Emma Podol

Academic Interests

Biology; Neuroscience & Global Health 

Fun Fact

Never encountered a snow day until Duke!

A teacher once introduced to me a philosophy that has stuck with me over many years: “every question you answer should lead to more questions.” I love that the research process involves so much troubleshooting as it continuously opens up new series of questions to dive into and teaches me about unexpected things through hands-on learning. For the past three years, I’ve been working in the McNamara lab researching the molecular mechanisms behind the initiation and development of epilepsy. This opportunity has strengthened my foundation in the scientific thought process behind designing experiments, and it has taught me so much about neural circuits and the importance of tyrosine kinase signaling in regulating epilepsy. My experiments have ranged from PCRs and image quantification to RNAscopes and immunohistochemistry as I investigate potential seizure-activated anti-epileptogenic pathways. I look forward to pursuing a PhD in neurobiology to both expand my breadth and depth of knowledge of the field and to cultivate my abilities and identity as a scientist.

In addition to research, I’m involved on campus with tour guiding, PorColombia, MiGente and the DCC, and in my free time I find a lot of joy in audiobooks, cooking, baking, and photography!

What do you like about being a SPIRE Fellow?

Becoming a SPIRE Fellow has given me a family that has truly shaped my undergrad experience by providing mentorship, networking, and deep interpersonal connections. It has also been a way for me to pass on my own institutional knowledge as the current VP of Academic Affairs, as a leader of the Learning Living Community my sophomore year, and as a ‘Big’ to underclassmen in the Fellowship. The further into higher education I go, the more I realize how important it is to foster a supportive community of peers and professors who truly understand your passions and struggles both personally and professionally.