Biology: Elise Madar

Ade Ilesanmi/Old Gold & Black

Elise Madar was born in Baltimore, M.D., but has spent most of her life growing up in northeast Ohio, right outside of Cleveland.

Coming from a family of engineers, Madar had a strong background in mathematics and the sciences, eventually fostering an interest in biology.

Her college search was focused on schools with strong neuroscience programs and in areas with temperate climates, which made Wake an easy choice.

I really wanted to get out of the cold weather, Madar said. She thoroughly enjoys her major, as it has afforded her the opportunity to build strong relationships with many of the professors in the biology department.

I really like it because of the faculty. Ive gotten to know them very well, Madar said. It all started during her sophomore year, when she began doing research with Wayne Silver, a professor in the biology department.

Shes one of the best Wake Forest students Ive had in class and lab in all the years Ive been here, Silver said. She is always extremely well organized, incredibly hard working, perfectly down-to-earth and always seems to be happy. She is an incredible student and has a 4.0 GPA.

Madar also spent a semester abroad at the Flow House in Vienna, Austria with Silver and his wife, who described Madar as a humble and kind person.

Since then, Madar has diversified her undergraduate research experience. She has spent two years doing research with Erik Johnson, an associate professor in biology with whom she also worked on her honors thesis on neuronal circuits in fruit flies. Elise is precisely the type of student that all other students at Wake should emulate, Johnson said. Remarkably, she has balanced all of [her] demands and has done so with grace.

She has also gotten close to Pat Lord, associate teaching professor in biology, over the years. Madar has left quite the impression on her professors and mentors.

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Biology: Elise Madar