DENVER—Head injury expert Kim Gorgens, a neuropsychologist at the University of Denver (DU), says that most concussions deliver 95 g's to the human body upon impact. G-force is a unit of force equal to the force exerted by gravity. In addition, the average football player receives 103 g's when hit during a game. In comparison, the average g-force experienced by military fighter pilots is nine g's.
Gorgens discussed the impact of concussions on children during a recent presentation at TEDxDU on the University of Denver campus. TEDx stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and is an independently organized event licensed by the internationally recognized TED organization.
To watch Gorgens' full presentation, visit www.tedxdu.com.
Also appearing at TEDxDU was internationally-known still photographer Aaron Huey. Huey−a DU graduate−visually chronicled the plight of Native Americans. Specifically, Huey relates the fight for survival on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Aaron began photographing on Pine Ridge as part of a story on poverty in America, but it has captured his passion for five years.
TEDxDU featured 18 speakers and performers discussing the world's most pressing issues from clean water and combating poverty to legal reform and HIV/AIDS.
"DU wants to be part of the solution," Chancellor Robert Coombe says. "We are committed to tackling the great challenges of the day and TEDxDU allows us to be purposeful in creating awareness around the global issues facing our world."
Presentations included the world's fastest electric motorcycle and new research being conducted on Lou Gehrig's disease. Other presenters were Stephen Brackett and Jamie Laurie, known to their fans as Brer Rabbit and Jonny 5 of the Denver-based band Flobots, and The Spirituals Project Choir.
The TEDxDU talks continue to be well received by TED fans throughout the world. Aaron Huey's video has received more than 5,000 views and each of the speaker videos continue to inspire. Most importantly, the event achieved its objective of motivating action. According to a survey of participants 94 percent of TEDxDU attendees discussed the event with friends and 69 percent said it sparked an idea. TEDxDU continues to spread ideas through TEDxDU.com. For more information regarding TED go to www.ted.com.
Speakers included:
- Aaron Huey, a photojournalist who has taken pictures on nearly every continent.
- Barry Hughes, a global futurist who asks tough questions.
- Philip Tedeschi, and his colleagues at the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at DU are pioneers of research surrounding the contribution animals make to human health and well-being.
- Daniel Linseman, has devoted the last three years to unraveling the mysteries of Lou Gehrig's disease.
- Kim Gorgens, a neuropsychologist working in the field of brain injuries.
- Eva Hakansson, a DU graduate student and hardcore "EV geek" with a green heart and passion for power and speed, built her ElectroCat electric motorcycle with no formal training.
- Art Bouton, he plays the saxophone, flute and clarinet, as well as an electronic wind controlled synthesizer that looks and plays like a soprano sax, but can sound like nearly any instrument from piano and percussion to strings and synths.
- Regan Linton, a DU master's student, Linton is a member of Denver's Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League (PHAMALY).
- Karambu Ringera, founder of International Peace Initiatives, is changing the future of women and children in Africa, one community at a time. She holds a Ph.D. from DU.
- Art Jones, is committed to preserving and revitalizing religious folk songs created by African American slaves.
- Richard Lapchick, often called "The Racial Conscience of Sports," is a human rights activist, an internationally-recognized expert on issues of diversity and ethics in sports, and a DU alumnus.
The University of Denver is committed to improving the human condition and engaging students and faculty in tackling the major issues of our day. DU ranks among the top 100 national universities in the U.S. For additional information, go to www.du.edu/newsroom.