Leticia Rodriguez

Academic Interests

Biomedical Engineering, & Neuroscience

Fun Fact

I run over 1,000 miles every year

My passion for integrating biomedical engineering and neuroscience stems from a deep desire to transform how we understand and treat neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, I witnessed firsthand how limited access to healthcare impacts families. Specifically, I witnessed the reality of SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy) and how the scientifically ambiguous nature of this phenomenon was never a good enough answer to justify the loss of a loved one. Since then, I have been determined to pursue innovations that bridge those gaps, particularly through bioprinting tissue grafts as potential therapies for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. 
   
The prospect of bioprinting tissues fascinates me (not in a creepy Frankenstein way), but as a frontier for tangible, life-changing discovery. My passion for research and engineering have fueled a genuine curiosity and drive to contribute to a field brimming with potential. The opportunity to create, discover, and expand the horizons of biomedical research motivates me daily to grow as a scholar and a leader. 
   
Leadership and service have always been central to my journey. In high school, I represented my peers on the School Advisory Council, helping plan budgets to support student needs. As a founding member of the Ambassadors of Visionary Leadership, I worked to motivate fellow students toward academic excellence, facilitate mentorship programs, and organize community service initiatives. These experiences (along with adjusting to a new educational system after moving to the United States as a teenager) taught me resilience and the power of determination. I’ve learned that when you commit wholeheartedly to your goals, there are no limits to what you can achieve. 
   
Today, I continue to grow as a member of Duke University’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, where I am developing my leadership and professional discipline. I’m also involved in cultural organizations such as Mi Gente and the Black Student Alliance, which allow me to celebrate my heritage while contributing to a diverse and supportive community. As I navigate the many opportunities available for me at Duke, I become more grounded among a world of scholars who will change the world. 

What do you like about being a SPIRE Fellow?

So far, the most notable aspect of this fellowship is the lively community. Though I am currently a new member, I have had the opportunity to socialize with amazing upperclassmen that have provided me with advice and assurance that I belong at Duke and that my dreams are possible. I've had the privilege to meet people with diverse passions and connect with students who have similar backgrounds as me. I feel included and supported by the many people who are there to remind me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.