TEDxLSU has been an intellectual and creative experience that proudly exhibits “ideas worth spreading” using diverse thinkers to spark dialogue within the greater Baton Rouge community since 2012.
The event is organized by students, community members at-large and LSU Communication Across the Curriculum, also known as CxC.
The fifth annual TEDxLSU is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Mar. 11, 2017 in the Student Union Theater. The upcoming year’s theme is “Chain Reaction,” highlighting the domino effect of an idea or experience sparking another.
Taking the stage in March will be many diverse speakers, including bird-loving forensic scientist Lauren Pharr, vocalist and community agent Quiana Lynell, creative science catalyst Cynthia Peterson, teaching artist Chancelier “Xero” Skidmore, cosmic groundbreaker Gaby Gonzalez, culinary connoisseur Jay Ducote, clinical psychologist Tiffany Stewart, medical physicist and 3D pioneer Wayne Newhauser, artistic interpreter and choreographer Sandra Parks, economic trend spotter Naci Mocan, technology and idea enthusiast Chris Dykes, citizen science cultivator Ahsennur Soysal, and laugh maker and mentor Howard Hall.
Stewart is the director of the Behavior Technology Laboratory: Eating Disorders & Obesity at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge. She obtained her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University.
Stewart said being selected is an honor and she is familiar with the gravity and importance of a TEDxLSU talk.
Her speech will discuss how her researched cues from U.S. Army soldiers and female athletes can help us know what an ideal body looks like. She said she wants to express that a body’s function is not equivalent to its appearance.
In relation to the theme “Chain Reaction,” Stewart said she wants to “plant a seed for a shift in perception” that would ultimately change people’s health behaviors and overall quality of life.
She also expressed her excitement in the diversity of speakers and being a woman scientist speaking out on a topic that affects everyone.
Peterson, the Dean of the College of Science, is also a graduate of the University. After attending a TEDxLSU event a few years ago, she was interested in becoming a speaker at the event one day.
Her speech will be about the connections and comparisons of making jazz and conducting science.
“That might raise some eyebrows, but there really are a lot of commonalities,” Peterson said. “Both jazz and science have a contagious energy that is like a chain reaction.”
She said she values liberal education at the University and is excited to be a part of the event.
Early bird tickets for the event are now available online at www.tedxlsu.com.