TEDxUW

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Anvita Gopal

  Behavioral Scientist

  Dr. Anvita Gopal is a cognitive scientist who works at the intersection of psychology, mental health, and social inequality. She studies how beliefs, emotions, and coping strategies shape mental well-being. Dr. Gopal earned her Ph.D. in Cognitive Science from IIT Gandhinagar, where she researched John Henryism, a high-effort coping style that can potentially compound the challenges faced under persistent adversity. She was awarded the Lupina Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Waterloo, where she works in Cognitive Neuroscience with Prof. James Danckert. Her current research explores how boredom proneness, social media use, and levels of connectedness interact to influence mental health in a world where technology promises connection but often leaves us feeling isolated. Beyond research, Anvita is passionate about bridging science and lived experience, believing the most meaningful insights come not only from data, but from listening deeply to people’s stories.

• Dan Connerty

  Founder & CEO of NTangible

  In Measuring the Invisible: The Science of Clutch, former professional baseball player and entrepreneur Dan Connerty reveals how new science is transforming what we once thought was intangible. Drawing from thousands of data points across youth, collegiate, and professional sports, this presentation will show that clutch isn’t luck - it’s measurable. His team’s research through the NTangible Clutch Factor™ assessment has quantified how people think, focus, and recover under stress, revealing that clutch performance ability is both a trait and a trainable skill. From 14-year-olds national champions outscoring top professional athletes to NCAA D3 walk-ons outperforming NCAA Division I recruits, Connerty’s work reframes pressure as the next frontier of athletic and cognitive human potential. Beyond the field, he explores how this same science is being applied to racing teams, public safety, and high-stakes organizations - proving that pressure doesn’t define us, it reveals us.

• Darshan Parmar

  Researcher & Innovator

  Dr. Darshan H. Parmar is a leading innovator and researcher in the exciting field of quantum dot photodetectors, a technology poised to transform infrared sensing. Dr. Parmar earned a PhD at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Prof. Ted Sargent, the inventor of quantum dot image sensors. He achieved a remarkable breakthrough, extending the operational lifespan of these devices from hours to over 100 hours, a critical advance that has paved the way for practical applications. He also developed a groundbreaking simulation model for quantum dot device fabrication, enabling faster, more cost-effective development cycles. He has authored and peer-reviewed many papers for esteemed scientific journals, making him a world-leading expert in the field. Currently, he is at Apple, developing next-generation image sensors, leveraging his deep understanding of semiconductor physics to enhance camera capabilities across Apple's product line.

• Nino Melikidze

  Co-founder & CEO

  Nino is the co-founder and CEO of Immitracker, the Waze of Immigration. Immitracker is one of the largest immigration tech platforms in Canada and Australia, successfully guiding thousands of immigrants annually through a time-consuming and stressful process. Nino’s background lies in startup operations and tech project management. She has lived and worked in over three countries and has a passion for process, efficiency, and optimizing systems for delivering the best results, regardless of whether the goal is to launch a new product, build an organization, or manage teams.

• Rebecca Lyons

  Founder

  Rebecca Lyons is the founder of HerSay, an AI-powered women’s health companion designed to help women feel heard, understood, and confident in their healthcare journeys. A serial entrepreneur and award-winning speaker, Rebecca has spent over a decade driving innovation in intersection of technology, leadership, and human experience. Her work has been featured across Canada’s top innovation networks, including Accelerator Centre, Communitech and MaRS Discovery District. Through HerSay, Rebecca is reimagining what it means to be an informed, empowered patient - bridging the gap between medical systems and women’s lived experiences. A University of Waterloo alumna, Rebecca’s mission is simple yet profound: to help women everywhere find their voice in healthcare and to inspire the confidence to use it.