JULIA'S TRUTH

Image Creds: Weibel Lab photo taken by Robin O. Davies.

Tell me about yourself.

Julia: My name is Julia and I am multiracial. My dad is from Michigan and my mom is from Jamaica. My culture is not traditionally white and not traditionally African American so I have a unique perspective on race relations in America. I was homeschooled. I did 2nd through 8th grade in 4 years and I passed all the tests and started college full time at 12 and earned my Ph.D. in biophysics at 23. Originally, my story was just a local news story and I guess people kept sharing and it ended up on The Shade Room. I really love learning that's why I got a Ph.D. I like teaching people. I'm interested in humanitarian and science outreach and translating what we do in the lab into something people will understand and pay for. I am a huge nerd. I watch all the Marvel movies and t.v. shows and I play Dungeons and Dragons.

What are your beauty struggles?

Julia: Dealing with my hair is the biggest thing. Madison, Wisconsin is a great place, but getting my hair cut is a nightmare. I would go to the salon and the hairstylist would look at my hair and be like what do I do with this. Same with makeup and hair care products; finding a concealer or hair product that works for me is so difficult. 

Being a woman in academia, there is double standard. I'm not supposed to look like I put too much effort into what I look like because then people think I am trying too hard and wasting time on my appearance, but I'm also not supposed to look bad because I am supposed to be ladylike and put together and attractive. 

What's the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Julia: I wouldn't have made it this far without all the advice I have received. I think the best piece of advice I have received in various forms is that the path you take to get somewhere will probably not be linear. In academia, if you want to be a professor the standard is you go to undergrad, you get a Ph.D., do a postdoc, and become a professor, but in reality, it could be longer or shorter than that. It's important to remember that just because things aren't going as fast as you want them to doesn't mean it won't happen. 

How important has community been for you?

Community has been super important for me in grad school. Two other students joined my lab at the same time as I did. We have all gone through the same struggles so we understand each other. Without them, it would have been hard to deal with all the stresses of a Ph.D. It is important to have mentors, but also to have peers that understand what you're going through.

What is your self-care routine?

That is something I need to work on. Weight has always been an issue for me. When I'm stressed, I don't eat and lose so much weight. I always have to make sure I'm eating often and regularly. I also do aikido, a defense Japanese martial art, because it's a full body workout that has practical uses and has a great community that has helped me through grad school. I always make sure I leave time for myself. Just because you can stay longer at work, doesn't mean you should. On my days off, I shut everything down and it's just me and Netflix. I love listening to Celtic music, heavy metal, and pop. My favorite song right now is River by Bishop Briggs.

Keep up with Julia on her Journey:

Blog: Wee Knight Science, weeknightsci.blogspot.com

Twitter: @DietDrNepper

Featured writings: País de Abril, http://people.uncw.edu/almeidaa/index_photo.html