our mission…
TEDxUCIrvine is a non-profit organization that produces independently organized events curated and executed by passionate UC Irvine students. It was founded on the belief that sharing the knowledge on campus can inspire action throughout the community. Once a year TEDxUCIrvine gives our campus the opportunity to showcase our talents, achievements and ideas on TED’s worldwide platform. We strive to ignite the curiosity, passion and wonder in the interaction amongst the different disciplines on campus. In the spirit of TED, we aim to find “ideas worth spreading” within UC Irvine and to stimulate dialogue in the greater Irvine community. We are laying the foundation for a collaborative space for UC Irvine’s thinkers and doers. A place where these individuals can utilize their diversity, come together, and bring light to new ideas that foster a different way of thinking.
MEET OUR TEAM
Directors
Louis Kabe
Executive Director
Mechanical Engineering
What does TEDx mean to you: TED represents a very core value of mine, the pursuit of knowledge. TED is often over credited in it's credibility, as a platform to spread voices we get all sorts of people coming on to the stage to share their expertise. Many people see this as a liability in terms of reliability, but I think there is good in that. There is something we can learn in everything that exists, regardless of how reliable or true it is, it's up to you to decide what information to absorb. And that is what I love about TED, it's a platform to spread all facets of human knowledge, to promote growth and critical thinking as a larger group of people.
Favorite TED talk: Why Do We Ask Questions? by Michael “vsauce” Stevens
Tristan Rallos
Executive Producer
Philosophy
What does TEDx mean to you: It means doing something new, something outside of what we’re comfortable with, and confronting the unknown. To be able to live life as ignorantly as we do, while still attempting to move forward, is what TEDx means to me; it means courage.
Favorite TED talk: Do It Yourself! by Nardwuar
Octavio Partida
Director of Project Management
Aerospace Engineering
What does TEDx mean to you: I think TEDx stands to represent a form of empowerment through collective knowledge. TEDx, to me, is a testament to how information strengthens one’s mind, which leads to the strengthening of one’s love for their community.
Favorite TED talk: Music as a Language by Victor Wooten
Janaki Nair
Director of External Affairs
Psychology
what does TEDx mean to you: I view TEDx as an open platform to share ideas and knowledge with millions of people in novel and interesting ways. It encourages people to become more curious about things in our everyday lives and ultimately, fosters a sense of community by connecting people through shared experiences!
Favorite TED talk: How Meditation Can Reshape Our Brains by Sara Lazar
Lana Smith
Director of Internal Operations
Chemical Engineering
what does TEDx mean to you: I really appreciate the accessibility of TEDx, giving everyday people the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics from experts in their fields. I love being part of an environment where people can share diverse perspectives, discuss groundbreaking ideas, and leave feeling energized and inspired to make a difference.
Favorite TED talk: The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngoni Adichie
Ashlyn Wong
Director of Social Media & Content Media
Business Information Management
What does TEDx mean to you: Being a part of TEDx allows me to be a part of something much bigger than myself, a place where anyone can speak about any subject, especially on such a widespread platform is such an incredible gift. Every day I find myself learning something new, out of our diverse set of speakers or even from the other CORE members, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store this year!
Favorite ted talk: live life to the fullest by nick martin
Ryan Jih
Director of Finance
Business Economics
What does TEDx mean to you: TEDx is the perfect space and outlet for both listeners and speakers to learn, teach, and communicate powerful stories. As a believer in the magnitude of thoughtful discussions, I am amazed by how TEDx exemplifies passion, growth, and engagement in the purest form.
Favorite TED talk: The Art of Misdirection by Apollo Robins
CORE TEAM
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Hazel Jolly Kurien
Shriya Koul
Laila Wafaie
Keya Gupta
Louwing Perez
Vanya Arora
SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTENT MEDIA
Ally Avidan
Natalia Villarreal
Brittanie Yukimtiao
Rascal Zhao
Julia Chu
Christina Cheng
Lola Yan
Jeremiah Lillion
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Tracy Njuguna
Emily Dibene
Brooke Shibata
Roger Chen
Arisha Bhattacharya
Aryan Manglm
INTERNAL OPERATIONS
Ralph Zepeda
Samantha Alphonso
Grace Marshall
Valeria Laguna
Lakarah Vance
Nathan Acheson
FINANCE
Ethan Tung
Shayan Halder
Isaac Meyer
Frank Yeh
Reagan Fan
Chae Lee