Emily Sandberg

Evolutionary Anthropology & Psychology

As a rising senior at Duke, I am majoring in evolutionary anthropology (with a concentration in behavior, ecology, and cognition) and psychology, and am interested in pursuing graduate school and research after graduation. I am interested in the evolution of behavior and cognition, primarily from a comparative perspective. Thus, I spend a lot of time at the Duke Lemur Center studying the abilities of our primate relatives! I am also interested in conservation and sustainability, particularly as it relates to human wellbeing and health. In the 2022-23 academic year, I worked with a Bass Connections research team to investigate both the human and animal side of conservation in Madagascar, and how promoting lemur conservation can simultaneously aid human wellbeing. I also pursue research at the Duke Canine Cognition Center through the Dean's Summer Research Fellowship and research independent study, and am passionate about continuing research as a career. Outside of the classroom and lab, I am the Executive VP for duARTS, where I promote the arts on campus through events, advocacy, and partnerships with Durham artists. I am the program director of Duke FEMMES+-- an organization that creates STEM programs for Durham elementary school students. Ultimately, I hope to attend graduate school after Duke, where I can continue my research, teach, and encourage science communication and literacy. As a first-generation student, the Cardea community has helped me to feel supported and empowered to achieve any goal I set my mind to, and I look forward to my final year in the program!