Welcome!

Hey peeps!

My name is Emma Droste. I am currently PhD candidate in the Baker Lab studying how sounds are processed in our brains for understanding.

I also am an avid fiber artist! Name a fiber art and I have likely tried it in some way, but my favorites are sewing (including a lot of historical fashion), knitting, crochet, and sometimes leatherwork.

I was really inspired by The Leafhopper to use my connection to the fiber art community to share about neuroscience, so I am starting this blog to explore biology subjects through the lens of my favorite pass time: fiber arts! As someone who explores both worlds, I find so many parallels between fashion history and how our brains are structured/how they evolve.

Some examples include:

• Neurons in the brain functioning as threads in the weave of fabric

• Evolution and fashion trends in the 1800’s

• Brains as computers with the first computer being the brocade loom

• Bench scientists and seamstresses and how women’s work is diminished to “craft”

• Trauma as a tear in the fabric of the brain

I’m also making my own wedding dress and finishing a PhD, so I expect sometimes my posts will reflect my progress and struggles and triumphs in those areas too.

I am going to take the time to explore these parallels in blog posts posted here and on Substack! If any of that at all seems intriguing, then stay tuned for when I publish those!

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