The Long Conversation 2017

The Long Conversation features more than 25 leaders from the arts and sciences in a relay of two-person dialogues focused on what makes them optimistic about the future. From edible houses to Maker nurses to art activism, learn about the best ideas on the horizon in 15-minute rolling conversations between surprising conversationalists from all walks of life.

Full 2017 Program

speaker topics

Speakers are listed in alphabetical order by session.

JOSE GOMEZ-MARQUEZ 
Co-Director, Little Devices Lab at MIT
DIY Medical Technologist. TED Fellow. TR35. Lemelson International Technology Awardee. Creator of MIT's first course on affordable medical hardware. Brings makerspace technology into hospitals and outer space.
 
KAVYA KOPPARAPU 
Founder and CEO, Girls Computing League 
Current senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. 2017 International Science Fair Finalist. Created an app at age 16 to diagnose diabetic retinopathy in rural India. TEDx speaker. 
 
YO-YO MA 
World-Renowned Cellist
Citizen Artist. United Nations Messenger of Peace. Recipient of the 2011 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Founder of Silkroad. Needs time management skills. 
 
SABRINA GONZALEZ PASTERSKI 
Hertz Foundation Fellow, Harvard University Center for the Fundamental Laws of Nature 
Aspiring theoretical physicist. First-generation Cuban-American & Chicago Public Schools alumna. Forbes and Scientific American "30 Under 30" lists. 
 
BRIAN MATHEWS
Autodesk, Vice President Platform Engineering
Computer nerd. Design evangelist. Electrical engineer. Holder of 6 patents in computer graphics. Amateur radio enthusiast. Dad. Cyclist. Bad speler.
 
DAVID RUBENSTEIN 
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Carlyle Group
Philanthropist. History buff. Leader of one of the world's largest private equity firms. Chair of the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents. 
 
DEBORAH F. RUTTER 
President, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
First female President of the world's busiest performing arts center. Collaborator. Innovator. Childhood violinist and pianist. 
 
MICHELLE THALLER
Deputy Director of Science for Communications, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 
Astrophysicist and research scientist. Host of How the Universe Works. Public Radio podcaster. Bad dancer. 
 
JOSÉ ANDRÉS 
Renowned Chef and Owner, ThinkFoodGroup & minibar by José Andrés
2 Michelin-starred culinary innovator. Author. Educator. Humanitarian. Time's "100 Most influential People." James Beard Foundation "Outstanding Chef." 2015 National Humanities Medal. 
 
MURIEL BOWSER 
Mayor of Washington, D.C. 
Proud fifth generation Washingtonian. Public servant. Advocate. Previous Ward 4 councilmember. 
 
STEVE CASE 
Chairman and CEO, Revolution; Co-Founder, AOL; Chairman, Case Foundation
Entrepreneur. Investor. New York Times bestselling author. Vice Chair of the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents. 
 
DR. JOHN A. GRANT, Ill 
Geologist, Center for Earth and Planetary Studies at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian 
Geologist. Chair for the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity. Member of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity. Home gardener. Biker. Beer collector. 
 
ANDREW HESSEL 
Distinguished Researcher, Autodesk Inc
Scientist. Futurist. Biohacker. Catalyst in biological technologies. Founder, Humane Genomics. Co-Founder, Genome Project-Write. 
 
DR. CORI LATHAN 
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AnthroTronix
Biomedical Engineer. Neuroscientist. MITTechnology Review "Top 100 World Innovators". Co-Chair, World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Human Enhancement. 
 
DAVID ROCKWELL 
Founder and President, Rockwell Group 
Architect. Tony Award-winning set designer. Student pianist. New Yorker. 
 
SHELDON SCOTT 
Owner and Artist, Sheldon Scott Studios 
Storyteller. Actor. Performance artist. Social worker. Youth Pride Alliance, Teaching for Change Soard Member. 
 
DR. DAVID J. SKORTON 
Secretary, Smithsonian Institution 
Leader of the Smithsonian. Lover of arts and humanities. Supporter of the sciences. Advocate for education. Diffuser of knowledge. Board-certified cardiologist. Jazz flutist. Former U of Iowa and Cornell University President. 
ERIK BRUNER-YANG 
Restaurateur 
Portfolio of Maketto, Toki Underground, Paper Horse Noodle Bar, Brothers & Sisters, and Spoken English. 2 time James Seard Award nominee. Husband and father. 
 
FRANK FOER 
Staff Writer, The Atlantic
Writer. Journalist. Author of World Without Mind. Slate contributing editor. Former editor of The New Republic.
 
RACHEL GOSLINS  
Director of the Arts & Industries Building, Smithsonian Former Executive Director, President's Committee on the Arts & Humanities for the Obama White House. Documentary filmmaker. Policy wonk. Recovering lawyer. Artsy but just kinda. 
 
KAITLYN HOVA 
Co-Founder, Hova Labs
Violinist. Composer. Artist. Women Who Code Core Team Member. Software Engineer. Neuroscientist. Synesthete. TEDMED speaker. 
 
PETE MARRA 
Center Head, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Avian conservation scientist. Founder of The Migratory Connectivity Project and Neighborhood Nestwatch. Author. Co-founder of Tree House Concerts. Avid fly fisherman. Passionate cook. 
 
GABBY RIVERA
Queer Latinx Writer
Writer. Speaker. Storyteller. Culture Nerd. Author of AMERICA, America Chavez's solo series for Marvel Comics featuring Marvel's first Latina lesbian superhero. 
 
DANIEL P. SCHRAG 
Director, Harvard University Center for the Environment; Sturgis Hooper Professor of Geology and Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering
Professor. Geochemist. Paleoclimatologist. Dog lover. 
 
DAMION THOMAS 
Curator of Sports, National Museum of African American History and Culture
Author of Globetrotting African American Athletes and Cold War Politics. UCLA Alumnus. Former professor. 
 
ENO UMOH
Co-founder, Global Air Media
Entrepreneur. Drone pioneer. Founder, Baltimore Youth Drone Racing League. Baltimore born and raised.