TEDxCU

Speakers

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

• Aimee Bernard

  Immunologist & Science Communicator

  Aimee Bernard is a PhD immunologist with expertise in medical education and science communication. Through her work training graduate students and medical trainees, she has seen firsthand how often scientists are expected to communicate clearly without ever being taught how. She leads and contributes to science communication initiatives that help researchers translate complex ideas into clear language for public, clinical, and policy audiences. Drawing on years of teaching, mentoring, and real world experience, her work focuses on making science more human, accessible, and impactful. In this TEDx talk, she brings an insider perspective on why communication training is an essential part of scientific education.

• Ben Forman

  Gen-Z Digital Wellness Activist

  Ben Forman is a Gen-Z digital wellness activist, Carnegie Young Leader, and founder of the Kizzuna Connection Company. He grew up in the first generation to experience childhood fully shaped by smartphones and social media; and spent years addicted to Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube before recognizing the toll it was taking. That lived experience became the foundation of his work. Ben has worked with young people nationwide to thrive in a digital age. He is a sought-after voice on the intersection of technology, childhood independence, and community, and believes the solution to our youth mental health crisis comes not just from screen policy, but space for young people.

• Benji Billman

  Math Teacher

  My name is Benji Billman, and I’ve been teaching high school and middle school mathematics for over 17 years. I’ve taught every class from 6th grade math, through Pre-Calculus. My whole life, I’ve been good at math, because it comes naturally to me. My job is helping students see math the way I see it. My goal is to find math that excites and empowers students.

• Doris Yuen

  First-generation Chinese American Restaurateur

  Doris Yuen is a first-generation Chinese American restaurateur, storyteller, and community builder. As co-owner of MAKfam, a James Beard Foundation and Michelin Guide recognized restaurant, she brings her third-culture upbringing to life through tradition inspired Chinese cuisine and a people first approach to hospitality. In a state where the AANHPI community remains underrepresented, Doris uses her platform to uplift others and invest in organizations like Asian Girls Ignite and Colorado Asian Pacific United. She is a vocal advocate for cultural accuracy in food and unapologetically challenges the long-standing stigma around MSG. Through her work and storytelling, Doris is committed to dismantling misinformation and reclaiming the narrative around Chinese food.

• Kya Leptrone

  Stuttering Advocate & Social Media Influencer

  Kya is a student at University of Colorado Boulder majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS). She is also a social media influencer and TikToker who uses her platform to raise awareness about stuttering and communication diversity. Drawing from personal experience, she challenges societal norms around fluency and success, encouraging others to embrace their voices and define success on their own terms. Her work focuses on confidence, identity, and breaking down stigma in everyday conversations.

• Leo Heuring

  Robot Builder & American Ninja Warrior

  Leo Heuring is a CU Boulder student and Learning Assistant in the Creative Technology and Design program who builds dynamic robotic systems from 3D-printed parts, motors, and electronics. For the past two years, he has been developing his robot Corndog to help others learn STEM through playful, hands-on interaction, aiming to make it as beginner friendly as possible. He has presented Corndog and other projects at Open Sauce, a large maker event showcasing odd applications of technology. His work sits at the intersection of robotics, creativity, and education, exploring how building machines can help people think differently about technology, intention, and learning. Outside the workshop, Heuring was also a semifinalist on American Ninja Warrior season 17, reflecting the persistence and problem-solving that shape his work.

• Vik Bebarta

  Emergency Physician & U.S. Air Force Colonel

  Dr. Vik Bebarta is an emergency physician, U.S. Air Force Reserve Colonel, and Chair of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado (CU). He is the founding director of the CU Center for COMBAT Research, where he leads efforts to accelerate how medical discoveries move from the front lines to everyday care. With experience treating patients in both combat zones and civilian emergency departments, his work focuses on trauma care, brain injury, and rapid clinical innovation. His research has influenced national policy and helped translate military medical advances into civilian healthcare systems. Through his leadership, he is working to shorten the time it takes for life-saving innovations to reach patients and communities.