He argues that seeing the invisible student is the essential first step in equipping them to succeed. Each of us has a role to play in that process – peers in the classroom, instructors, staff, and alumni. Are you ready to begin doing your part?

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• Redesigning the Tech Table: Amplifying Black Voices in Technology, Gaming, and Esports
  Bradford Harris

  The tech and gaming industries have a diversity problem. Instead of adding more chairs to a table that wasn’t built for diverse voices, we need to redesign the table entirely. This talk will explore how we can dismantle the structures that create inequity in these powerful industries, from changing hiring practices to fostering inclusive cultures that celebrate and amplify Black voices. Bradford Harris shares examples of how we can create pathways for the next generation of Black innovators and how that diversity will drive innovation. Learn how to build a new tech table together – one built on equity, collaboration, and the boundless potential of Black talent.

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• Grief-Conscious Communication: Redefining How We Navigate Everyday Grief
  Chinasa Elue

  Grief is an inevitable part of life, yet it is often shrouded in silence and discomfort. In this talk, grief coach and researcher Dr. Chinasa Elue redefines our understanding of grief and loss. Sharing her deeply personal story of losing her mother, Dr. Elue invites us to explore grief in its many forms, from death to the loss of friendships and jobs. She introduces the concept of "grief-conscious communication," a transformative approach that encourages us to speak openly about and support one another through grief. With a blend of empathy and practical advice, Dr. Elue provides strategies for creating environments where grief is acknowledged and embraced. This talk will inspire you to rethink how you engage with grief, offering a new perspective on healing and community building in the face of life’s inevitable challenges.

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All times are in U.S. Central Daylight Savings Time (GMT - 5 hours).
Advance registration for TEDxSHSU is required and seating for each session is limited.

• Making Sport Safe: The Importance of Secondary School Athletic Trainers
  Mayrena Isamar Hernandez

  Secondary school athletic trainers are uniquely positioned health care providers. Athletic trainers are essential in providing a high standard of care which impacts life-long health and physical activity during a critical time such as adolescence. However, disparities in access to athletic training services are prevalent, particularly in low socioeconomic status communities. It is critical to understand the role athletic trainers play in youth sport safety and their impact on a positive youth sport experience. Furthermore, it is essential to understand systemic recommendations based on public health policies on how to increase athletic training access for youth athletes. In this talk, Dr. Mayrena Isamar Hernandez shares the important role of athletic trainers for youth, and how we can all advocate for increased access to these important health professionals in our schools and communities.

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• Sí Se Puede: Overcoming Roadblocks as a First-Generation College Student
  Debra Balandrán

  "Sí Se Puede" (Yes, You Can) is a mantra that emphasizes the importance of resilience and not giving up. In this talk, drawing from personal experiences, Debra Balandrán illuminates systemic barriers and unique obstacles faced by first-generation students navigating an unfamiliar academic territory. From community college struggles to becoming a master’s of public health candidate, she shares insights from her personal journey about resilience, adaptability, and community support. Key advice includes seeking guidance, understanding financial aid, embracing one’s perspective, and building support networks. Debra emphasizes that age, background, or circumstances do not define the potential for academic success. By framing challenges as detours rather than dead ends, her talk encourages persistence and self-belief. This inspiring narrative aims to empower first-generation students, reminding them that with determination and the right mindset, they can overcome roadblocks and achieve their educational goals.

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• Seeing the Unseen: How Gold Nanoparticles Revolutionize Cancer and Viral Treatment
  Hosam Gharib Abdelhady

  From a young age, Dr. Hosam Gharib Abdelhady was fascinated by how atoms come together to create everything around us. This curiosity led him to explore the power of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), a cutting-edge tool that lets us see the world at the atomic level in ways we never imagined. During his Ph.D. research, Dr. Abdelhady used AFM to study gold nanoparticles (GNPs) — tiny particles about 10,000 times thinner than a human hair. What he discovered was groundbreaking: GNPs can attach to DNA, break it apart, and even disrupt viral RNA. This opened a new world of possibilities for treating cancer and viral infections, not with lasers or harsh treatments, but with these tiny, powerful particles. In this talk, Dr. Abdelhady takes you on a journey into the invisible world at the heart of life itself to see how GNPs could revolutionize medicine, offering new hope to millions battling devastating diseases.

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• Exploring the Complexities of My Complexion
  Jasmine Crooks

  In this talk, Jasmine Crooks delves into the nuanced experiences of being biracial and navigating the spaces in-between. This talk addresses the challenges faced by biracial individuals as they encounter societal pressures to fit into predefined boxes. By sharing personal insights and broader reflections, the talk aims to highlight the often-overlooked intricacies of biracial identity and foster a deeper understanding among both those who share this experience and those who seek to better understand and support biracial individuals. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on the impact of racial categorization and the importance of embracing the full spectrum of identity.

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• AI and the Good Life
  Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin

  Will using this AI tool really make my life better? This question is important to ask ourselves in the age of artificial intelligence, and yet it’s so tempting not to. What’s there to worry about if AI can help us complete everyday tasks faster and cheaper? Philosopher Dr. Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin helps us think through the complexities involved in figuring out AI’s role in the good life. He argues that AI tools can look like promising solutions to pressing problems and yet sometimes only end up making those problems worse. He offers a set of questions we can all use to guide future decisions on our use of AI. The value of AI use is not an all-or-nothing proposition. As is so often the case, context matters.

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