TEDxUF’s 16th Annual Conference

In an ever-evolving world, transformation is not just inevitable, it is essential. Metamorphosis embodies more than a process of change; it is a salient symbol of revival. It compels us to confront disruption, whether that disruption presents itself as seismic societal shifts or daunting cultural challenges.

TEDxUF’s 16th annual conference will convene visionaries and changemakers from diverse fields to explore how we can actively shape a future in constant flux. Much like the butterfly emerging anew from its cocoon in spring, TEDxUF is being reborn. We invite you to join us on this journey, guided by the transformative power of human thought.

Metamorphosis does not mark an end. Instead, it shines a light on a promising future.

Speaker Lineup:

Ana Turner
Associate Professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine

Dr. Turner is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine. When her mentor, Dr. Richard Christensen, passed away suddenly in 2015 she began covering his clinic at Sulzbacher, a homeless shelter and FQHC in Jacksonville, FL, and realized that was where her true passion lay. She, her husband, and 5 kids moved to Jacksonville to pursue this work that includes literally meeting patients where they are in the middle of downtown. This can involve drawing labs, administering medication, and coordinating wrap-around services to meet their significant psychosocial needs. She brings students and residents at each outing, and by humanizing people experiencing homelessness for her learners, she helps them identify how psychiatric care extends beyond the hospital or clinic, and how interprofessional care and teamwork can increase access for marginalized and excluded populations.

Iman Zawahry
Filmmaker and Senior Lecturer

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. Iman works to amplify the underrepresented female voice and frequently consults and speaks across the nation on Muslims in Film. 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.

James Liao
Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Florida and the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience

James C. Liao is a Professor at the University of Florida. He is also an Affiliate Professor in the Clayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering and an Affiliate Curator of Ichthyology at the Florida Museum of Natural History. He studies how fish move, sense their environment, and interact with water, using tools from engineering, neuroscience, and physiology. His contributions to science have been recognized with the 2024 Ig Nobel Prize in Physics and a 2024 NSF Mid-Career Award.His research explores the mechanisms of fish behavior across biological scales, from single neurons to schooling, integrating engineering, neuroscience, and physiology. Beyond academia, Dr. Liao is an avid angler and scuba diver, with a lifelong connection to fish. He is also completing a popular science book on how fish work with Princeton University Press and runs a YouTube channel, Fish Code Studios, where he shares insights into fishing and science.

Kaylin Ingram
Brand Strategist, Co-Founder, Muralist, and Children’s Book Author

Kaylin Ingram is a Brand Strategist, Co-Founder, Muralist, Children’s Book Author and a true creative through and through. Having graduated from the University of Florida with a BFA in Graphic Design, Kaylin went on to receive her Masters in Branding from School of Visual Arts. She currently lives in Florida where she runs Hang Ten Creative Agency, a visual studio that she co-founded in 2022 that specializes in brand, logo and web design for businesses looking to express their visual voice. In 2023, Kaylin wrote, illustrated, and published her first children’s book, When Being Blew Through, to help children (and adults) learn to love their inner being. Her creative journey even led her to the University of Tampa where she was an Adjunct Professor of Digital Art and got to teach the next generation of Creatives. Through her work, Kaylin found that life itself is the ultimate art project, and one that she is currently creatively invested in.

Lisa Sundahl-Platt
Assistant Professor of Interior Design and Research Faculty with the Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER)

Dr. Lisa Sundahl-Platt is an Assistant Professor of Interior Design and Research Faculty with the Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER) at the University of Florida’s College of Design, Construction, and Planning. Her research focuses on the impact of built environment design on human health and resilience. Dr. Sundahl Platt holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, a Master of Science in Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Systems Science focusing on Health Systems Engineering. With over 25 years of experience as a licensed interior designer and sustainable operational performance improvement consultant in North America and internationally, Dr. Sundahl Platt brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her research. She directs the Design Dynamics Lab at FIBER, where she and her team develop innovative strategies to address health hazards through human-centered design and intelligent building systems planning.

Tracy Norfleet
Internal Medicine Physician

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is an accomplished Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician, Physician Leader, and the visionary behind Weight Liberation™. As the founder and CEO of Weight Liberation™, Dr. Tracy Norfleet specializes in personal health coaching and consulting, channeling a passion for transformative wellness solutions. Dr. Tracy is dual-certified in Obesity and Lifestyle Medicine. She is a dynamic speaker and thought leader with a Master of Business Administration. Outside the professional realm, Dr. Norfleet enjoys dancing, spending time with family and friends, listening to live music, and practicing wellness through regular spa experiences. Her multifaceted approach to life reflects a commitment to both professional excellence and personal fulfillment.