Theme: Eye of the Beholder

TedxDuke is proud to present our 2025 conference: Eye of the Beholder. We will be presenting ideas worth sharing from within our Duke and Durham community, including 12 students, alumni, and residents. This year’s theme focuses on stories from unique perspectives that, much like a painting, can shift based on the angle one views them. These short talks will teach, inspire, and captivate audiences.

Reynolds Auditorium
Science Drive
Durham, North Carolina, 27708
United States

Adar Schwarzbach

Software Engineer and Former Wrestler

Adar Schwarzbach graduated from Duke University in December 2024 with a degree in Computer Science. While at Duke, he rebuilt and modernized GoBringIt, a food delivery app serving Durham restaurants and the Duke community. He previously interned at Apple and PlayStation and worked as a Research Engineer with the Stanford Microfluidics Lab, where he co-authored a paper in Analytica Chimica Acta. Adar originally came to Duke as a recruited Division I wrestler. During his senior year at Palo Alto High School, he won the Reno Worlds national championship at 152 lbs and earned all-state honors. Between his sophomore and junior year, Adar won the California Central Coast Section Championship in his weight class, won the California Greco-Roman state championship, placed third at the California Freestyle state tournament and became a member of the California National Team. This spring, Adar will begin working as a software engineer at a quantitative trading firm in Chicago.

Alex Winn

Graduate Student at UNC-Chapel Hill

Alex Winn is a graduate student at UNC-Chapel Hill with a background in neuroscience, mathematical modeling, and AI. His research explores brain structure, information flow, and computational modeling to understand complex biological systems. Passionate about science communication and interdisciplinary collaboration, Alex believes impactful ideas emerge at the crossroads of diverse fields. His TEDx talk, inspired by personal experience, examines anorexia, gaps in medical treatment, and the need for a paradigm shift in addressing eating disorders. Beyond research, Alex is active in the recovery community and explores spirituality as a foundation for growth. He challenges his body through gymnastics and optimizes systems for learning, productivity, and well-being. Whether refining mental models, deepening his spiritual practice, or pushing physical limits, he is committed to continuous growth, meaningful change, and inspired contribution.

Antonella Di Ciano

Conservationist

Antonella Di Ciano is a Fulbright Scholar pursuing a Master’s in International Development at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. She has worked as Regional Coordinator for Instituto Igarapé, a Brazil-based think-and-do tank focused on security, justice, and development in the Amazon. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, she holds a B.A. in International Studies from the Central University of Venezuela and an M.A. in Anti-Corruption Policies from Salamanca University. With six years of experience in project management and conflict resolution, she served as Programme Officer for the Conflict, Stability, and Security Fund (CSSF) across six Latin American countries, tackling corruption and environmental crime. Antonella co-founded Proyecto De La Mano, an NGO addressing humanitarian issues in Venezuela. She has spoken at global forums, including Davos 2024, highlighting links between environmental degradation and organized crime in the Amazon.

Bessie Johnson-Elmore

Founder of Straight Talk Support Group

Bessie L. Johnson-Elmore is a dedicated motivator with 32+ years of experience as a support group facilitator and counselor in domestic violence, mental health, and advocacy for incarcerated individuals and their families. She was the first Black female president of Bull City Toastmasters, later earning awards from HUD for a homeowner workshop program and from NAMI for contributions to mental health. A former NAMI Durham Board President, Bessie studied at Rutgers and Seton Hall, continuing her education in Human Services at the University of Phoenix. In 2013, she founded Straight Talk Support Group to assist families of incarcerated individuals. She has worked with nonprofits across multiple counties, volunteered with the ACLU, and facilitated classes at Durham County Jail, Butner Federal Prison, and Troy House. In 2018, she expanded her impact by opening Straight Talk Transitional House, a resource center for justice-involved individuals.

Henry Rice

Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Global Health at Duke University

Henry Rice is Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Global Health at Duke University and the Duke Global Health Institute, Co-Director of the Duke Center for Global Surgery and Health Equity, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Rwanda. He has broad interests in global health education and research, health equity, pediatric surgery, global surgery, health policy, workforce dynamics, poverty, patient safety, and implementation science.

Jingqiu Guan

Assistant Professor of the Practice in Duke University's Dance Program

Originally from Chengdu, China, Jingqiu Guan is a filmmaker, choreographer, scholar, and dancer. She is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Duke University’s Dance Program. Her work explores cultural identities, diasporic experiences, motherhood, racial and disability justice through multimedia dance performance and film, centering the voices of women, immigrants, people of color, and people with disabilities. Her dance films and documentaries have been presented internationally, earning awards at screendance festivals across the US, UK, India, Norway, Spain, Austria, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan. Jingqiu is currently developing a multimedia dance performance inspired by migration stories connected to trains and railroads. She holds a PhD in Culture and Performance from UCLA, an MFA in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa, and an Ed.M from Harvard.

Kasper Kubica

Founder and Entrepreneur

Kasper Kubica is the cofounder of Carpe, the world's fastest-growing antiperspirant brand, which makes effective sweat products for all over the body. He majored in physics and computer science at Duke while pursuing multiple startups and a passion for filmmaking, eventually cofounding Carpe with fellow Robertson Scholar David Spratte the summer of 2014, right after their freshmen years at Duke and UNC, respectfully.

Leonardo Williams

Mayor of Durham

Mayor Leonardo Williams is a former teacher and school administrator. He was elected to Durham City Council in December 2021 and sworn in as Mayor December 2023. Mayor Williams is a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University, earning a Bachelors in Music Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. While attending, Leo met his wife, Zweli, who are the proud parents of their son. Mayor Williams was recognized twice by Durham Public Schools as Teacher of the Year and by the Triangle Business Journal with a “40 Under 40” Award for producing innovative practices in education. He transitioned from full-time educator to full-time small business owner when he and his wife opened Zweli's, the first full-service authentic Zimbabwean restaurant in the United States. Mayor Williams continues to apply his experience and passion in education, entrepreneurship, and commitment to addressing deep social issues to make Durham, a united, safe, and prosperous community for all.

Owen Astrachan

Professor of the Practice of Computer Science at Duke University

Owen Astrachan is a Computer Science Professor at Duke University and the department's Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies. He holds degrees from Dartmouth and Duke, including a PhD in Computer Science. He's received an NSF CAREER award, an IBM Faculty Award, and was an NSF CISE Distinguished Education Fellow. Astrachan won the 2016 ACM Karl Karlstrom Outstanding Educator Award. He led the CS Principles project, creating a new AP Computer Science course. His research focuses on improving computer science teaching and learning. He's also been recognized with several teaching awards, including Duke's Robert B. Cox and Richard K. Lublin awards.

Sam Bayer

Negotiation Educator and Tech Entrepreneur

Sam Bayer, PhD, is a transformative educator and retired tech entrepreneur who turned his passion for collaborative problem-solving into a mission to help others build stronger relationships. With over 25 years of experience in win-win methodologies, he blends training with real-world success—from taking a tech company public to helping teenagers navigate family dynamics. Sam has built and sold multiple companies, including his last venture, which grew from a $9,000 investment to a $15 million valuation. A student of human connections and a graduate of Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation, he now teaches others how to turn challenges into opportunities for stronger relationships. Drawing from his background as a PhD chemist, entrepreneur, nonprofit board member, and grandfather, Sam developed the A.G.E.N.T. methodology—a simple framework that makes collaborative problem-solving accessible to everyone, from students to nonprofit leaders.

Shep Moyle

Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke University

Shep Moyle is a passionate educator, entrepreneur, and innovator who believes in the power of connection and transformation. As a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke University, he inspires students to explore entrepreneurship, strategy, and the intersection of innovation, happiness and joy. Shep’s entrepreneurial journey began at Shindigz, where he served as CEO and owner for over 30 years, leading the company to global success with over $2 billion in revenue. His earlier work as a brand manager at Frito Lay revolutionized the snack aisle with products like Tostitos Restaurant Style Chips. A lifelong leader, Shep has chaired global organizations like the Young Presidents’ Organization, served on Duke’s Board of Trustees and as President of the Duke Alumni Association, and pursued groundbreaking initiatives at Harvard University. He finds joy in teaching, coaching CEOs worldwide, and empowering others to make a lasting impact.

Shree Bose

Physician Scientist

At 17 years old, Shree triumphed over 10,000 competitors to become the Grand Prize Winner of the first-ever Google Global Science Fair in 2011. She presented her winning work to President Obama and directors of the NIH, as well as students around the world. Through these experiences, Shree became a passionate advocate for better STEM education, which inspired her to found Piper, a company creating engineering kits for kids. She is currently a resident physician at the University of Chicago and is studying how cancer cells adapt their metabolism to grow in different environments. She is a graduate of Harvard University (BA '16) and Duke School of Medicine (MD/PhD '23), and was honored on the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 for Science list.

Skylar Hughes

Robertson Scholar at Duke University & Journalist

Skylar Hughes is a Robertson Scholar at Duke University, combining psychological research with frontline experience in combating misinformation. As part of CNN's fact-checking unit, she verified over 100 articles, broadcast packages, and scripts, serving on the Republican National Convention live fact-checking team. Her expertise extends to the Poynter Institute, where her content reached over 150,000 people. A Kenan Ethics Fellow, Hughes has explored the moral dimensions of misinformation and digital communication. At Duke’s Marsh Memory Lab, she secured grant funding to lead experimental research on misinformation correction. Her interdisciplinary work provides critical insight into how misinformation shapes society. Skylar believes accurate information is a right, not a privilege. Upon graduation, she aims to merge her experience in journalism and psychological research to study misinformation’s impact in the 21st century.

William Elmore

Business Owner, Peer Support Specialist, and Advocate

To whom much is given, much is required. William Elmore embodies this, dedicating himself to serving others. His unexpected release from Orange County Correctional Facility on December 21, 2015, marked the end of 25 years in North Carolina’s prison system. Known as Will or Mecca, he is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, author, peer support specialist, and advocate. He co-owns SWIT (Success While In Transition) with Tommy Green, a reentry life skills program based on 21 principles for transitioning back into society. Will also co-owns Community Based Landscapers, a second-chance employer focused on giving back. Both of his business partners share his lived experience of long-term incarceration. Prison from the Inside Out, co-authored with Susan Simone, details his journey from a life sentence to freedom. Will continues to mentor youth, support incarcerated individuals, and consult faith-based organizations on prison ministries, transitional housing, and reentry programs.