Student Spotlight- Julia Jamison
Hello! My name is Julia Jamison and I am a first-year EPM student specializing in Marine Resource Management. I graduated in 2023 from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences, with an option in Environmental Policy and Economics, and minors in Biology and Chemistry. I worked at Robyn Tanguay’s Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Lab at Oregon State University for two years, including a gap year between my undergraduate and graduate studies. As the lead screening technician, I collaborated with PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff scientists to study zebrafish as a toxicology model, identifying hazardous chemicals in the environment, uncovering the mechanisms driving their toxicity, and examining their impact on human biological development. Outside of my classes at UC Davis, I work part-time as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) in both the Ocean Climate Lab and the Gaylord Lab. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in marine policy and management, though I have broader interests in conservation and ecology as well.
Can you tell us about your work as a GSR?
I work both under Dr. Tessa Hill at the Ocean Climate Lab and Dr. Brian Gaylord at the Gaylord Lab. I split my time between working remotely and once a week driving out to Bodega Marine Laboratory to do lab work. As a GSR I am not working on my own project, however I am instead assisting with multiple ongoing projects. Some of those projects include PhD student Elisabeth Sellinger’s work on understanding the impact seagrass meadows have on carbon sequestration. I assist Elisabeth by analyzing sediment core samples taken from Elkhorn Slough and Richardson Bay and testing them for total organic matter, grain size and more.
Another project I assist on is the Applied California Current Ecosystems Studies (ACCESS) keystone dataset project, which we collaborate on with Point Blue Conservation Science. My role involves analyzing seawater samples collected from different locations and depths along the California coast. The data we gather contributes to the Multistressor Observations of Coastal Hypoxia and Acidification (MOCHA) synthesis, the most detailed dataset on ocean acidification and hypoxia along the U.S. West Coast. These datasets help resource managers and conservation groups understand how ocean conditions and human activities affect wildlife, ultimately supporting efforts to protect marine ecosystems. Being involved in these projects allows me to contribute to meaningful research that informs marine conservation efforts, and I find it especially fulfilling to see how our findings can directly support environmental policy and management decisions.
Why did you decide that you wanted to pursue research?
Coming from a research-focused undergraduate background, I was initially nervous that joining the EPM program might mean stepping away from research altogether. I’ve always aspired to work at the intersection of science, policy, and management, but I once thought that pursuing all three would require sacrificing one for the other, something I later realized wasn’t true. So when the opportunity arose to work with Dr. Tessa Hill, I knew I couldn’t pass it up, as it allowed me to continue engaging in research while integrating it into broader environmental decision-making.
How do you hope to use the skills developed through your coursework combined with the research skills you’ve developed?
Through my EPM coursework, I hope to develop stronger communication and management skills that will allow me to effectively engage with both the scientific and policy communities. Combining these skills with my research background will ultimately position me to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and policy implementation, ensuring that research-driven insights lead to meaningful environmental solutions.
How do you balance your research, coursework and service on the EPM Social Committee?
Having a set schedule for each of my responsibilities has been key to balancing my time. It’s not always easy, but using planners and alarms helps me stay on track. I’m also grateful for the incredible friends I’ve made in the EPM program, our support system keeps us accountable with assignments, ensures we make time for extracurricular activities, and even helps us stay on top of practicum searches.
Why did you decide to volunteer your time on the Social Committee? Why do you think the Social Committee is important?
During my time at Oregon State University, I served as an officer in the science sorority Sigma Delta Omega, where I gained valuable experience planning events and fostering a sense of community. When I joined the EPM program, I saw an opportunity to apply those skills by contributing to the Social Committee. I chose to volunteer because I believe that being a good student is only part of who we are, building connections and finding balance outside of coursework is just as important. The Social Committee plays a vital role in ensuring that students have opportunities to engage, have fun, and get to know each other beyond the classroom, strengthening our overall experience in the program.
If you had a piece of advice to share with prospective students, what would it be?
Try everything! This is your chance to be a student again, take the classes you've always wanted to try, attend that event you spotted on a bulletin board, and step outside your comfort zone. You’re not limited to just “Policy and Management”, there are endless opportunities to engage in science, join a club sport, get involved in campus activities, and more. UC Davis is the perfect place to immerse yourself in new experiences, so make the most of it while you're here!