Gurjot Chand

Public servant, Scientist

Gurjot is a recent graduate of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she earned a Master of Health Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. With a strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology from her undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, she brings over six years of research experience, including work on EBV, HSV, melanoma, and breast cancer. In addition to her academic work, Gurjot is a nationally certified EMT and public health advocate. She has served with the Baltimore County Volunteer Fire Department and worked as a Baltimore City Fire Department contracted EMT. At a state level, Gurjot has been involved in various public health projects targeting food insecurity and health care access. Her work focuses on the intersection of science, service, and equity, focusing on building healthier, more resilient communities. As the 2022–2023 Co-Curator of TEDxJHU, Gurjot led the organizing team in successfully producing three TEDxJHU Salon events and a flagship university-wide event. Under her leadership, the team curated diverse speaker lineups, managed event logistics, and created spaces for powerful conversations around innovation, equity, and impact.

I am passionate about increasing access to health care. Through my work as an EMT, researcher, and public health advocate, I’ve seen how barriers, like cost, location, and social determinants, can prevent people from getting the care they need. I am committed to creating health policy that ensures everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life.

“We Don't Just Save Lives—We Build Systems That Let People Live” Emergency medicine is often viewed solely as a response to crisis—a flashing light, a 911 call, a life on the line. But what if those moments were more than emergencies? What if they were warning signs of systems failing long before the sirens blare? Drawing from her experience as an EMT, Gurjot has seen firsthand how many calls for help stem not just from acute illness or injury, but from chronic gaps in housing, food access, and preventive care. Her idea challenges us to rethink emergency response as a lens for public health reform—arguing that the same people who save lives at the scene can also help design systems that keep people from reaching crisis in the first place. By bridging frontline experience with upstream policy change, we can move from reactive care to proactive well-being.

Biochemistry, Biology, Emergency Medicine, Event Mangement, Public Health, Public Speaking

I first got involved with TEDx as a freshman in college, drawn in by the simple but powerful idea that everyone has a story worth telling. Over the years, TEDxJHU became more than just an event—it became a platform for connection. I had the privilege of working alongside people from all walks of life, helping them share their passions, causes, and niche ideas with a wider audience. From curating talks to leading events, TEDx taught me the value of listening deeply and amplifying voices that often go unheard. I carry that same mission forward every day: to tell stories that inform and inspire change.