Title: Associate Professor
Employer: Saint Louis University

Julie received her BS in 2003 from University of Illinois in Plant Biology. She then went on to get her PhD from Washington University in St. Louis in 2008.

Currently, Julie is a non-tenure track teaching professor. She teaches a range of courses, including intro bio, genetics, a molecular biology techniques lab, and a plants and fungi course with a lab. Although she doesn’t have a research position, she has been involved in collaborating in research with another plant biologist in her department and advises undergrads every year on independent research projects.

“My plant biology professors were all engaging and led me to graduate school! My experience with my undergrad advisor, Dr. Cheeseman, has really influenced how I try to interact with the students I advise.”

Julie would be a great person to talk to if you’re interested in learning what academia and higher education could look like in a teaching-focused position. If you are interested in becoming a faculty member but would like to focus on teaching, with or without research, Julie can help you figure out what that could look like and how to be successful.

Contact Christina Swanson at alumnimentor@sib.illinois.edu if you would like to connect with Julie.