Name: Emmanuel Poku
Intended Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Newark, NJ
What clubs are you a part of at Colgate, and what are some of your favorite activities to do on campus?
I am part of Brothers, African Student Union, and club soccer. I am also an ALANA ambassador. In my spare time, I go to meditation classes when I can, play video games, read some poetry, or play basketball with my friends.
What is your role as an ALANA ambassador?
As an ALANA ambassador, I have to create at least one event per semester and help with the coordination of other events that occur at the ALANA Cultural Center. Last semester, my event was to create a study session during finals week. I coordinated with the LGBTQ department. The event was very successful. There was reiki, food, board games, student performances and socializing. The event’s success was great, but the most important aspect of the entire event is that I really got to know a lot of the members of the LGBTQ community that otherwise I would have never gotten to know. The aim of a lot of the events in ALANA is to bring awareness of different cultures and identities, including issues of racial climate on campus and finding solutions to combat social issues.
How would you characterize your OUS Summer Institute experience?
During the summer, the OUS Summer Institute was very challenging. I just came from having serious “senioritis” in high school and had to get back into “work mode” in July with one of the most demanding professors at Colgate. However, it really prepared me academically for Colgate. OUS has been a great help through my first year, whether it be books, advice about summer opportunities, or just a check-in to make sure I’m doing well.
Do you have any summer plans?
Yes, I actually do! Professor Frey suggested that I apply for summer research and often not a lot of freshmen are accepted. With his recommendation and one from another faculty member from OUS, I got a position to stay on campus and do research with Professor Meyers. The research is very interesting because we are studying zebrafish regeneration. These fishes can regenerate parts of their bodies within a few days, and we’re hoping to learn how they do this in hopes that we can apply them to humans. I am very excited!