2021 Speaker

Dr. Criswell is a cell biologist and studies how skeletal muscle regenerates after injury, how regeneration changes as we age, and what can be done about it.

Dr. Yun’s interest is in creating lab-based brain tissue devices, which will help researchers learn how different brain diseases work and how different medicines and toxins affect the brain.

Dr. Sheeba Dawood is a nanoscientist and CEO and co-founder of Minerva Lithium LLC. Dawood leveraged lithium-trapping technology she developed as a doctoral student into her spin-off company, which aims to disrupt the energy storage industry.

Candace Liger is the founder of The Center For Body Autonomy, which promotes safe, healthy, and inclusive environments for bodies to thrive.

Virtuoso guitarist, singer and composer Vicki Genfan draws from folk, jazz, pop, soul and world music.

Brianna Tam, originally from Connecticut, is a professional classical and electric cellist and composer.

Dr. Omoanghe “Omon” Isikhuemhen is a professor of mushroom science and fungal biotechnology whose research centers on the science and technology we need to mass produce and utilize mushrooms for food, pleasure, and healthy living.

As an assistant professor of medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill, she sees patients and teaches future medical practitioners.

Peter Warmka is a former CIA intelligence officer with over 20 years of experience in breaching the security of organizations overseas, through the artful manipulation of insiders. He is the founder of the Counterintelligence Institute LLC and author of a nonfiction best seller about his experiences.

Matt Anderson is a social worker with a vision to transform the child welfare system.