TEDxMedUniGraz

Speakers

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

• Corina Madreiter-Sokolowski

  Mitochondria, Cell Communication, Aging, Calcium Signaling

  Corina Madreiter-Sokolowski is a molecular biologist and Professor at the Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, where she serves as Deputy Head of the Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Her research explores how mitochondria communicate with the rest of the cell — and how that communication changes as we age. After her Ph.D., she conducted research at various institutions including ETH Zurich and Les Laboratoires Servier (Paris), before starting her own group in Graz. With her team, she uses cutting-edge fluorescence microscopy across various aging models to understand the cellular processes that drive age-related diseases. Funded by multiple FWF grants, she has received honors including the Elisabeth Lutz Prize (Austrian Academy of Sciences) and the Award of Excellence from Austria's Ministry of Education and Research. She's also active in science communication and published *Der Code zum Jungbleiben*.

• Hanna Harutyunyan

  Unconventional Living, Space Exploration, Isolation, High Achievement

  Hanna Harutyunyan is a robotics engineer, analog astronaut, and founder and CEO of the space-tech startup Astra Mindcore. Widely recognized for her pioneering work in robotics, and space simulation research, she has completed high-fidelity lunar and Martian simulation deployments across Europe, including the ESA-supported Axiom-4 simulated analog mission where she was the yiungest crew onboard and served as a mission engineer. In her TEDx talk, Hanna explores the unspoken realities of this unconventional trajectory, the isolation of high achievement, the skepticism faced as a young pioneer, and how forging an uncharted path becomes the ultimate launchpad for deeper space innovation.

• Isabella Ošaben

  Public Speaking, Business Psychology, Sales Psychology, Women Empowerment

  Isabella Ošaben is a keynote speaker, speaker coach and business consultant with more than 20 years of stage experience. Originally trained in musical theatre and acting, she has performed on stage for years and now combines her background in performance with a Bachelor of Arts in Business, specializing in Business Psychology, as well as expertise in sales psychology, marketing and personal impact. Her work is centered around one powerful belief: words can change the world. Under her motto, “Speak to Change the World,” Isabella inspires people to use their voice, presence and message to create positive impact – whether they are speaking to one person or thousands.

• Lars-Peter Kamolz

  Regenerative Medicine, Innovation, Research, Robotics

  Lars-Peter Kamolz, M.D., M.Sc., is a surgeon, scientist, innovator, and academic leader dedicated to shaping the future of medicine. Since 2012, he has been Professor and Head of the Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Medical University of Graz. He also serves as Deputy Chief Medical Officer of LKH-University Hospital Graz. Since 2018, he has been Director of COREMED at JOANNEUM RESEARCH, and since 2023, he has served as Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Medical University of Graz. His scientific work focuses on one central question: How can we turn today’s scientific discoveries into tomorrow’s medicine? His research spans regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, wound healing, burn care, healthy ageing, precision medicine, patient safety, and emerging medical technologies. His work explores how artificial intelligence, robotics, digital technologies, and regenerative approaches can transform healthcare and redefine what is medically possible.

• Monique Kozlakidis

  Digital Health Literacy, Health Equity and Policy, Inclusive Digital Health Systems Design Communications

  Monique Kozlakidis has a naturally international, multilingual life-perspective: born to immigrant parents and grandparents and brought up in South Africa, she has lived in both UK and USA, and now has a multi-lingual, multinational household. As Project Manager at the Nanopoulos Foundation, Monique is focused on implementing projects within the AI Digital Health Hub. She has a particular focus on building supportive, well informed open communities and communications, and turning that engagement into strong stakeholder relationships and sustainable impact. Monique believes in the potential of AI to improve health outcomes and access, and proudly supports the Foundation's goals of advancing health equity through open dialogue and global collaboration by bring together diverse voices across disciplines, cultures and career stages, championing inclusive, accessible dialogue that connects international perspectives with local impact.

• Pamela Waked

  Biomedical Scientist; Sex & Gender Medicine; Translational Research; Science Communicator

  Pamela Waked is a biomedical scientist with a background in biochemistry and biomedical sciences and a strong interest in the intersection of science, health, technology, and society. Her research experience spans molecular and translational medicine, with a particular interest in understanding how biological differences shape health and disease. Beyond research, Pamela is passionate about science communication, global health advocacy, and strengthening the dialogue between science, policy, and society. Her international experiences across the Middle East and Europe have shaped her curiosity about how scientific knowledge translates into real-world impact. She believes that asking better questions—and challenging assumptions we often take for granted—is essential to building a more thoughtful and inclusive future for science and healthcare.

• Simon Walch

  Adaptive Sports, Assistive Technology, Resilience, Enablement

  Simon Walch is a mechanical engineer, entrepreneur, inventor, and passionate advocate for adaptive mountain biking based in Graz, Austria. He holds a PhD in mechanical engineering and has been working at the intersection of engineering, mobility, outdoor sports, and adaptive technology since 2007. Simon is the founder and managing director of RESET Adaptive Mountain Bike Solutions and the inventor of the Ranger, an adaptive mountain bike developed to give people with disabilities the opportunity to experience the freedom, independence, and adventure of riding in a completely new way. Through his work, he has helped shape the field of adaptive mountain biking and continues to explore how technology and creative engineering can remove barriers rather than simply accepting them.

• Tommy Gospic

  Resilience, Leadership, Personal Development, Performance

  Tommy Gospic is a former professional tennis player, entrepreneur and, for the past eight years, a coach specialising in sales, leadership and team development. At the age of 15, he left home to become a professional tennis player, his dream being to win Wimbledon. His father gave him three dollars to take with him – the very same money he had received in 1968, aged 18, when he left Yugoslavia. By the age of 21, the dream was over. He was left with debts amounting to the prize money from Wimbledon. Years later, his first business also failed. Coincidence, or a pattern? A victory masks many things; a defeat reveals them: fear, ego, routines – and sometimes an anchor that once helped but now holds you back. Through his work as a coach, Tommy draws connections between elite sport, entrepreneurship and the corporate world, and poses the question: what do we need to let go of in order to move forward?