Sydney Hunt

Academic Interests

Electrical/Computer Engineering and Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies

Fun Fact

I am certified in Mental Health First Aid!

As a Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholar, I passionately commit myself to academic excellence, leadership, community service, and social justice through organizations like Duke SPIRE Fellows, Duke Technology Scholars, and CS Sidekicks, a non-profit organization she co-established. 

During summer 2022, I worked at MIT in Dr. Polina Anikeeva’s lab through the MSRP Program. I built sensors that were implanted into mice brains to better understand addiction: Connecting and characterizing multifunctional fiber probes for in vivo brain recording and modulation.

During summer 2021, I worked at Caltech in Dr. Richard Andersen’s lab through the WAVE Fellows Program. I created a brain-machine interface system that allowed a paralyzed individual to control a robotic arm by thought. My work was published in the Caltech Undergraduate Research Journal: Robotic arm control through algorithmic neural decoding and augmented reality object detection.

During summer 2020, I participated in Data+ at Duke University: Predicting Blindness in Duke’s Glaucoma Patient Population. I also volunteered as a college essay coach through Dutchess-Orange Tutoring and ran a marathon for the virtual race I established with my sister (@Support.NoKidHungry).

I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in a prosthetics-related field and continue to be heavily involved in organizations dedicated to mentoring and empowering the next generation. I am particularly interested in reducing student dependence upon supplemental organizations to compensate for unsupportive STEM classroom environments. 

Some of my favorite activities on campus include being the Head Campus Tour Guide, a Duke eNable Project Lead (3D printing prosthetics), and Bass Connections: Improving Girls’ Math Identity through Problem-Solving and Mentorship. I also loved being the SPIRE VP of Durham and Regional Affairs, SPIRE Living Learning Community Core Founding Member, and a Club Outing and Intramural Soccer teammate.  

Outside school, I enjoy co-hosting a podcast with my professor (@ThisEngineeringLife), hiking, running, yoga, weight lifting, dancing, trying new foods, playing piano, and cuddling with my Morkie. I also loved being a Camp Kesem Counselor, Project B.U.I.L.D./Wellness Crew Leader, and a mentor for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Youth Leadership Institute.

What do you like about being a SPIRE Fellow?

I love the genuine community! There is so much professional and personal support for the fellows provided by like-minded and welcoming role models. There is a beautiful amount of trust and vulnerability that comes from being surrounded by students and professionals who are passionate about empowering the next generation. As someone who enjoys the little things in life, it always made my day when I waved hi to other S.P.I.R.E. Fellows on campus or chatted in the courtyard with Assistant Vice Provost Crowley during S.P.I.R.E. ‘Grab and Go’ Fridays.