What is happiness, and how can we cultivate it? This talk explores the science of happiness, its hormonal roots, practical formulas, and how to develop an optimistic mindset while deflecting negative thoughts. He graduated as the top student from Istanbul Atatürk High School and earned his medical degree with honors from Hacettepe University in 1984. He completed his Internal Medicine residency in 1990 and his Medical Oncology subspecialty training in 1992. He became an Associate Professor in 1993 and a Professor in 1998.In 1995, he worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center on clinical research management. He is a member of ESMO, ASCO, and other scientific organizations. For 15 years, he has been the editor of the International Journal of Hematology and Oncology and serves on multiple editorial boards.He has received several awards, including the Şeref Zileli Best Assistant Award (1990), Hacettepe Best Clinical Research Award (1996), European Certification in Medical Oncology (1997), Turkish Cancer Society Best Research Award (2001), and European Journalist Union Scientist of the Year Award (2009). His research focuses on cancer treatment innovations, metastasis biology, and angiogenesis. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

2009 Paralympic Archery World Champion and 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games Archery Gold Medalist, Gizem Girişmen shares her inspiring story of life, resilience, and achievement on the TEDx stage. Gizem Girişmen is a Turkish para-archer.She is the 2009 World Para Archery Champion and the 2008 Paralympic Games Archery Champion in Beijing. She is the first female athlete in Turkish history to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games. Additionally, she was the first Turkish athlete to be nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Smell is not just a sense—it's a chemical communication system closely tied to memory. This talk delves into the science of scent, exploring the olfactory bulb, the language of terpenes, and the impact of modified scent training on individuals who have lost their sense of smell. Prof. Dr. Aytuğ Altundağ was born in 1978 in Bolu, Turkey. He graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 2002 and completed his ENT residency at Istanbul Göztepe Training and Research Hospital in 2008.After fulfilling his military and mandatory service, he worked at Bosphorus Anatomica ENT Hospital and later at Istanbul Cerrahi Hospital. In 2017, he established his private practice while also joining Acıbadem Taksim Hospital. Since 2019, he has been part of the ENT Department at Biruni University Faculty of Medicine.Specializing in nasal and sinus surgery, sleep apnea, allergies, smell and taste disorders, and voice diseases, he also trained at Prof. Dr. Thomas Hummel’s Smell and Taste Clinic in Germany. In 2020, he earned the title of Professor and continues his medical and academic career. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if chasing the skies meant starting from the ground, with nothing but your will? Sirisha Raju dreamed of flying long before she could even afford a window seat. Born to humble beginnings and drawn to the science of flight, she was fascinated by physics and the idea of becoming a pilot. But without the financial means, the dream had to wait.Unlike most pilots who take off in their early 20s, Sirisha earned her wings nearly a decade later — after years of working and saving every rupee to fund her training.In this deeply moving talk, Sirisha shares how persistence, patience, and purpose can sometimes take longer to take off, but when they do, they soar.Her story is a reminder of how far courage can take you — the kind that stays steady through silence, sacrifice, and self-belief. And when matched with the right financial support, dreams like hers find the wings they need to rise. Sirisha Raju is a trailblazing pilot whose journey from a small village in Odisha to the cockpit is a powerful story of courage, grit, and determination. Raised in a modest household with limited resources, Sirisha defied societal norms and expectations to pursue her childhood dream of flying. With no direct access to aviation, she studied aeronautical engineering, worked odd jobs, and battled financial hardships and social barriers. Beginning her flying career at 27—ten years later than most—she overcame immense obstacles, including the setbacks of the pandemic, to become a certified pilot. Supported by the unwavering belief of her parents, Sirisha has now flown over 50 aircraft and stands as a symbol of resilience and inspiration. Her story resonates far beyond aviation, encouraging anyone who faces fear, limitation, or doubt to keep striving. Today, Sirisha is not just a pilot—she is a beacon for every dreamer daring to rise above the odds. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

"What does it take to walk away from everything society calls “secure” and build a life that’s truly your own?Supriya Donthi grew up rooted in a middle-class upbringing, excelling at school, chasing a job she was deeply passionate about. But, one defining incident and a leap of faith led her to a discovery, preserved botanical jewellery, a niche concept thriving in the West but unheard of in India. And so, in May 2016, Leafy Affair was born.From selling at flea markets to opening a flagship store, from being a solo hustler to leading a team that shares her dream, Supriya’s story is one of grit, growth, and grace. This is a talk for every dreamer stuck at the crossroads, reminding you that when you choose yourself, the world eventually follows.Her story is a powerful reminder that courage doesn’t always begin with a plan — sometimes, it begins with a pause, a pivot, and the courage to start over. And with the right financial backing, her dream has taken root — growing into a brand that now inspires others to believe in their own." Turning Nature into Wearable Art with Leafy Affair Supriya Donthi’s journey with Leafy Affair—India’s first botanical lifestyle brand—is a powerful story of courage, clarity, and creativity. A biotech graduate with no background in jewelry design, Supriya dared to chase an unconventional dream: to bring nature closer to people by turning real flowers, seeds, and natural elements into wearable art. Born into a middle-class family and often told that her place was in the kitchen, Supriya chose not to conform. Inspired by Einstein’s words—“Look deep into nature, and you will understand everything better”—she believed in her vision and backed it with resilience. When she discovered terrarium jewelry in 2016, a concept unheard of in India at the time, she instantly knew this was her calling. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if the loudest voice holding you back… is your own? In this powerful and witty talk, Taruna Ramani unpacks the idea of the "Inner Script Writer"—that critical inner voice that convinces us we're not good enough. Blending storytelling with humor, she shows how everyday self-doubt shrinks our potential and how we can rewrite the scripts that no longer serve us. It’s time to stop playing small—and start being the author of your own story. Taruna is a public speaking coach with a storyteller’s soul and a survivor’s spirit. Her coaching style is part science, part strategy, and 100% grounded in real life. In 2016, faced with an unexpected pause in life, Taruna reimagined her work—and her purpose. She used that time to rebuild, refocus, and redefine what impact truly meant—rewriting public speaking programs, launching a podcast on mindset and resilience, and turning to bold fashion photography as a way to reclaim joy, beauty, and a sense of self beyond the moment. Today, she coaches adults and TEDx speakers to speak with clarity, confidence, and conviction—helping them refine their message, own their voice, and command a room. Whether she’s preparing a speaker for the red dot, coaching a leader to own the room, or creating platforms for young voices to be heard, Taruna brings curiosity, resilience, and a bold splash of flair to everything she does. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx