Hello!
I am Emma Garrison. I am an interdisciplinary research scientist with interests in physics, neuroscience, networks, complexity science, psychology, and philosophy! This page is meant to tell you a little bit more about my background and experience. I go into more detail about my research interests on the research areas page!​
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Even before I learned about complex systems, I was very interested in a broad range of topics. For undergraduate studies, I went to the University of South Carolina where I got a dual degree - BS in Physics and BS in Psychology. There, I worked in a cognitive neuroscience lab exploring the distributed encoding of sematic meaning in the brain (Dr. Desai), and I worked in an optics lab studying piezoelectric optical materials (Dr. Wu). This is where I had the opportunity to work in a more hands on capacity - preparing materials, collecting data, etc.
This is also where I first developed my interest in philosophy culminating in an undergraduate honors thesis on the topic of the philosophy of interdisciplinary science!
After undergrad, I moved all the way to Alberta, Canada to attend a master's program in physics at the University of Calgary. I am currently completing revisions on my thesis! (This means that I have completed all my degree requirements including the defense and just need to submit my thesis to the vault!) I had the privilege to be a part of the complexity science group and work under the supervision of Dr. Javier Orlandi and Dr. Roberto Sotero Diaz.
This opportunity provided my first experience with complex systems and represented my shift toward computational and theoretical work!
I grew up in Austin, TX and I maintain a great affinity for the Lone Star State. I adore my family - my parents who have always supported me on my journey, my grandmother who is a constant source of inspiration, and my brother and his family with a baby girl on the way! (I am so excited!) I have many incredible
friendships living across the world and I am grateful for the opportunities to visit friends in New York, Maryland, The Carolinas, California, Germany, and so many more cool places! My friends are a big part of who I am.
Beyond science and research, I have many hobbies and interests! I consider myself a hobbyist of sorts and, in my free time, I can be found doing projects in anything from painting to wood working to bird watching. I have always had a love of performing arts. I was a competitive dancer all through middle and high school. I credit my work ethic and resilience, in part, to my dance training! I also ran a theatre organization all throughout undergraduate as a communication director, producer, director, choreographer, and performer. This was a formative opportunity to develop my leadership and communication skills. I still participate in community theatre when I have the time.
The last thing that I want you to know about me is that in equal measure to my passion for research, I am a deeply committed and passionate teacher! I relished my TA opportunities during my master's degree. I also am a private tutor and have helped many students navigate calculus and physics. I'll brag on one of my students who I have worked with for many years as she is attending her first year at Stanford University. I am so proud of her and all my students! I, myself, am a dedicated student of the craft of teaching and am always seeking opportunities to hone and practice my skills! I am look forward to a career educating and inspiring students!