Dr. Kate Hong

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Kate Hong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. She completed her Ph.D. at Harvard University and has pursued postdoctoral research at Columbia University and Boston Children's Hospital. Her research focuses on the important functions of the brain in responding to rapidly changing stimuli in the environment. Dr. Hong investigates how sensory information is processed across interconnected areas of the brain, aiming to understand the mechanisms by which these circuits mediate sensory perception and guide behavioral decisions. Her research combines animal behavior studies, high-speed imaging, motion tracking, and in vivo electrophysiology, particularly using the mouse whisker system as a model. Through her work, she seeks to elucidate how cortical and subcortical activities cooperate in sensory-motor transformations and provides insights into behavioral deficits and recovery mechanisms associated with cortical injuries. Dr. Hong has contributed to several significant publications in the field, emphasizing her active engagement in advancing our understanding of sensory processing.

Research Interests

Requirements for Carnegie Mellon University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
GRE General
Verbal
Required:158
Quantitative
Required:149
Analytical Writing
Required:4
Overall
Required:4
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Research experience/publications
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores (optional but reported in profile)
  • English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
Specialization Notes

Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.