Julia Davidson
(Term 2026 - Present)
Julia Davidson is a second year PhD student with a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) fellowship in the Environmental and Agricultural Chemistry Graduate Group at University of California, Davis (UC Davis). With the mentorship of Dr. Brett Poulin, Julia studies interaction between selenium and methylmercury that may detoxify methylmercury within in vivo systems like fish. In her research, Julia falls back on her analytical chemistry skills developed as a student obtaining her B.S. in chemistry at the University of Nevada, Reno, as a technician in an environmental chemistry lab where she focused on local microplastic research questions at Desert Research Institute, and as a research analyst at a pharmaceutical safety assessment site post-undergraduate graduation.
After some time in industry, Julia transitioned back towards work involving environmental problems and the creation of impactful solutions as an air quality specialist with Northern Nevada Public Health. Julia worked in industry and government roles after obtaining her undergraduate degrees, but her love of gaining and sharing knowledge drew her back to academia. Joining the Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry Graduate Group at UC Davis was the natural choice for her because it allows her to apply her chemistry background directly to applied environmental research questions while having the flexibility to engage in outreach. At UC Davis, Julia is a graduate student association representative for her graduate group and volunteers with Stem Squad, a free after-school program where she helps implement inquiry-based learning STEM Lessons in local middle schools.
After some time in industry, Julia transitioned back towards work involving environmental problems and the creation of impactful solutions as an air quality specialist with Northern Nevada Public Health. Julia worked in industry and government roles after obtaining her undergraduate degrees, but her love of gaining and sharing knowledge drew her back to academia. Joining the Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry Graduate Group at UC Davis was the natural choice for her because it allows her to apply her chemistry background directly to applied environmental research questions while having the flexibility to engage in outreach. At UC Davis, Julia is a graduate student association representative for her graduate group and volunteers with Stem Squad, a free after-school program where she helps implement inquiry-based learning STEM Lessons in local middle schools.