Elise Hu

Today's talk is part of our new 2025 TED Fellows Films adapted for podcasts just for our TED Talks Daily listeners.

We'll be releasing these special episodes showcasing...

our amazing fellows on certain Fridays throughout the rest of 2025 and into the new year.

The TED Fellows program supports a network of global innovators, and we are so excited to share their work with you.

Today, we'd love for you to meet protein engineer, designer, and TED Fellow Cesar Ramirez Sarmiento.

What if we could take one of nature's fundamental biological building blocks, proteins, and redesign them to tackle some of humanity's biggest challenges?

Cesar's lab is based in Santiago, Chile, and it uses AI to design new proteins with both therapeutic and environmental applications.

His creative approach to protein design and AI shows why Latin America is emerging as such a leader in this space and why we should look to enzymes for everything from breaking down PET plastics to developing new healthcare solutions.

After we hear from Cesar, stick around for his conversation with TED Fellows Program Director Lily James Olds.

It's coming up.

And now a special conversation between Cesar and TED Fellows Program Director Lily James Olds.

Coming up right after the break.

If you enjoy the ideas you hear on this show, did you know you have the chance to actually see the newest TED Talks live next month?

This year's TED Next conference in Atlanta, Georgia, is coming up November 9th through the 11th.

And you can learn more about joining us there at TED.com slash future you.

And there won't just be talks.

In addition to hearing world-class ideas from inspiring speakers like Jermaine Dupri, Sanjay Gupta, and Vivian Tu live, TED offers unforgettable interactive experiences, discovery sessions, and networking events.

Witness history in the making, make connections that will last a lifetime, and get inspiration that might just spark your next big idea.

Go to TED.com slash future you or click the link in our show notes to learn more about TED Next.

That was Cesar Ramirez Sarmiento, a TED 2025 fellow.