Sierra earned her B.A. in Neuroscience with a concentration in Environmental Studies from Kenyon College in 2022. As an undergraduate, she conducted research on how the extracellular environment of a nerve influences peripheral nervous system patterning. After graduation, Sierra joined the Duke cell biology department as a research technician where she studied tissue morphogenesis using the semicircular canals of zebrafish as a model. Outside of lab, you can find her painting, backpacking, or enjoying a good book!
PhD Program: Environment
Faculty Advisor: Nishad Jayasundara, PhD
2025-2026 Status: 2nd year
Contact: sierra.smith@duke.edu
Pronouns: she / her / hers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sierra-smith-8b3942196/
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