Gabriele Liaugodaite

Activist, Brainstormer, Christian, Connector, Event planner, Explorer, Foodie, Idea generator, Job-seeker, Marketer, Project manager, Scientist, Student

I am a student from Lithuania learning Biomedical Genetics at Newcastle University. Being challenge-driven I am passionate in the projects I undertake. I have found TED when I needed it the most as I had just moved away from my home and family and continue to participate in creating a supportive, open-minded environment to share ideas with the community and beyond since as the Vice-President of TEDx Newcastle University. I am eager to listen and help develop thought-provoking ideas into reality not just to adults but also small ones as I am a creativity camp counsellor in Lithuania and an older sister to 3 siblings. A chance to attend one of TED's events would be life changing for my personal and professional growth therefore it is a definite goal for my future self.

Honestly - every project I undertake. From refurbishment of an apartment to conference planning to DNA recombinations. I take great pleasure in working hard to create something unique that represents what I stand for and the world I believe in. I wish there was more time in a day as I am still learning to prioritise where my focus should be, but time management is a skill I work hard to develop and maintain. I am passionate about reducing plastic waste, discovering treatments for genetic diseases, sharing and baking treats, building honest and trust-worthy relationships, encouraging minorities to reach their full potential, showing eagerness in overcoming challenges, raising a generation of kindhearted world leaders, networking to discover thought-provoking opportunities, believing and supporting creative minds, having tea with mind-blowing discussions on a rainy afternoon, cruelty free products and so much more.

How to find a balance between building a career and creating a family? Finding and being able to maintain a healthy balance between the two is one of my ultimate goals of life as I have seen my mother and grandmother do that successfully through the lives they live and energy they spread. I work to create a better world each day and believe that this can be the most significantly marked by developing both professionally and personally as a future mother and wife. I could not describe myself without saying I'm both career and family-orientated. It has been this way since I was little and taught my dolls about plants and health care. That is why I prioritise my work and personal relationships carefully and choose the projects I undertake meticulously. I am still very young and am just starting my learning journey but even though I may have a bumpy road ahead of me I am fervent of where I am going and the life I build around me.

Baking, Biomedical Genetics, Customer-orientated attitude, Environmental footprint, Escape Rooms, Event planning, Hospitality, International Student, Management, Minimalism, Organisation, Poker, Self-care, Socialising, Strong women, Team building, Terrible Eye-sight, Watercolour painting

I come from a line of fearless women. My great grandmother was the first woman beekeeper who wrote a doctoral thesis on her research on bees and later became the first chair of the Plant Pathology Department in University of Kaunas (Lithuania). My grandmother is a bold, unique woman with incredible work ethic as she's a Physiology and Rehabilitation doctor and an Associate Professor in two best Medicine Universities in my native country, former women basketball player and also a huge part of my life from early childhood spending every summer teaching me courage, networking and self-care. She had magically managed to balance career and family by co-writing books in summers to spend time with her grandchildren and taking us to holidays or bringing me to work with her during term time. My grandmother taught me how to ski when I was only 7 years old and I have been going to skiing holidays with her and my grandfather since. She's full of passion for the life she has and spreads her caring energy everywhere she goes. And then there's my mother. My biggest inspiration and never doubting supporter. She's the reason I have had the opportunity to develop my personality and grow into a woman she can be proud of now. I came into my family when my mother had just started university and nevertheless while working full-time and raising me she managed to complete a bachelor and two master degrees creating herself a chance to work in a field that challenges and fulfills her in the same time. These 3 women are the reason I am passionate in what I do, bold in challenges I face and kind to souls I meet on my way. I am astonished by their strength and motivated by my grandmother's and mother's support in every step that I take. This is the reason I came to Newcastle upon Tyne for my bachelors in Biomedical Genetics and found TEDx Newcastle University. For 1.5 years now I am surrounded by challenge-driven, passionate people reaching for a brighter tomorrow for the community around us and beyond. I have been an active member of networking sessions, workshops and any other projects the society created including their 2019 Conference 'Build A Better World' where I shadowed that time President of TEDx Newcastle University and gave him a hand with any issues that arose during the day and maintaining the TEDx spirit throughout the event. This inspired me to be more involved with TED as I saw a grain of that what the whole idea of TED is and how powerful it can be when connecting passionate, similar mindset people from a variety of backgrounds. That's why this year I am a Vice-President of TEDx Newcastle University Society and have a hands-on opportunity to encourage people to share their stories with the community on a TEDx stage.

Baking! Even when I have my plate full I make sure to save my Saturday evenings for baking delicious treats for my loved ones. My latest project - Pumpkin Pie!