Theme: Innovate to Elevate

The goal of hosting a TEDxClemsonU the university event with the theme "Innovate to Elevate" is to catalyze a culture of innovation, collaboration, and positive change within the university community, empowering individuals to elevate their ideas, aspirations, and impact on the world. We want to empower students, support academic excellence, address community challenges, and cultivate a culture of innovation.

Strom Thurmond Institute Auditorium
The Strom Thurmond Institute - Clemson University
Silas Pearman Blvd
Clemson, South Carolina, 29634-0125
United States

Alexander Brown

Political Science graduate

Alexander Brown, a Clemson University alum, is a public affairs professional specializing in political management and policy analysis. He has held roles at the US Small Business Administration, the Democratic National Committee, and the Department of Defense, strengthening legislative affairs, economic policy, and strategic communications. Awarded a Special Congressional Recognition for Service, he hosts the podcast "The Root of All with Alexander Brown," discussing political and social issues.

Andrew Hurley

Professor of Packaging Science at Clemson University

Dr. Andrew Hurley will present an investigation into the environmental impacts of the six billion meal bar wrappers produced annually in the USA. His talk will reveal how consumers perceive the environmental friendliness of package design and how this perception changes when they are confronted with the actual environmental consequences.

Andrew Lambrecht

Industrial Engineering Student

Andrew Lambrecht is a senior industrial engineering major at Clemson University. He is a freelance writer and has worked at various EV firms, including Lucid Motors. With a brimming schedule, he strives for efficiency in his day-to-day work and activities.

Angela Gardner

Women in Construction Podcast Co-Host

Angela Gardner and Christi Powell have innovatively created a podcast and platform to share stories about women whose role is in a non traditional field. We've created an online forum to connect women and help them find jobs that are female friendly, and making our industry better by showing what women need to prosper in non traditional roles.

Carlos Garcia

Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Carlos D Garcia is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and his research is focused on the development of integrated analytical approaches that span from highly specialized instrumentation to simple paper-based devices. Applications of these projects include the quantification of biomedically-relevant analytes, the design of biocatalysts, and the implementation of artificial intelligence to address analytical problems.

Christi Powell

Women in Construction Podcast Co-Host

Angela Gardner Christi Powell have innovatively created a podcast and platform to share stories about women whose role is in a non traditional field, weve created an online forum to connect women and help them find jobs that are female friendly. Making our industry better by showing what women need to prosper in non traditional roles.

Elizabeth Caldwell

Disability Rights Activist

Elizabeth Caldwell is a senior genetics major at Clemson and was named a 2024 Truman Scholar. She uses her personal experiences with a dynamic disability to drive innovation in the areas of physical and social accessibility, healthcare, policy, and rare disease research.

Golnaz Arastoopour Irgens

Assistant Professor of Human Centered Learning Technologies

Golnaz Arastoopour Irgens is assistant professor of human-centered learning technologies at Vanderbilt University. She designs digital learning environments with and for children. Her research explores how children think about ethical issues with Artificial Intelligence and how children design amazing technologies that benefit them and their communities.

Kathryn Kisska-Schulze

Associate Professor in the School of Accountancy

Kathryn Kisska-Schulze is an Associate Professor in the School of Accountancy at the Powers College of Business. A former practicing attorney, her research and teaching areas focus on Business. Tax, and Sports Law. Seven years ago, following personal tragedy, she embarked on a personal journey to refind joy in her life again.

Lori Trudell

Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship

Dr. Lori Trudell is an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Department of Management in the Wilbur O. and Ann Power's College of Business at Clemson University. Growing up on her family's South Georgia farm taught her to value hard work, integrity, and the value of being a self-starter. Her research specifically focuses on entrepreneurial ecosystems, how ventures strategize in the face of crises, and the processes through which entrepreneurs thrive.

Ramakrishna Podila

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Prof. Podila earned his MS in Physics from IIT Roorkee in 2007 and his Ph.D. from Clemson University in 2011. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Brody School of Medicine (2011-14), focusing on nanomedicine. Joining Clemson as assistant professor in 2015, he became tenured associate professor in 2021. Honors include Roaring 10 Alumni and Rising Star in Discovery awards. With 90 publications, 8500 citations, h-index of 51, he holds two US patents on energy.