2016: Science & Innovation – Improving Access

Discussing innovations changing the world by bringing the advantages of science and science education to the world, including those without traditional access to higher education.

Science & Innovation: Improving Access to Science Education and Resources from The Future of Humanity: Digital Divide Conference

Panelists:

Lou Auguste (@TeamLiveLonger)

Dhaval Palsana (@dhavalpalsana)

Amy Kraft (@mediamacaroni)

Jeff Gomez (@Jeff_Gomez)

Moderator: Michael Watson (@MichaelDWatson1)

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Moderator: Michael Watson (@MichaelDWatson1)

Michael Watson is an editor and social media strategist. Currently working for The History Channel as a Producer and Editor, his past work includes writing and editing for the educational Youtube Network, Vsauce, and running logistics for the social media campaign for the 2013 Oscar nominated documentary, "The Square." In 2015 he sailed through the Pacific Ocean garbage patch to collect plastic samples to send to the Ocean Cleanup Project.

Amy Kraft (@mediamacaroni)

Amy is a game designer, writer, producer, and strategist with over 15 years specializing in children’s media. She co-founded Monkey Bar Collective, creator of the Monkey Spot Scavenger Hunts app. Her work includes games and ebooks for companies including Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Spin Master, Microsoft, Barnes and Noble, Speakaboos, Hooked on Phonics, Leap Frog, and Sylvan. Amy is passionate about getting kids involved in game design, leading workshops in Scratch and card game design in a NYC public school. She has blogged about kids’ games and media for Wired’s GeekMom.com, Scholastic Parents, and her own blog, Media Macaroni. Amy lives in New York City with her husband and two kids.

Dhaval Palsana (@dhavalpalsana)

Dhaval is an Engineer and maker with extensive experience in product design and computer vision. He is co-founder at Alexapath at where they are trying to make cancer diagnosis more accessible by integrating smartphones and low cost hardware design. As a lead engineer he is responsible for the overall product design and our proprietary imaging stitching algorithm. Apart from this he is a 3d printing enthusiast and loves making things as a maker, He has worked on numerous robotic projects and strongly believes that imaginations can be transformed into reality through progress in science and technology, an example of which is robots, intelligent creatures designed to perform complicated tasks. He holds a B.Tech in Mechatronics Engineering from Ganpat Univeristy, India and M.S in Mechanical Engineering from NYU.

Lou Auguste (@TeamLiveLonger)

Lou Auguste was born in Queens, NY. A recovering film maker, Lou has been developing mobile apps since 2012. His company AlexaPath is based in Brooklyn, NY. Together with co-founder Dhaval Palsana, Auguste has developed a technique called mobile Whole Slide Imaging or mWSI. mWSI is smart phone medical slide imaging. Their solution is part hardware and part software, allowing the user to turn any standard light microscope into a powerful digital imaging device. AlexaPath is currently working with the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE) to create screening programs for cervical cancer in Haiti.

Jeff Gomez (@Jeff_Gomez)

Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner Entertainment, has the greatest job in the universe: he designs, expands, and defends the integrity of some of the biggest blockbuster worlds in all of pop culture! Jeff served as a creator for the story worlds of Magic: The Gathering, Turok Dinosaur Hunter N64, Hot Wheels World Race, and Coca-Cola Happiness Factory.

As the most renowned Transmedia Producer in the entertainment industry, Jeff takes blockbuster movies, hit videogames, and major toy brands, and develops and extends their fictional worlds across multiple media platforms. He also serves as an advisor and consultant on global trends in technology, youth culture, and social media to studio heads, publishers, licensing agencies, C-suite executives, and government leaders.

Jeff has worked on such exciting franchises as Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean, James Cameron’s Avatar, Hasbro’s Transformers, Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man, 343 Studios’ Halo, and Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He also teaches transmedia storytelling for social good to non-profits, educational institutions and non-government organizations across the globe, including Mexico, Colombia, Australia, and the Middle East and North Africa region.

Growing up on the rough streets of New York City, Jeff has always championed the causes of young people. His Never Surrender! seminars teach kids how to deal with bullies, and he regularly provides career counseling to imaginative teens and young adults who are facing challenges in life.