Theme: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers

In the heart of Tbilisi, where cultures meet and communities grow, TEDxTSMU 2025 returns with a powerful theme: Breaking Barriers. This year, we’re focusing on the obstacles that divide us and the breakthroughs that bring us closer.

Designed with Tbilisi’s diverse international community in mind, students, professionals, and entrepreneurs alike, TEDxTSMU is a space for voices that are too often overlooked. These are the stories of resilience, innovation, and deep empathy, stories that challenge the status quo and spark new ways of thinking. Whether it’s breaking down cultural stereotypes or addressing inequalities in healthcare and society, our speakers are here to inspire bold conversations and meaningful change.

As a medical university filled with students from all over the world, TSMU stands at a unique crossroads of perspectives and ideas. The experiences shared here reflect a global community, each story a reminder of the strength and insight that come from facing and overcoming challenges. TEDxTSMU is about amplifying those voices and creating a space where honest dialogue can lead to understanding and collaboration.

We invite you to join us for a day of thought-provoking talks and genuine connection. Let’s come together to explore how breaking barriers, big or small, can shape a more inclusive, compassionate, and united future.

TSMU
Vazha pshevala 33
Saburtalo, T'bilisi, 0160
Georgia

Benny Dayal

Musician

Benny Dayal is a dynamic playback singer and performer known for his electrifying energy and chart-topping hits across Bollywood, Kollywood, and Tollywood. With iconic songs like “Badtameez Dil” and “Daaru Desi,” he has worked with legends like A.R. Rahman and Pritam, captivating audiences worldwide. As the lead vocalist of Funktuation, Benny blends funk, pop, and soul into his music, making every performance an unforgettable experience. Benny Dayal is a musical force like no other with his unmatched versatility and stage presence.

Daro Sulakauri

Investigative Photographer

Daro Sulakauri is a Georgian investigative photographer and TED Fellow whose powerful and emotionally charged visual storytelling sheds light on critical social and political issues. Her work delves into themes such as conflict, displacement, human rights, and cultural identity, often focusing on underrepresented communities within Georgia and the Caucasus region. With an unflinching eye for truth and a deep sense of empathy, Daro’s photography has been featured in major international publications, earning her widespread recognition and numerous awards. Beyond documenting injustices, she uses her platform to ignite conversations and inspire action, making her a leading force in socially engaged photography.

Eman Elimam

Student

Eman Elimam is a final-year medical student currently pursuing her studies at Tbilisi State Medical University with a keen interest in neurosurgery. She has gained valuable clinical experience as a student trainee in neurosurgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, and Tanta University Hospitals in Egypt. Eman is actively involved in several organizations, including serving as an Advisory Board Member for the Walter E. Dandy Neurosurgical Society at TSMU, where she previously held the role of Head/Senator. She also led the research committee for the NeuroVation Research Symposium and is a neurosurgery Cohort 2 Scholar at Neuro Health Care 4 LMIC. Eman has been invited to speak at events, such as the OLCIAS Webinar on Brain Injury and Brain Stimulation.

Ezra Freeman

Content creator, TV Host

Ezra Freeman is a content creator, TV host, and digital storyteller whose journey spans continents, cultures, and communities. Adopted from Georgia in 1996 and raised in Maryland, USA, Ezra has spent the last four years building a vibrant online platform that bridges the gap between her Georgian roots and American upbringing. Her content, which blends humor, heart, and vulnerability, is a creative bridge for anyone navigating questions of identity and belonging. Through her viral videos and brand partnerships, Ezra has turned personal storytelling into a global conversation, showing that your most specific truth can be your most universal connection. Whether she’s reflecting on her childhood, her reunion with her birth family, or the unexpected ways social media can spark healing, Ezra’s voice is one of courage, curiosity, and contagious joy.

Giorgi Gagoshidze

Street Artist

Gagosh is a renowned Georgian street artist whose bold and expressive murals breathe life into urban landscapes. With a distinctive style that blends surrealism, social commentary, and Georgian cultural motifs, his work has transformed walls across Tbilisi and beyond into striking visual narratives. Gagosh’s art often explores identity, history, and modern societal issues, challenging passersby to engage with his thought-provoking imagery. His ability to turn neglected city corners into vibrant canvases has made him a leading figure in Georgia’s contemporary art scene, inspiring a new generation of street artists and creative thinkers.

Janadi Karawita

Medical Student

Janadi Karawita is a final-year medical student in the prestigious American MD Program, with a keen focus on dermatology and academic research. She currently leads as co-president of the International Dermatology Group of IJCR, engaging over 400 students in the field. Previously, Janadi served as a healthcare representative for Youth in Governance under the former president of Sri Lanka, where she shed light on pivotal political healthcare issues. Her entrepreneurial spirit is evident in co-founding Muthuhara DXB, which celebrates Sri Lankan culture through art and music for expatriate children in the UAE, and Orators' Guild, a platform fostering public speaking skills among expatriate students in Georgia. Outside of her professional endeavors, Janadi balances her passions with weightlifting and belting out Broadway hits, whether on stage or at karaoke venues.

Tinatin Tkemaladze

Medical Doctor, Professor of Genetics

Dr. Tinatin Tkemaladze is a distinguished genetics professor at Tbilisi State Medical University, known for her pioneering contributions to medical genetics and her unwavering dedication to education and research. As a leader in her field, she has played a vital role in advancing genetic studies in Georgia, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and clinical application. Passionate about mentoring the next generation of medical professionals, Dr. Tkemaladze is deeply involved in academic initiatives that promote innovative research and critical thinking. Her work has significantly contributed to the understanding of genetic diseases, making her an invaluable figure in both academia and healthcare.