Julia joined the Van Vliet Group in March 2024. Prior to joining, she worked as a clinical research coordinator at Baylor College of Medicine, where she helped lead the research operations and execution of emergency medicine clinical trials within the Texas Medical Center—the world’s largest medical center.

She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Brigham Young University in 2023. As an undergraduate research assistant in the Brain and Behavior Lab, she analyzed brain connectivity data to map broader neural networks affected by localized damage. There, she conducted an independent research project that mapped the neural basis of ideomotor apraxia.

Julia plans to pursue a medical degree and is particularly interested in neurology and psychiatry, among other specialties. Outside the lab, she enjoys scuba diving, surfing, and running.