TEDxPESU

Speakers

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

• Deepti Navaratna

  T.V. Raman Pai Chair Professor, NIAS, IISc

  Dr. Deepti Navaratna is a neuroscientist and musician whose research bridges cognitive neuroscience, music cognition, and the humanities, exploring how the brain encodes sound, rhythm, and meaning. She earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of New Mexico (2008) and subsequently served as an Assistant Neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (2008–2013). Currently, as the T.V. Raman Pai Chair Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, her work focuses on neurohumanities - the scientific study of meaning-making in the brain through symbolic systems. Furthermore, she served as the Executive and Regional Director of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Bengaluru (2016–2021), leading programs on Indian knowledge systems. Her career is globally recognized for its rare synthesis of scientific rigor and cultural depth, exemplified by distinctions like the Clore International Fellowship.

• Nidhi Srivatsa

  Academician, Lawyer, Certified Yoga Practitioner

  Nidhi Srivatsa is an Assistant Professor of Law at PES University whose work elegantly bridges intellectual property, cultural heritage, and wellness practices. She holds a B.A. LL.B and an LL.M in Intellectual Property & Trade Law from Christ (Deemed to be University) and is pursuing her Ph.D. in Law. Recognized as Best Paper Presenter at IIT Kharagpur, HNLU Raipur, and MNLU Aurangabad, she actively speaks on IP rights, culture, and legal education reform. A certified yoga instructor from SVYASA Yoga University with over a decade of experience, Nidhi has led international workshops on mindfulness and breathwork. As a National Level Yoga Referee, she seamlessly blends law, wellness, and culture to foster innovation grounded in authenticity and inclusivity.

• Pooja Maheshwari Salwan

  Head of Business Development - Executive Education | CCE, Category Head of Fashion Tech at AJIO

  Pooja Maheshwari Salwan’s career is a story of transformation, spanning from the world of fashion to the world of education. At first glance they seem worlds apart, but for her, both are about the same thing: shaping personality and evoking confidence. In fashion, she helped people express themselves through what they wore. In education, she works for Executive Education, helping companies upskill, empower their teams, and lead with purpose. A lifelong learner, she has studied at SRCC, ISB, NYU, and Imperial, gathering experiences that sharpened her global outlook and strategic thinking. Today, she blends creativity with insight to inspire corporates to stand out with substance.

• Vijayagovindarajan

  ENT Consultant and Honorary Doctor, GVMCH

  Dr.VijayaGovindarajan completed his undergraduate and E.N.T. post-graduate education at Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar. He currently serves as an honorary doctor at Government Vellore Medical College and is a consultant at Mother India ENT Clinic, Vellore. As a professional in the field, he is renowned for his efforts to simplify the complex subjects of E.N.T. using sketch diagrams and hand models. Passionate about making E.N.T. easy to grasp, he shares his knowledge by giving lectures nationally and internationally. Additionally, he actively serves in rural areas to ensure that even remote communities benefit from specialty consultations. Coming from a family rooted in public transport, he continues a 30-year legacy of community service.

• Virupakshappa Hovale

  Head of Industrial Robotics and Automation at L&T

  Virupakshappa K. Hovale holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Mysore University and has completed management and innovation programs from XIM Bhubaneswar, IIM Kashipur, and EMERITUS. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate at Golden Gate University, San Francisco. With over 30 years of experience in industrial automation, robotics, IoT, and energy systems, he has driven growth across India, South Asia, and the APAC region. Author of the bestseller Unboxing Creativity, he promotes the “RID Formula”, Reinvention, Innovation, and Design Thinking. He currently leads the Industrial Robotics & Automation segment at Larsen & Toubro.

• Vivek Vijayakumaran

  Artistic Director - Our Theatre Collective

  Vivek Vijayakumaran is a multifaceted theatre artist with over 15 years of experience in acting, directing, training, and creating innovative performances. He has trained under legends like Padma Bhushan Heisnam Kanhailal and Guru G. Venu, as well as at Italy’s famed Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards. He is the recipient of the INLAKS India Theatre Award (2012) and also featured among Forbes India’s "12 boundary-pushing theatre innovators" (2015). As a director, Vivek has helmed productions like Imagine a Room, Just Hiss (children’s theatre), and the non-verbal piece IT IS YOU. His work has been supported by organisations including Arts Universe, the India-Sri Lanka Foundation, and the Ratan Tata Travel Grant. His performances include BHIMA, Girish Karnad’s Yayati, Bali - The Sacrifice, and many more. He currently leads Our Theatre Collective and Our Theatre Studio, nurturing experimental performance and actor training.