Featured Alumni: Juliana Sullivan
Juliana Sullivan graduated from Sierra High School in Tollhouse, CA in 2018 and became a part of the Smittcamp Family Honors College in the fall of that year.
Juliana presenting her research.
At Fresno State, she was involved in the Bulldoggers Rodeo Team, the Fresno State Mule Packing Team, and the Jordan College of Agriculture Honors Program.
Now, Juliana is a first year in the pharmacology and toxicology PhD program at the University of California, Davis. In the spring of this year, she was accepted into the Veterinary Scientist Training Program, which will allow her to obtain a PhD in the middle of her veterinary education.
She is studying genetic variations in drug metabolizing enzymes and how they can affect drug metabolism and clearance in horses.
Juliana says, “My interest in research stemmed from the scholarly activity that is required of graduating seniors in the honors college. The Smittcamp scholarship gave me a great foundation to pursue a graduate education.”
The Journey to Veterinary School
“Growing up in the Central Valley, I had heard about people receiving the Smittcamp scholarship and all of the great opportunities that came with it. I submitted my application in the fall of 2017, and waited in anticipation until February of 2018. Each year in February, Sierra High School holds a fundraiser for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program called donkey basketball.
Juliana and friends at the President’s Honors Scholars Awards Dinner.
“After I got done competing in the game and putting the donkey away, my counselor came up to me and said, “Have you checked the mail? I think the Smittcamp decision letters were sent out.” I quickly drove home and found exactly what she had asked about in the mail. I opened the letter and found out that I had received the Smittcamp scholarship.
“At the first counseling session in May of 2018, I did not really know what classes I should be taking, I just knew that I wanted to take the right classes to be able to apply to veterinary school. Dr. Attar assured me that I was on the right track, and that there were other Smittcamp students who had already gotten into veterinary school. That was one of the first signs that I had found a community of people who were generous with their time and knowledge and were interested in helping me achieve my goals.
“As I advance in my academic journey, I have continued to look for these same qualities in mentors. After completing my training program, I hope to stay in academia, and pay it forward by sharing what I have been able to learn with both students and clinicians.
Juliana and friends in Spain.
“During a colloquium talk freshman year, a few students talked about a 3 week study abroad trip to Spain they had gone on during the summer. I began looking into that and discovered that there were 3 other Smittcamp students interested in going as well. We became good friends on that trip, despite them being in the cohort above me.
“Smittcamp taught me a lot about finding what I have in common with others instead of focusing on the ways we are different. This perspective has helped me tremendously, and I don’t think these lessons would have impacted me the same way had I gone somewhere else for college.
“I am just as thankful today as I was when I first received my letter of acceptance for this program. It was everything I had hoped for, and a lot more.“
Fast Round Questions
I miss volunteering at: Fresno Greek Fest
Favorite honors course: NSCI 4H with Dr. Ray Hall, Professor of Physics
Favorite COPS event: Smittcamp Formal
Favorite office snack: Peach Jewels
Smittcamp Volunteers with Kopi Sotiropulos at Fresno Greek Fest.