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Meredith Schmehl, PhD

@meredithschmehl.com
581 followers 850 following 328 posts

Neuroscientist building systems that scale scientific impact #OpenScience @HHMI.org #SciPol, #SciComm, & community building for a more equitable & informed future Past: 📢 Comms @ National SciPol Network 🧠 Ph.D. @DukeBrain.bsky.social 🧬 B.S. x2 @CMU.edu

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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 14/05/2025
What we found: The brain area that we were studying (the IC) is usually thought to be mostly a sound processing center. But we found that lights could change the way this brain area responded to sound - both in large groups of brain cells, and when singling out just one brain cell at a time. 6/10
A 3-panel figure from a neuroscience research paper. Panel A is a histogram of audiovisual minus auditory responses, with red and green bars indicating differences that diverge from zero. 16.7% of auditory responses were reduced and 6.8% were increased by the addition of a visual stimulus. Panel B is a scatter plot comparing mean auditory and audiovisual responses from individual neurons and individual conditions, with the color of the points indicating the mean visual response relative to baseline. There is no clear relationship between the magnitude and sign of the visual response and the audiovisual vs. auditory response difference. Finally, panel C is a scatter plot comparing the difference between audiovisual and auditory responses and the visual response relative to baseline, with the color of the points indicating the mean auditory response. There is no clear relationship between the magnitude of the auditory response and the influence of visual responses on audiovisual responses. Together, the panels indicate that a variety of relationships are possible between visual, auditory, and audiovisual responses, indicating a flexible role of visual stimuli in shaping auditory responses in the inferior colliculus.
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 14/05/2025
What we studied: We were studying how the brain processes both sound and light at the same time. I trained monkeys to locate sounds and lights inside a small room. While they did this, I recorded from a part of the brain called the inferior colliculus (IC), which processes sound. 2/10
A figure from a neuroscience research paper. The figure depicts a behavioral task requiring a subject to fixate their eyes on a central light, wait for a target (auditory, visual, or both at a single location) to appear, and then move their eyes to the location of the target.
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 14/05/2025
I'm happy to share a new paper from my PhD research! Exciting work about how visual info helps us process sound, and an example of federal funding that benefits all of us - from your health to community health. doi.org/10.1152/jn.0... With @jmgrohneuro.bsky.social & Jesse Herche Thread: 🧵👇 1/10
Graphical abstract from the Journal of Neurophysiology with 3 panels. The first panel is titled "Task" with the text: "Record responses in the inferior colliculus (IC) while monkeys perform a multi-modal localization task." A diagram depicts a behavioral task requiring a subject to fixate their eyes on a central light, wait for a target (auditory, visual, or both at a single location) to appear, and then move their eyes to the location of the target. The second panel is titled "Local Field Potential (LFP)" with the text: "Visually-evoked responses to both fixation and target lights." Two figures show the average local field potential (LFP) from multiple recording sites over time during a trial, showing a response that deviates from the pre-stimulus baseline in response to the fixation light (left figure) and visual targets (right figure). Finally, the third panel is titled "Single-Unit Spiking Activity" with the text: "Visually-induced modulation of auditory responses even when the visual spiking response is weak." Two figures follow. The first figure is a peri-stimulus time histogram (PSTH) from one neuron, showing the response to a visual, auditory, and audiovisual target over time. The second figure is a bar plot quantifying the first figure, showing that the audiovisual response has a lower firing rate than the auditory response, despite the visual response for this neuron being near zero. Below the 3 main panels of the graphical abstract is a footer with the logo of the American Physiological Society and the Journal of Neurophysiology.
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 15/11/2024
Thanks to Women in Neuroscience for inviting me to speak with their students yesterday! I had a great time sharing how I've made connections in my career, from combining research areas to making a real-world impact with #neuroscience. What a great program for students in Texas! #SciComm #SciPol
Women in Neuroscience logo, featuring the letters WIN next to an abstract brain constructed from four amorphous shapes.Talk description. Text: Seeing can help us hear. Whether we're reading a friend's lips in a loud crowd or finding our ringing phone in a messy room, visual cues help us every day as we process noisy environments and decide which sounds are important. In this talk, we'll discuss what neuroscience says about how the brain responds to sounds, and how visual and auditory signals are connected in the brain. We'll focus on the inferior colliculus (IC), an auditory brain area, where growing evidence suggests that visual information may influence responses to sounds. Along the way, we'll also discuss how to get involved in systems neuroscience research and how your neuroscience training could lead you to an impact-focused career in science communication, science policy, and beyond. Ultimately, we'll discover how everything from sensory systems to professional opportunities can be shaped by making connections.
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 12/05/2024
After six years, this weekend I graduated from Duke University with my PhD in Neurobiology! Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate! #Duke2024 #DukeAlumni #ForeverDuke #PhDone #PhinisheD
Photo of Meredith Schmehl wearing academic regalia in front of an archway lined with Duke University stone.Photo of Meredith Schmehl and Professor Jennifer Groh posing for a photo after Meredith’s PhD hooding.
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 25/04/2024
Thank you to Duke University and the Duke University Graduate School for recognizing me with a #ForeverDuke Student Leadership Award! What a great way to reflect on my time at Duke and to meet other graduates working to serve our local community and beyond. gradschool.duke.edu/about/news/9...
Photo of Meredith Schmehl receiving a box containing an award certificate. In the background is a screen with a PowerPoint slide showcasing Meredith's headshot and biography. The slide reads: Meredith Schmehl. The Graduate School. PhD 2024. Meredith Schmehl is a neuroscientist, science communicator, and science policy advocate driven to connect science and society through storytelling and community engagement. Meredith recently earned her PhD in Neurobiology from Duke University, where she studied how the brain uses vision to process sound. Outside of Duke, she is the Public Relations Manager of the National Science Policy Network, where she creates accessible written and visual content to share NSPN's story with the media and the public and to engage early-career scientists in professional development opportunities related to science policy and science communication. She is also the Community Relations Database Lead at ComSciCon, where she tracks engagement to increase science communiMeredith Schmehl is a neuroscientist, science communicator, and science policy advocate driven to connect science and society through storytelling and community engagement. Meredith recently earned her PhD in Neurobiology from Duke University, where she studied how the brain uses vision to process sound. Outside of Duke, she is the Public Relations Manager of the National Science Policy Network, where she creates accessible written and visual content to share NSPN's story with the media and the public and to engage early-career scientists in professional development opportunities related to science policy and science communication. She is also the Community Relations Database Lead at ComSciCon, where she tracks engagement to increase science communication training and community building opportunities for a nation-wide network of STEM graduate students and communication professionals. Additionally, Meredith is an independent science communicator, public speaker, and advocate through sevPhoto of a certificate that reads: Forever Duke Student Leadership Award. Honors. Meredith Schmehl. This certificate is awarded to Meredith based on her extensive advocacy for science communication and policy. This certificate is awarded on 25 April 2024. Duke Alumni Engagement and Development.
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 19/03/2024
Meredith Schmehl, PhD! Thank you to everyone who came to support me at my defense today, both in person and on Zoom! Looking forward to sharing my work more broadly in a few publications over the next several months. #PhDone #PhinisheD
Photo of Meredith Schmehl and advisor Jennifer Groh posing in front of a screen showing a PowerPoint slide.Photo of a PowerPoint slide that reads: Visual Cues Modulate Auditory Responses in the Macaque Inferior Colliculus. Meredith Schmehl. Dissertation Defense. March 18, 2024.
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 20/07/2023
Finally, @paleopaws is telling us about using personal stories to inform our #SciComm! #ComSciCon23
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 20/07/2023
Moving on to metaphors, imagery, and characters with @_emcosta! #ComSciCon23
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 20/07/2023
We are telling creative stories this morning at #ComSciCon23! Attendees are splitting into 3 groups to learn from experts about crafting their stories. Excited to start by hearing from @abiodun_et_al about neurocinematics!
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 19/11/2022
Now that the excitement is over, I can finally share some reflections on #SfN22 #SfN2022! Thanks to @APANHearing for my research talk award, the @SfNtweets TPDA program for sponsoring my attendance, and the ECPA Program for allowing me to share some of my #SciPol work! 1/2
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 07/11/2022
Come visit me at #SfN22! I'm presenting 6 (!) times on my research and a few #SciComm/#SciPol projects. I'd love to meet some of you there! #NeuroTwitter #ScienceTwitter #SfN2022 @SfNtweets
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 17/09/2022
Excited to share that I’ve been selected to receive a Trainee Professional Development Award from @SfNtweets! See you all at #SfN22!
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 04/08/2022
Ready to start! Excited to meet everyone and talk about #SciComm! #ComSciCon22 @ComSciCon
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 03/08/2022
Arrived at MIT and ready for @ComSciCon to start tomorrow! Can’t wait to meet everyone! #ComSciCon22
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 02/07/2022
Best way to spend a Saturday? #SciComm, of course! Having a great time prepping a #SciPol 101 talk for @SimplyNeurosci and finishing my Create-A-Thon draft for @ComSciCon 📝
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 20/11/2021
Excited for the Climate Justice Allyship workshop at the #SciPolSymposium/#NSPS2021!
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 19/11/2021
My bingo card is filling up! Don’t forget to share your bingo card with a short reflection about each square for a chance to win credit to the @SciPolNetwork Etsy store! #iSpySciPol #SciPolSymposium #NSPS2021
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 19/11/2021
Gearing up for the #SciPolSymposium/#NSPS2021! Can’t wait to meet new #SciPolPals and join the workshops and panels!
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 08/11/2021
Excited to be presenting at #SfN21! Come visit me at my research poster (P448.06, discussion 11/10 at 2:30pm ET) and outreach poster (J013.06, discussion 11/9 at 10:45am ET)! @SfNtweets
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 28/07/2021
New Gastronauts Podcast! Drs. Nick Betley and @DanielJDrucker discuss how science is always changing. Find us on all platforms! thinkgastronauts.com/the-gastronaut… @PennBiology @PennNGG @PennBGS @PennMedNews @Penn @UofTMedicine @UofT_DoM @LMP_UofT @UofT...
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 15/07/2021
Abstract submitted! Excited to see everyone (virtually) for #SfN21! @SfNtweets
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 14/07/2021
In our review, we focus on the two yellow areas - the auditory cortex and the inferior colliculus (IC). These areas both receive visual input and respond to visual information, despite being traditionally thought of as "auditory areas"...
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 14/07/2021
Neuroscientists like to compartmentalize things - "auditory regions" respond to sound, and "visual regions" respond to light. But the brain turns out to be a little more complicated. Here's a diagram of the auditory system, showing 3 places where visual input comes in 2/6
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 15/06/2021
New Gastronauts Podcast! Drs. @SenguptaLab and Brian Gulbransen tell us how the circuits in our gut can direct our behaviors. Find audio on all platforms and transcripts on our website! thinkgastronauts.com/the-gastronaut… @BrandeisNeuro @BrandeisScience...
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 27/04/2021
New Gastronauts Podcast! @KaraLMarshall, @Drosostalis, @MarceloRZimmer, and @YuukiObata1026 tell us how they got into science, and where they see science going in the future. Listen on all platforms, and find transcripts on our website!...
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 20/04/2021
New Gastronauts Podcast! Dr. Mary Estes (@EstesLab_BCM) and Dr. Dylan Dodd tell us how their research affects their daily lives. Listen on any platform! thinkgastronauts.com/the-gastronaut… @BCMHouston_News @BCMFromtheLabs @BCMHouston @StanfordMed...
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 24/03/2021
Since last July I've been leading a team of early-career researchers on a paper about how virtual conferences can enhance science diplomacy, #SciComm, and #SciPol. Today we're excited to share this project as an open-access article! doi.org/10.33767/osf.io/a28ku 1/4
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 16/03/2021
Certainly not a typical Hill Day (only two virtual 15-minute meetings), but I'm excited to participate in #SfNHillDay as an Early Career Policy Ambassador with @SfNtweets! We're meeting with legislators and their staff to advocate for research funding and more #NeuroAdvocate
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 23/02/2021
New Gastronauts Podcast (@GutBrainMatters)! @YuLongLiLab (@PKU1898) and @Michael_Krashes (@NIDDKgov) tell us about leveraging technology to enhance our research and define our careers. Find audio on all platforms and transcripts on our...
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 12/02/2021
Very excited to be selected as an Early Career Policy Ambassador by @SfNtweets! I can't wait to share my #SciPol experiences and meet other neuroscientists interested in advocacy! www.sfn.org/advocacy/us-advocacy-pr…
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 09/02/2021
Season 3 of The Gastronauts Podcast (@GutBrainMatters) is out today! In our first episode, Drs. Lisa Beutler and Anthony Sclafani tell us about the past, present, and future of science. Find audio on all platforms and transcripts on our...
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 23/01/2021
Bright and early on a Saturday morning, we’re ready for day 1 of @ComSciConTri! Proudly sporting my T-shirt from the 2019 workshop today. I can’t wait to meet our participants and share this workshop with them! #ComSciConTri #SciComm #SciPol
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 03/12/2020
Many months of behavioral training and rig troubleshooting later...today I did my first successful recordings! A neuron in the inferior colliculus (auditory area) responds on the left screen while a monkey locates lights and sounds (right screen) #NeuroTwitter #ScienceTwitter
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 14/11/2020
Great start to the @ESAL_us local engagement workshop at the #SciPolSymposium/#NSPS2020! Change requires showing up, but who can show up is an issue of equity. We can build equity through our local advocacy and #SciPol engagement!
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 14/11/2020
Ready for day 2 of the #SciPolSymposium/#NSPS2020! Today I get to sit back and participate as a regular attendee for most of the day. Looking forward to watching my #SciPolPals at their panels, workshops, flash talks, and more! And don’t forget to submit your #iSpySciPol cards!
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 13/11/2020
Gearing up to moderate this panel on public trust in science and racial justice in about 20 minutes! Looking forward to facilitating this important conversation for the #SciPolSymposium/#NSPS2020!
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 12/10/2020
Get excited for Season 3 of The Gastronauts Podcast (@GutBrainMatters)! This season we're growing and adapting to new challenges, from welcoming a second co-host to moving our recordings to Zoom. Check out the Season 3 teaser wherever you find...
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 03/10/2020
Excited for the final day of @Reclaiming_STEM! It's been so much fun to meet new friends in #SciComm and #SciPol while learning together over the past few weeks! #ReclaimingSTEM2020
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 26/09/2020
Attending @Reclaiming_STEM always feels like a great way to re-center after the events of the week. Excited to continue connecting and learning about #SciComm, #SciPol, and justice during Day 3! #ReclaimingSTEM2020
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 23/09/2020
Thanks so much to @AAAS for featuring me in their Member Spotlight! So excited to be able to share my #SciComm and #SciPol experiences with the @AAASmember community...
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 19/09/2020
Thank you to all the speakers and panelists from the second day of @Reclaiming_STEM! Feeling energized and ready to continue working toward justice and equity through #SciComm and #SciPol #ReclaimingSTEM2020
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 19/09/2020
Right now it's especially important to take time for reflection and self care. Thank you @RaviValleti for starting us off on Day 2 of @Reclaiming_STEM #ReclaimingSTEM2020
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 19/09/2020
A good problem to have: I wish I could attend every breakout session during Day 2 of @Reclaiming_STEM! Looking forward to discussing these important and relevant topics! #ReclaimingSTEM2020 #SciComm #SciPol #SciEngage
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 19/09/2020
Now more than ever, we need evidence-based policy and public investment in science. Looking forward to working toward those goals at the second day of @Reclaiming_STEM! #ReclaimingSTEM2020
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 15/09/2020
Thanks to @DukeGradSchool for featuring the @GutBrainMatters podcast! It's great to be a part of the podcasting community here at @DukeU gradschool.duke.edu/about/news/scie… #SciComm
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 12/09/2020
Thank you to the organizers and speakers at @Reclaiming_STEM! It was wonderful to meet everyone, and I can’t wait for day 2 next week! #ReclaimingSTEM2020
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 12/09/2020
It's starting! Looking forward to meeting everyone at #ReclaimingSTEM2020! @Reclaiming_STEM
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 12/09/2020
Very excited for the first day of @Reclaiming_STEM! Looks like a packed schedule to set the stage for the next few Saturdays, when we'll be talking about using #SciComm, #SciPol, and advocacy for equity in STEM! #ReclaimingSTEM2020
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Meredith Schmehl, PhD @meredithschmehl.com · 18/08/2020
Very excited to be selected to attend @Reclaiming_STEM! Looking forward to spending a few Saturday afternoons connecting and learning about #SciComm, #SciPol, and advocacy for equity in STEM! #ReclaimingSTEM2020
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