The Boston Globe - Ideas Boston 2004

A spirited mix of inspired thought leaders

Speakers have been selected from wide variety of sectors and disciplines, each a leader in their field. At IDEAS Boston 2004 you’ll have a chance to hear and interact with authors, technologists, physicians, composers, scientists, explorers, artists and educators. Their awards, patents, degrees, inventions and honors are too numerous to mention. But they come together in a unique gathering to share their insights, ideas, and intellectual passions.

Special Guest Moderator Tom Ashbrook of WBUR's "On Point".

Speakers confirmed to date include:
Mahzarin R. Banaji, Ph.D. - Psychologist How our unconscious prejudices and attitudes conflict with conscious beliefs and individual responsibility is the focus of this noted Harvard psychologist’s research.
Angela Belcher, Ph.D. - Nanotechnologist MIT professor combines genetics, biology, engineering, and computer science to manipulate virus genes into building blocks for microscopic transistors, connectors, and computer chips.
Kim B. Blair, Ph.D. - Sports Technologist Aerospace engineer, founding director of the Center for Sports Innovation, and member of Team Psycho, an elite triathlon club, uses technology to improve athletic products and performance.
Barry Bluestone, Ph.D. - Economist The presidential consultant and Northeastern University political economist is also a founding member of the Economic Policy Institute, the first organization to focus on the economic conditions of low- and middle-income American families.
Susan Briggs, M.D. - Trauma Surgeon An internationally renowned MGH trauma surgeon who specializes in emergency response to large-scale disasters anywhere in the world.
Rodney A. Brooks, Ph.D. - Robotics Specialist Author of "Flesh and Machines: How Robots Will Change Us," and featured in an Errol Morris documentary, the A.I. expert is working on ways for robots to actually "think" rather than just perform programmed tasks.
James J. Collins, Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineer BU professor and MacArthur Fellow, he combines physics and biology to transform cells into microscopic computers that could someday help solve health problems.
Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio - Architects, Designers Merging visual arts, architecture, and the performing arts has gained this husband and wife team high-profile commissions like the new Institute for Contemporary Art on Fan Pier.
Juan Enriquez - Author, Life Science Expert The futurist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author of a ground-breaking book on how genomics and other forces are changing life, work, health and wealth.
Robert B. Gagosian, Ph.D. - Oceanographer A marine organic geochemist in search of solutions to global warming, dwindling energy resources, and depleted fishing stocks in the world's vastly unexplored oceans. He is President and Director of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Arthur Ganson, Ph.D. - Sculptor Self-described as a cross between a mechanical engineer and a choreographer, Ganson is a kinetic sculptor who creates ingenious mechanical sculptures.
Osvaldo N. Golijov, Ph.D. - Composer, Music Professor A two-time Grammy nominee and MacArthur Genius Award winner, he creates contemporary classical works drawn from his Jewish heritage and Argentine homeland.
Leonard P. Guarente, Ph.D. - Biologist Calorie restriction and natural substances in red wine are part of this MIT molecular biologist's work on how to add decades to expected lifespans.
Dean Kamen - Inventor, Entrepreneur Renowned inventor of breakthrough medical and technology inventions like the Segway ™ Human Transporter (HT) and Independence ™ iBOT ™ 3000 Mobility System, and more recently, the "Slingshot", a mini-utility designed to provide affordable water and power to the developing world.
Tracy Kidder - Author The Pulitzer Prize winner's books offer insightful observations into the human experience. His subjects have included building a house, life in a small town, and a crusading local doctor who is transforming healthcare in Haiti.
Mark S. Klempner, M.D. - Physician A leader of Boston University's effort to build a bio-defense lab, and an expert in infectious diseases such as Lyme and Anthrax.
Raymond Kurzweil - Inventor, Entrepreneur The National Inventors Hall of Fame member and inventor of a reading machine for the blind is a pioneer in speech technology, synthesized music, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality.
Eric Lander, Ph.D. - Scientist A principal leader of the Human Genome Project and a driving force behind today's revolution in genomics. He is Director of the Broad Institute, recently created to apply genome research to medicine.
Robert S. Langer, Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineer One of the most prolific inventors in medicine (nearly 500 patents); leads groundbreaking research in organ and tissue replacement, growth hormones, and drug delivery technology.
Tod Machover - Musician, Composer and Inventor The MIT Media Lab professor seeks to change the way people listen to music by mixing acoustic and electronic sound, symphony orchestras and interactive computers, and rock and operatic arias.
Douglas A. Melton, Ph.D. - Biologist A molecular biologist specializing in embryology and pancreatic stem cell research, he created 17 stem cell lines and made them available to hundreds of medical researchers.
Julie Moir Messervy - Landscape Designer A creator of magical, healing, and inspirational gardens, this internationally known landscape designer collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma on the acclaimed Toronto Music Garden inspired by Bach.
Pedro Noguera, Ph.D. - Educator Urban sociologist and one of America's most important voices on education reform and diversity; committed to improving how schools respond to social and economic forces in urban environments.
Nawal M. Nour, M.D., MPH - Obstetrician MacArthur Fellow who founded the nation's first clinic to address the lifelong medical risks and emotional needs of female African immigrants who have been genitally circumcised.
John Palfrey - Attorney and Internet Privacy Specialist Legal expert on the Internet and democracy specializing in intellectual and technology law as it relates to electronic commerce, privacy issues and governance.
Steven Pinker, Ph.D. - Cognitive Scientist A professor of psychology at Harvard and author of many critically acclaimed books on language, mind, and human nature.
Stephen Prothero, Ph.D. - Professor of Religion An American religion historian known for his entertaining and well-researched look at religious and cultural practices in the U.S., from cremation to Jesus as a national icon.
Ilan Stavans, Ph.D. - Author PBS host and award-winning author documents the use of "Spanglish," the Spanish-English language equivalent of Ebonics, in his new book.
Sarah Sze - Artist Sze fills spaces and delights senses. The renowned artist and MacArthur Fellow transforms ordinary objects into gravity-defying works in horizontal and tower-like formations.
Julie Taymor - Director Acclaimed film, theater and opera director of such international hits as "The Lion King", with nine productions worldwide and "Frida," winner of two Academy Awards.
Bruce Walker, M.D. - Physician and AIDS Researcher Leading immunologist helping to develop inexpensive testing devices and life-saving, innovative HIV therapies crucial to poor regions of the world.
Gloria White-Hammond - Co-Pastor and Pediatrician Inner-city pediatric and adolescent specialist whose writing and mentorship program has won national acclaim. Also helped liberate over 9,000 Sudanese slaves as part of a ministerial coalition.










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