Sarah Fong

Academic Interests

Neuroscience & Public Policy

Fun Fact

I traveled to Japan this past summer!

The courage to persevere and persist lies in my roots. As a 15-year-old orphan, my grandfather sailed across the sea from China to Mexico as he fled WWI. Almost 70 years later, my parents left behind their lives in Mexico to come to the United States. It took tremendous fearlessness and bravery to overcome job insecurity, language barriers, and discrimination. As a child, I witnessed my family struggle to learn English and interact with the rest of the world. My interests focus on how we communicate and interpret ideas to each other. The field of neuroscience provides me with a multifaceted approach to the human mind and its mechanisms by combining chemistry, biology, psychology, and mathematics. Alongside neuroscience, public policy helps me to bring science and society together. Whether it’s law school or research in language acquisition, I hope to advocate for immigrants’ rights in the future. 

Outside of the classroom, I am involved in Women’s Club Soccer, Beyond Borders, DukeLIFE, Mi Gente, and the Asian Students Association here at Duke. I love sitcoms, collecting knick-knacks, baking sweets, lingering in libraries, sunbathing, and singing karaoke badly. 

What do you like about being a SPIRE Fellow?

Being a part of the SPIRE community means finding a sense of belonging while developing professionally. This inclusive and supportive environment provides me with mentorship and guidance for school or just life. As a fellow, I have access to endless internships, research, and summer opportunities that build a strong foundation for my future. SPIRE’s vibrant circle allows me to connect with like-minded, yet diverse hard-working individuals.