Hi there!
My name is Julia Migliore, and I am a scientist in-training.
One of my all-time favorite things to do in the world is to talk to people about science, especially about the molecular level of life.
Everything that happens in our bodies can be traced back to the molecules that our bodies are made of (proteins, sugars, lipids, and nucleic acids). My favorite of these are proteins because they are just so diverse (not as boring as nutrition labels make them seem)! If something in the cell needs to be done, there is probably a protein just right for the job.
I think proteins are so cool that I am planning to learn about them for the rest of my life. I am currently working on a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of North Texas. My research focuses on the proteins found in our muscles. The lab that I work in designs small man-made proteins that might treat heart diseases one day!
Before my graduate studies, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at Loyola University New Orleans. There, I got to practice being a scientist for the first time. I studied the expression of collagen II during joint development, and I also found a love for proteins in my first Biochemistry course.
Before I went to college, I sat in a high school Anatomy & Physiology class and learned how muscles work. I was blown away by the idea that my movements were actually made by millions of teeny tiny protein parts… and that’s when I knew I wanted to do science.
I am both a researcher and a believer in the Christian faith.
In recent decades, science and faith have been pitted against each other as opposing forces, as if one proves the other false. This is a tragedy for both science and faith, and I feel a special responsibility to help rebuild the bridge. This is why I have dedicated a space for topics which intersect both spheres.
Faith gives a special depth and purpose to scientific discovery. Science describes wonders which inspire faith. If you profess Christian faith and you have trouble accepting certain scientific findings, I encourage you to pray for clarity and keep exploring. If you are a science-minded person and you do not see how faith can be a result of logic and reason, I encourage you to explore also. My personal experience has shown me that an attitude of exploration and a habit of critical thinking does wonders.
I hope you will join me in this adventure through the world of proteins, their makeup, their shapes, their jobs, and their impact. See you in the blog!
Julia Migliore 