Articles in Category: Profiles & Bios

Felisa Wolfe-Simon (Biologist/Biogeochemist)

Susan notes: Felisa Wolfe-Simon is one of 15 amazing women on stage at #TED2011. We're working hard to get TED to work harder on gender parity.  ADD YOUR VOICE HERE.

felisa_wolfe-simon.jpgFelisa Wolfe-Simon is an American microbial geobiologist and biogeochemist.

She is a NASA research fellow in residence at the US Geological Survey and a member of the NASA Astrobiology Institute, Wolfe-Simon led a team that discovered GFAJ-1, an extremophile bacterium that they claimed is capable of substituting arsenic for a small percentage of its phosphorus and sustain its growth.

Wolfe-Simon did her undergraduate studies at Oberlin College and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Chemistry and a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance and Ethnomusicology at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Edith Widder (Deep Sea Explorer)

Susan notes: Edith Widder is one of 15 amazing women on stage at #TED2011. We're working hard to get TED to work harder on gender parity.  ADD YOUR VOICE HERE.

widder_edith.jpgDr. Edith “Edie” Widder is a biologist and deep-sea explorer who is applying her expertise in oceanographic research and technological innovation to reversing the worldwide trend of marine ecosystem degradation.

Edie graduated Magna cum laude from Tufts University where she received her BS Degree in Biology. She then went on to earn a Masters Degree in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Neurobiology awarded by the University of California in Santa Barbara.

Two years after completing her Ph.D., Dr. Widder became certified as a Scientific Research Pilot for Atmospheric Diving Systems.

Christina Lampe-Onnerud (Battery Pioneer)

Susan notes: Christina Lampe-Omeruf is one of 15 amazing women on stage at #TED2011. We're working hard to get TED to work harder on gender parity.  ADD YOUR VOICE HERE.

christina_lampe-onnerud.jpgDr. Christina Lampe-Önnerud is a well-known authority in the battery industry. She has pioneered the use of lithium-ion and other materials to deliver more powerful, longer lasting, safer, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable batteries for applications ranging from laptops to electric vehicles and utility energy storage.

Prior to founding Boston-Power, Dr. Lampe-Önnerud was one of the youngest partners ever appointed at Arthur D. Little/TIAX, where she ran the company's globally-renowned battery labs, defined strategies for the world's top chemical and battery organizations, and directed high-profile market evaluations.

Carol Queen (Sociologist/Sexologist)


carol_queen.jpgCarol Queen is an American author, editor, sociologist and sexologist active in the sex-positive feminism movement. Queen has written on human sexuality in books such as Real Live Nude Girl: Chronicles of Sex-Positive Culture.

She has written a sex tutorial, Exhibitionism for the Shy: Show Off, Dress Up and Talk Hot, as well as erotica, such as the novel The Leather Daddy and the Femme. Queen has produced adult movies, events, workshops and lectures.

Queen was featured as an instructor and star in both installments of the Bend Over Boyfriend series about female-to-male anal sex, or pegging. She has also served as editor for compilations and anthologies. She is a sex-positive sex educator in the United States.

In 1975, Queen helped to found GAYouth, one of the first youth organizations for gays and lesbians, in Eugene, Oregon, where she was studying Sociology.

When University leadership demanded the names of all GAYouth members, the organization was soon dismantled so as to not compromise the privacy of its members.

Beatrice Coron (Artist)

Susan notes: Beatrice Coron is one of 15 amazing women who will take the stage at TED 2011. We're working hard to get TED to work harder on gender parity.  ADD YOUR VOICE HERE.

beatrice_coron.jpgAfter studying art at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts of Lyon, and studying Mandarin Chinese at the Université of Lyon III, Coron worked in tourism for over ten years (later as a New York City tour guide).

Coron has lived in France (her native country) , Egypt and Mexico for one year, each and China for two years before moving to New York in 1985.

Coron's career took her from illustration to bookarts, fine arts and now public art. Public art was a natural evolution to place stories with shared memories in the public realm. Rather than leaving an expression for another, her work makes artist books for viewer to step in, or fine arts with illustration methods.