Julia Sonn

Julia Sonn received her bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas in Biology in 2006.  She then spent three years working as a biological field technician in eight different states. She decided to pursue a master's degree in biology from the University of Texas at Tyler, which she received in 2011, and then a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, earned at Tulane in 2016.

For her dissertation, she studied the influence of temperature on a fungal pathogen that infects amphibians. Dr. Sonn has stayed on at Tulane as a visiting assistant professor where she teaches diversity of life labs and lecture courses for undergraduates that discuss topics such as climate change (Global Environmental Change), extinction, dinosaurs, (History of life) and why humans suffer from conditions such as morning sickness (Evolution of Human Health and Disease).
 
What are your favorite activities when you are not working?
I love to cook, sew, hike, camp, and play with animals.
 
What is the best advice you've ever received?
The best advice I ever received was from my dad who is also a professor. He said that you should not go to grad school until you are really excited about it, and this is true because if you are burnt out from school or aren't really committed to it, it is exhausting and frustrating, but if you are enthusiastic and committed, it can be a great experience.
 
What advice would you give to someone who's considering finishing their degree, or starting for the first time as an adult?
While college is a lot of fun, working and adult life are also great because at the end of the day you can go home and relax, without homework or projects hanging over you. Also, crock pots are great for working adults.