Hannah Thomasy in The Scientist:
When Julie Moreno arrived at Texas A&M University as a first-generation student in 2000, she wanted to work in veterinary medicine. But the opportunity to work in a research laboratory during her time as an undergraduate ignited her passion for science and changed the course of her life. “Before that, I was never exposed to research,” said Moreno. “I didn’t even know it was an option.”
Once she had discovered this career path, she never looked back. After completing her undergraduate degree, she applied to a PhD program at Colorado State University (CSU), where her interest in neuroscience began to blossom. “I love the brain,” she enthused. “It’s super exciting because there’s so many unknowns—like a big puzzle that we haven’t figured out yet.” In her graduate work, Moreno investigated the neurotoxic effects of manganese exposure on brain development, exploring the roles of glial cells and neuroinflammatory pathways in mediating these effects and identifying estrogen as a potential protective factor.1,2 She impressed fellow lab members, including Katriana Popichak, an undergraduate researcher at the time, with her dedication to her research as well as her unflagging commitment to helping others.
More here.
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