Resilience as a Tool to Succeed in Life and in Academia | Elena Manjavacas | TEDxJHU Salon
Elena Manjavacas was born in a farmer’s family in Mota del Cuervo (Cuenca, Spain), a small town in the area of La Mancha. She graduated in 2010 in Physics from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain). In 2011, she obtained her Master in Astrophysics from the Universidad Complutense and Autonoma de Madrid (Spain). While continuing studies 2011 to 2015 at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (Heidelberg, Germany), she completed her PhD thesis in the field of Low-Mass Stars, Brown Dwarfs and Exoplanets. Returning to Spain in 2015, she held her first postdoctoral position at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC), where she worked on Astronomical Instrumentation. In 2016 she accepted her second postdoctoral position, which brought her to the United States, working at the University of Arizona, where she worked on characterizing the clouds in Brown Dwarfs and Exoplanets’ atmospheres. At the conclusion of her postdoctoral position in late 2018, she transitioned to a position as Staff Astronomer at the W. M. Keck Observatory, in Hawaii, which she held from January 2019 through October 2020. Presently, Dr. Manjavacas resides in Baltimore, MD and is the ESA/AURA Astronomer at STScI for the NIRSpec instrument, onboard the JWST telescope. Elena Manjavacas was born in a farmer’s family in Mota del Cuervo (Cuenca, Spain), a small town in the area of La Mancha. She graduated in 2010 in Physics from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain). In 2011, she obtained her Master in Astrophysics from the Universidad Complutense and Autonoma de Madrid (Spain). While continuing studies 2011 to 2015 at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (Heidelberg, Germany), she completed her PhD thesis in the field of Low-Mass Stars, Brown Dwarfs and Exoplanets. Returning to Spain in 2015, she held her first postdoctoral position at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC). In 2016 she accepted her second postdoctoral position, working at the University of Arizona, where she worked on characterizing the clouds in Brown Dwarfs and exoplanets. In late 2018, she transitioned to a position as Staff Astronomer at the W. M. Keck Observatory, in Hawaii, which she held from January 2019 through October 2020. 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
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- 17:57How to Use the Magic of Mindset to Make Your Dreams Your Reality | Anthony Ware | TEDxJHU SalonAnthony’s journey is a testament to the power of transformation—from battling crippling social anxiety, deep self-doubt, and personal tragedy to stepping into a life of confidence, connection, and purpose. In this heartfelt and dynamic talk, Anthony shares how a devastating loss and a lifelong struggle with mindset led him to a moment of reinvention.Blending personal storytelling, lessons from the military, the art of magic, and the elegance of Argentine Tango, Anthony introduces his powerful AWE Framework: Awareness, Winning Mindset, and Empowerment. Through this lens, he shows audiences how to catch the thoughts that hold us back, reframe them, and lead our lives from a place of inner strength.Anthony’s message is clear: You already have what you need. Your Talents, Abilities, Gifts, and Strengths—your TAGS—are your tools for transformation."Your mind is the greatest magic trick you will ever master,” Anthony reminds us. “And when you do… that’s when your dreams become your reality.” Anthony Ware is dedicated to helping professionals on the cusp of leadership redefine their limits and step into their most empowered selves. A U.S. Army veteran, he understands the power of discipline, resilience, and strategic action—principles that have guided his own journey of transformation. His story is one of overcoming the odds. From battling crippling social anxiety and surviving kidney cancer to enduring personal loss and building a thriving entertainment business, he has turned adversity into fuel for growth. His signature AWAREof 2.0 framework is a powerful blueprint for breaking through self-doubt, overcoming perfectionism, and creating lasting change—with an essential ingredient: fun. With a unique blend of strategic coaching, real-world experience, and a touch of magic, Anthony empowers others to take decisive action toward their goals. His talk will reveal the mindset shifts and practical steps that create unstoppable personal transformation—one bold step at a time. 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
- 12:58Resilience as a Tool to Succeed in Life and in Academia | Elena Manjavacas | TEDxJHU SalonElena Manjavacas was born in a farmer’s family in Mota del Cuervo (Cuenca, Spain), a small town in the area of La Mancha. She graduated in 2010 in Physics from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain). In 2011, she obtained her Master in Astrophysics from the Universidad Complutense and Autonoma de Madrid (Spain). While continuing studies 2011 to 2015 at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (Heidelberg, Germany), she completed her PhD thesis in the field of Low-Mass Stars, Brown Dwarfs and Exoplanets. Returning to Spain in 2015, she held her first postdoctoral position at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC), where she worked on Astronomical Instrumentation. In 2016 she accepted her second postdoctoral position, which brought her to the United States, working at the University of Arizona, where she worked on characterizing the clouds in Brown Dwarfs and Exoplanets’ atmospheres. At the conclusion of her postdoctoral position in late 2018, she transitioned to a position as Staff Astronomer at the W. M. Keck Observatory, in Hawaii, which she held from January 2019 through October 2020. Presently, Dr. Manjavacas resides in Baltimore, MD and is the ESA/AURA Astronomer at STScI for the NIRSpec instrument, onboard the JWST telescope. Elena Manjavacas was born in a farmer’s family in Mota del Cuervo (Cuenca, Spain), a small town in the area of La Mancha. She graduated in 2010 in Physics from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain). In 2011, she obtained her Master in Astrophysics from the Universidad Complutense and Autonoma de Madrid (Spain). While continuing studies 2011 to 2015 at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (Heidelberg, Germany), she completed her PhD thesis in the field of Low-Mass Stars, Brown Dwarfs and Exoplanets. Returning to Spain in 2015, she held her first postdoctoral position at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC). In 2016 she accepted her second postdoctoral position, working at the University of Arizona, where she worked on characterizing the clouds in Brown Dwarfs and exoplanets. In late 2018, she transitioned to a position as Staff Astronomer at the W. M. Keck Observatory, in Hawaii, which she held from January 2019 through October 2020. 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
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