Meet Julia Zeh, future marine biologist, creative writer, and this week’s CU Women in STEM profile!

Bwog Science is back with CU Women in STEM, where we highlight the amazing women in science at Columbia. Today’s profile is from Julia Zeh (CC ’18), future star marine biologist!

Major: Environmental Biology

What subjects are you interested in? Marine biology, bioacoustics, behavioral ecology, and conservation. I’m really interested in how we can use acoustics to monitor whale and dolphin behavior and look at how noisy human activities in the ocean (like shipping or drilling for oil and gas) impacts marine mammals’ ability to communicate.

Can you remember the specific moment that got you hooked on marine biology? I grew up on Long Island just a few blocks away from the beach. I’ve always been a nature/animals girl; when I was in first grade I did a project about dolphins so I guess I’ve just never really grown out of it. Then when I started learning about what humans were doing to the environment, I knew I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to conservation.

What research have you done? I studied abroad last year in Scotland, where I studied dolphin vocalizations. I also currently do research in an office at the Bronx Zoo on dugongs in Madagascar, humpback whale vocalizations in New York, and field work observing whales in New York.

What are your career goals? I’ll be starting my PhD this fall, where I’ll be studying marine mammal acoustics. I would eventually like to be a professor; my goals are to focus on research and teaching with an emphasis on science communication.

Favorite scientist? Marie Curie. Not only was she an incredible scientist but she also was a really admirable woman who put up with a lot of shit from men. I also really like her because I went to her tomb in the Pantheon in Paris and it was super inspiring to see the hundreds of notes which people from all over the world had left on her tomb about how Marie Curie has inspired their careers and goals. It was a really emotional and intense experience.

Favorite science building on campus? Schermerhorn (the extension)! I have 3 out of 4 of my classes there this semester and my DUS has a snake in his office and there’s a greenhouse on the roof.

What do you do BESIDES science? I’m stage managing the 124th Annual Varsity Show (SEE THE VARSITY SHOW)! I also take a lot of creative writing courses (that I don’t really seem to have enough time for) because I really like to read and write. I read far too much Jonathan Franzen, but it’s fine because I know it’s problematic.

What advice would you give to someone interested in a STEM major? Even though it’s terrifying to email professors or affiliated faculty to get involved with their research, just go for it and do it early on. That’s what professors are there for: to mentor students and to teach them how to do research. Spend your first year finding out what you’re most passionate about, and then just follow your heart, as cheesy as that sounds. Experiment with different classes and different research groups, and don’t be afraid to reach out to faculty and older students. Do what you love. Too many people tell me they always wanted to be a marine biologist but don’t have a good reason for why they didn’t pursue it. Every field needs a good scientist like you, so don’t be afraid to spend your life doing what you’re passionate about.

Favorite classes/professors at Barnard/Columbia? “Science and Sensibility” with Meehan Crist. I got to indulge in my two favorite things–creative writing and science–to write creative nonfiction about the subjects I study.

We hope you enjoyed this column! If you know of any awesome women in STEM at Columbia whom you think would be a great subject for this column, please email us at science@bwog.com.