Employee Spotlight: Julia Carlson

Meet ORAU employee Julia Carlson. Julia is an ORAU contractor working under the National Student Services Contract (NSSC) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Working in Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory Support in Duluth, MN, Julia supports EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD), The Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), and the Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED). Julia’s work with GLTED focuses on freshwater ecotoxicity and freshwater coastal ecology. The Division encompasses traditional and predictive toxicity using advanced scientific tools to produce science to inform ecological risk assessments of chemicals by EPA’s Program Offices and Regions.

Julia’s work with the CCTE and the GLTED team includes assisting in one of several aquatic toxicology projects evaluating different aspects of chemical toxicity in aquatic organisms and assisting with general laboratory activities. In addition, she is currently working on a variety of projects. A few highlights include characterizing gene expression and deiodinase enzyme activity among different tissues across developmental stages in Xenopus Tropicalis, using CRISPR to create functional knockouts within specific genomes of Xenopus Tropicalis to determine the role the knockout plays in development, as well as exposing Xenopus Laevis tadpoles to diluted concentrations of target chemicals to analyze and observe any effects they might have on development.

When asked what her favorite part of working at EPA has been so far, Julia said, “My favorite part about joining the EPA team has been gaining lab experience and growing my passion for scientific research in addition to connecting with those who share similar goals.”

Background

Julia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. Growing up Julia had an affinity for science and all things water related. She was either concocting chemistry mixtures, spending time by the water, or trying to convince her parents to get her a microscope. Throughout high school, she discovered she enjoyed science and decided to further her curiosity at The College of St. Scholastica. It wasn’t until her junior year after taking numerous hands-on lab courses she realized she wanted to pursue a research career. Julia graduated in Spring of 2023 with a biology degree and began her job search. She landed the position of Aquatic Toxicology Lab Technician through ORAU and EPA’s Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division in her hometown of Duluth, MN.

Fun Facts:  Julia enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching hockey, spoiling her dog, and baking. When the weather permits, she likes spending time on Lake Superior, hiking, and playing tennis.