Emily Rogalski
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
I am a cognitive neuroscientist by training. I received my BA from Wittenberg with a major in Biology and minor in psycholgy and chemistry. I received my PhD in neuroscience from Northwestern University. My interest in the brain began in grade school, when I met and worked with brilliant children with developmental delays. My mother has taught students with learning disabilities for over 40 years. In fact, Magic Johnson, was in one of her classes. These children taught me so much and also sparked my curiosity about the brain. I was inspired by their talents and wanted to better understand how the brain could be responsible for different learning styles.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I have over 10 years of research experience in aging and dementia and I currently serve as the Director of Neuroimaging for the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center (CNADC) at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. My research falls under the broad umbrella of aging and dementia and uses a multimodal approach to investigate two aging perspectives: primary progressive aphasia (PPA) in which neurodegenerative disease invades the language network and SuperAging in which individuals are seemingly resistant to the deleterious changes in memory associated with “normal” or more typical cognitive aging. My investigations have provided new fundamental knowledge with translational implications for cognitive aging, dementia, and neurodegenerative disease as well as the cognitive neuroscience of language and memory. My work strives to define the clinical and anatomical features of different dementia syndromes as well as identifying genetic, developmental and acquired factors in aging and dementia. I have also developed educational programs, support groups and Internet-based therapies to improve quality of life for patients with dementia. I have a successful history of foundation and NIH funding including R01s from the NINDS and NIA.
Teaching remains a priority and I have taken an active role in mentoring students from high school to doctoral graduate students to neurology fellows.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
see #2
4. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
Too much to do and too little time and too few resources. My job is different every day which keeps me engaged and motivated.
5. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Im still working on this. It’s tricky.
6. What do you define success as?
Something you can be proud of
7. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Grit.
8. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I am fortunate to have several great mentors in my life. My mom who fostered creativity and spontaneity; my father who instilled a strong work ethic; my friends who provide support; my husband who is an amazing teammate and provides a great sounding board for ideas; my professional mentors and work colleagues who continue to challenge and inspire me.
9. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
Persevere. Try. Be passionate.
I am a cognitive neuroscientist by training. I received my BA from Wittenberg with a major in Biology and minor in psycholgy and chemistry. I received my PhD in neuroscience from Northwestern University. My interest in the brain began in grade school, when I met and worked with brilliant children with developmental delays. My mother has taught students with learning disabilities for over 40 years. In fact, Magic Johnson, was in one of her classes. These children taught me so much and also sparked my curiosity about the brain. I was inspired by their talents and wanted to better understand how the brain could be responsible for different learning styles.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I have over 10 years of research experience in aging and dementia and I currently serve as the Director of Neuroimaging for the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center (CNADC) at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. My research falls under the broad umbrella of aging and dementia and uses a multimodal approach to investigate two aging perspectives: primary progressive aphasia (PPA) in which neurodegenerative disease invades the language network and SuperAging in which individuals are seemingly resistant to the deleterious changes in memory associated with “normal” or more typical cognitive aging. My investigations have provided new fundamental knowledge with translational implications for cognitive aging, dementia, and neurodegenerative disease as well as the cognitive neuroscience of language and memory. My work strives to define the clinical and anatomical features of different dementia syndromes as well as identifying genetic, developmental and acquired factors in aging and dementia. I have also developed educational programs, support groups and Internet-based therapies to improve quality of life for patients with dementia. I have a successful history of foundation and NIH funding including R01s from the NINDS and NIA.
Teaching remains a priority and I have taken an active role in mentoring students from high school to doctoral graduate students to neurology fellows.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
see #2
4. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
Too much to do and too little time and too few resources. My job is different every day which keeps me engaged and motivated.
5. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Im still working on this. It’s tricky.
6. What do you define success as?
Something you can be proud of
7. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Grit.
8. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I am fortunate to have several great mentors in my life. My mom who fostered creativity and spontaneity; my father who instilled a strong work ethic; my friends who provide support; my husband who is an amazing teammate and provides a great sounding board for ideas; my professional mentors and work colleagues who continue to challenge and inspire me.
9. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
Persevere. Try. Be passionate.