Laura Fox-Goharioon, 40 Years

Tell us about your career at Emory.

Laura holds the position of core director III for the Core Labs within the School of Medicine.

 I started working at Emory fresh out of graduate school in 1984, in the Cell Biology lab of Dr. Win Sale. Over the 27 years that I ran his lab, I was fortunate to publish papers, present at meetings, and work with many talented students, both undergraduate and graduate. The most rewarding part has been seeing these students succeed in their own careers. In 2012, I shifted focus to work with microscopes and helped develop the imaging core facility, ICI. I worked as an imaging specialist for many years before stepping into the interim director position, and in 2022, I became the core director. In this role, I lead a team of five talented scientists. We collaborate with researchers to meet their microscopy needs, including training on various microscopes, experimental design, and imaging support.

What are some of your favorite memories of your time at Emory?

When I first started working at Emory, parking cost five dollars, and I could park right outside my building. My children grew up here, attending summer camps on campus, which makes this place even more special to me.

What are some of the most significant changes you have witnessed over the course of your career?

Emory has grown tremendously over these forty years. I watched the Dobbs University Center go up and then saw it torn down to make way for the new student center. I moved from the Anatomy and Physiology building, now part of the medical school, into the Whitehead building when it was brand new. From my lab window, I watched dorms and parking decks rise. I have seen many talented students pass through the Cell Biology Department, and I had the proud moment of seeing my own daughter graduate from Emory.

Laura in 1987 with her principal investigator, Dr. Win Sale, from the Department of Cell Biology, along with her lab mates.

Is there anything you miss from back in the day?

I miss some of the restaurants that have come and gone. A few, like the Depot, I wish were still here. And of course, I miss the five-dollar parking.

What do you hope for the future of Emory?

I hope Emory continues on its path of excellence and diversity. When people comment on how long I have been here, I tell them this is a great place to work because of the university’s culture, shaped by the faculty, staff, and students. They are what make this institution great.