Zehavi Rodriguez

Academic Interests

Computational Linguistics, Artificial Intelligence, Foreign Languages

Fun Fact

I'm really good at Counter-Strike, and I can speak gibberish in 4 languages.

I’ve always been interested in how people communicate with each other, how it works through music, and now even with machines. Language and music have been lifelong companions for me. I love learning new languages (at the moment it’s German) and I’ve found that each one opens up a different way of seeing the world, whether that's through syntax or the ideas of the people you now have the option of meeting. Music has been just as important: I grew up playing classical cello and piano, and more recently I’ve started learning the electric bass. These interests began at different points in my life, but they’ve come together through curiosity and a desire to keep exploring the many forms expression can take, whether through words, sounds, or technology.

At Duke, I’ve been able to keep music at the inner core of my life, even without being at a conservatory. I play in the university orchestra and in a string quartet, which has given me not only a musical outlet but also a strong sense of collaboration and community. Outside of rehearsals, I enjoy weightlifting and reading fiction, both of which help me recharge from the daily grind. I am also part of the coding team in a neuroscience lab at the medical school, where we use computer vision to apply AI to real-world challenges.

What do you like about being a SPIRE Fellow?

The sense of belonging and community. SPIRE is full of kind and intelligent people. it’s an honor to have such a support system throughout my time at Duke.