Enoch Smith

I'm a dual Sociology and Gender Studies major, set to graduate with honors in both this coming spring. As my undergraduate degrees suggest, I'm particularly interested in the intersection of gender and society. In addition to my studies, I've spent my undergraduate career volunteering at Planned Parenthood to learn how activist, non-profit organizations attempt to help at-risk populations and disadvantaged groups. I also work at a biology lab doing genetic research which has lent me first-hand experience untangling genetic influences on living organisms. While I began as a normal lab aide, in October 2014 I was promoted to a research position where I worked alongside a faculty member as part of a project investigating the BPS gene in Arabidopsis plants.

I was born and raised in a polygamist family which has given me an insider's perspective on how subordinated family structures manage differing identities in the public and private spheres to which they belong. While I left my parents' group at age 18, I have continuing interest in investigating alternative family structures, how they interact with legal institutions, and how their unique perspectives alter their overall worldviews.

Finally, while it's inevitable that social research contains an aspect of social advocacy, I firmly believe that scientists have a responsibility to be as fair and objective as possible in their research. That said, I also believe that researchers need to be more active in promoting their discoveries to the general public, and I think that the popular arts are an excellent way to reach people. Therefore, as an artist as well as a scientist, I intend to use my abilities to raise awareness of social issues (like race, gender, etc.) in the popular arena so that society in general can become a more egalitarian place.