Walking across the 2019 Adams State University Spring Commencement stage, Julie Starkey accepted her diploma for a Bachelor of Science in cellular and molecular biology, graduating Cum Laude, with honors. The act signified a completion of four years of classes, labs, work-study, undergraduate research, and participation in campus organizations. What wasn’t written on the diploma is just as significant, especially for a first-generation college student. “I have the opportunity to make my passions a career, which is something my parents were not able to do.”
A native of Fountain, Colo., Starkey chose Adams State for affordability and an excellent biology program. She believes the reward of earning a bachelor’s degree was worth the sacrifice financially and the commitment to succeed academically. This fall she enters the Colorado State University Microbiology Ph.D. program and will spend the next five years conducting infectious disease research.
Thanks to her major professors, especially research advisor, Dr. Adam Kleinschmit, associate professor of biology, she participated in research projects and summer internships and attended conferences. “As a scientist, I have learned how to think critically and think outside the box to answer challenging biological questions,” Starkey said.
She and Sam Ogden (microbiology major who graduated in May 2019) received first place in the poster presentation competition and for best research abstract at the Adams State 2018 Student Scholar Days. They presented the same poster Metagenome Sequence Analysis of Microbial Communities Associated with Acid Rock Drainage in the Alamosa River Watershed during the National Biological Honor Society Conference at the University of Northern Colorado. Starkey also had two summer internships: the UPN Biomedical Internship at the University of New Mexico and microbial biochemistry research related to bioenergy (GLBRC SURP) at Michigan State University.
Her dedication to her studies paid off when she received the prestigious Porter Scholars, the Vice President’s Merit Scholarship, the Lorraine Young Memorial Scholarship, the James and Irene Craft Scholarship, and the Donald H. Hopper Memorial Scholarship. She also worked as a biology lab assistant and tutored students in general chemistry. “My work-study supervisors supported me through challenges in my work-study positions and worked hard to ensure open communication.”
As well as focusing on her academics, Starkey took active roles in campus clubs including TriBeta, the biological honor society, serving as an officer for two of the three years. She was also the AS&F Representative for TriBeta, and an Associated Students and Faculty Senate member for two years.
“I have definitely grown as both an individual and a scientist over the last four years. Socially, I have come out of my shell and have met many incredible people here at Adams State.”
