Gowri Shankar
Researcher | Transforming venomous encounters into scientific breakthroughs
About
Gowri Shankar turned a life-threatening king cobra bite into groundbreaking scientific research, demonstrating how unexpected encounters can lead to remarkable discoveries. Based at Duke University, Shankar's work bridges the dangerous world of venomous snakes with cutting-edge scientific inquiry.
His TED 2021 talk "A king cobra bite -- and a scientific discovery" reveals how a potentially fatal encounter became the foundation for important research contributions. Shankar's unique perspective comes from direct, dangerous field experience combined with rigorous academic investigation, offering audiences rare insights into how scientists can extract knowledge from even the most perilous situations.
His approach to research exemplifies how personal experiences, even traumatic ones, can be transformed into valuable scientific understanding that benefits broader communities.
Talks1
A king cobra bite -- and a scientific discovery
A king cobra has enough venom to kill 10 people in a single bite. Recounting his near-death experience after being bitten by one of these majestic yet deadly snakes, conservationist and TED Fellow Gowri Shankar shares the epiphany he had when the antivenom failed: there's more than one unique species of king cobra.
At a Glance
Is this you?
Claim this profile to edit your bio, add talks, and get verified.
Know a talk we're missing?
Get in Touch
Save for Later
Frequently Appeared With
Speakers who have appeared at the same events
Aaron Morris
Expert Futurist | Emerging Technology Strategist
1 shared event · TED Fellows: Shape Your Future
Almudena Toral
Multimedia Journalist | Shedding Light on Hidden Stories
1 shared event · TED Fellows: Shape Your Future
Aparna Hegde
OBGYN Surgeon | Transforming Healthcare Access in India
1 shared event · TED Fellows: Shape Your Future
Brittany Young
Founder & CEO | STEM Education Innovator
1 shared event · TED Fellows: Shape Your Future
Feras Fayyad
Syrian Filmmaker | Exposing Human Rights Abuses Through Documentary
1 shared event · TED Fellows: Shape Your Future
Kathy Hannun
Dandelion Energy Founder | Clean Energy Innovation & Accessible Geothermal
1 shared event · TED Fellows: Shape Your Future
Katie Mack
Astrophysicist | Exploring the Mysteries of the Universe
1 shared event · TED Fellows: Shape Your Future
Khalil Ramadi
Civic Technologist | Building Tech for Social Good
1 shared event · TED Fellows: Shape Your Future
Similar Speakers
Speakers with related expertise
Philippe Petit
High Wire Artist | Daring Feats at the World Trade Center
Ryan Campbell
Youngest Solo Pilot | Circumnavigating the Globe & Overcoming Adversity
Ariel Waldman
National Geographic Explorer | Science Storyteller and Antarctic Adventurer
Major Tim Peake
Astronaut | Space Exploration & STEM Leadership