As a kid, I always loved being outside, climbing trees, adventuring through the woods, and watching wildlife. A slightly embarrassing early childhood video shows me attempting to converse with squirrels. I’ve always wondered what my dog and other animals were actually thinking. That’s why I waited until the end of sophomore year when I was finally able to get into Professor Schaaf’s “Imagining Animal Minds” WR 150 course. I had never written a scholarly research paper before, but Professor Schaaf’s approach of sharing model articles, combined with ample opportunity to practice each step along the way, made the process much less intimidating. Inspired by one article that suggested a need for research on individuals within a population (rather than the typical urban versus rural comparison), I decided to study a particular group of squirrels who made the Boston Common graveyard their home. Like my younger self, I was able to sit amongst these furry-tailed friends and wonder about things like what made one shy and another bold. The skills I’ve learned in this course will guide me in future endeavors as a Speech-Language Pathologist. I can apply these new skills whether I am writing up clinical observations, conducting research in a lab, giving a presentation at a conference, or maybe even writing a children’s book.
EMMA RADEMACHER is a rising junior in Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She grew up in Rhode Island, and was a competitive figure skater for 12 years. She continues her career on the ice as a member of BU’s Synchronized Skating team. In addition, Emma enjoys working with children, painting, drawing, and playing the piano, and has climbed Mt. Washington five times. She would like to thank her WR 150 professor, Holly Schaaf, for being so supportive and helpful throughout the entire revision process, and always providing lengthy, insightful responses to her emails.