Emily Matsuda ’15
New York City
Biology/Neuroscience
- Academic Civic Engagement (ACE) Class Participant
I first began getting involved with the CCCE when I took Debby Walser-Kuntz’s Immunology course in the winter of 2014. For our academic civic engagement project, my group and I developed a curriculum for the Minnesota Celiac Center’s Gluten Detective’s Agency, a program for children living with celiac disease. My group and I devised lesson plans and activities for the Gluten Detectives,centered around the core focus of the organization: “Investigate, Advocate, and Celebrate.”
After the class ended, I still wanted to do more, so I decided to merge my love for art and science by writing a picture book for children with celiac disease called “What’s Up With My Gut?.” I continued to work independently on this book throughout the summer of 2014, and with the support of Debby Walser-Kuntz, I self-published the book in early September.
Illustrating my book sparked my passion for communicating science, especially to non-scientists. The drawing process got me thinking about how good design can enhance learning. I found myself asking questions such as, “How can I make this accessible?” or “How can I make this scientific concept exciting while still being educational?”
I am a visual learner, and I love working at the lab bench at the cellular and molecular levels. Yet, many of my non-science major friends seem intimidated when I start talking about this level of science. Working on this project motivated me to reduce that innate “fear” of science through design.
While writing my book, I was able to connect with patients affected by chronic disease in a whole different way. As I thought about my readers, I realized how empowering people living with chronic diseases by teaching them about their own condition is so important. This realization motivated me to continue pursuing projects that connect science with people.