Bios

Bios:

Thomas Kalil

Big Ideas @ Berkeley was founded by Tom Kalil, previously Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Science and Technology at UC Berkeley and now the Deputy Director for Policy in the Office of Science & Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President of the United States. Prior to his tenure at Berkeley, Kalil was responsible for technology policy at the National Economic Council in the Clinton White House. He was also a member of California’s Blue Ribbon Nanotechnology Task Force, and has served on several committees of the National Academy of Sciences, including the Committee to Facilitate Interdisciplinary Research.

Annie Yeh

Annie Yeh launched Big Ideas @ Berkeley with Tom Kalil in July of 2005. As Managing Director of Big Ideas, Annie develops and administers new initiatives needed to support the ecosystem for student-led projects across the UC Berkeley campus.

Annie mentors and advises students receiving support from "Big Ideas" and works with campus departments, Cal alumni, industry, foundations and private donors to build a community of support for "Big Ideas."

Annie previously worked in the computer science education and e-learning industries. She holds a Masters degree from the School of Information, UC Berkeley, where she served as President of the Information Management Students Association and worked as a researcher for the Interactive University Project. Additionally, Annie is an accomplished musician/cellist and recently released a debut Jazz album, 'Something New.' Annie holds a Masters degree in Music (cello performance) from Ohio University and a B.A. in Asian Studies and Pre-Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania.