Nafisa Rashid

Hello Everyone! My name is Nafisa Rashid and I am currently a sophomore (class of 2023) planning to major in Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences and Environmental Science. I am Sierra Leanean-American and currently living in Poughkeepsie, NY. From childhood I've always been curious about nature and our various ways of interacting with it. I spent this past summer working with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant as a part of the Paulson-Frost Practitioner Fellow Internship, researching the indigenous and local names of animals around the world, particularly in North America, South America and Africa. Specifically I looked at the etymology and cultural stories of the animals and their names. This internship allowed me to delve more into my interest in languages, history and ecology/environmental science. I was also able to learn more about the interesting intersections of these subjects while doing my research. Outside of class I enjoy listening to and playing music, as I am currently a member of Yanvalou Drum and Dance Ensemble and Wellesley Aiko. In my free time some of the things I enjoy doing are watching tv shows and movies, reading novels, creating art, trying to teach myself new skills like crocheting and coding, speaking and practicing various languages I've learned with others and taking long walks in nature with friends and family.