Class of 2024: Julia Riley tackles challenges inside and outside of the classroom

Name: Julia Riley 

College: Engineering

Major/minor: Biological systems engineering with a minor in chemistry and biomedical engineering

Hometown: Chantilly, Virginia 

Plans after graduation: Attend Duke University to obtain her master's degree in biomedical engineering

Favorite Hokie memory: The American Society of Agriculture and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Florida Rally. "Last year, a group of us went to Florida to meet with all the southeastern schools to network, compete, give updates on student chapters, executive board changes etc. It’s a lot of fun and allows you to get to know your fellow students better. It also then gave me the confidence to run for the executive board of our student ASABE chapter.” 

Uncertainity brings rewarding moments

When a student comes to campus for the first time, there’s excitement, nerves, and elation at starting the next chapter. Four years later, those same feelings return as graduation fast approaches, and students look back on their unique college experience, from their chosen major to the research opportunities and extracurriculars. 

Riley, the Outstanding Senior in the College of Engineering, remembers feeling uncertain. However, a moment on the Drillfield watching the sun set during her first week, she got the overwhelming sense she was exactly where she needed to be. That feeling has continued to grow during her time at Virginia Tech. Since starting her first year, she has been involved with three organizations and cancer and stem cell research. For Riley, the latter hit closer to home as during her junior year, her mom’s cancer returned. Through her personal and academic growth along with research opportunities have helped prepare her for her journey ahead.  

Participating in research

Riley originally knew she wanted to study science and combine that with helping people. Since her sophomore year, Riley has been working as an undergradaute research assistant in Sally Johnson’s lab, where they focus on understanding muscle stem cells and how it relates to exercise physiology and muscle repair. Riley credits Sally Johnson, the Paul Mellon Distinguished Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, for being her first role model, by showing her that it is possible to be successful and passionate about a STEM career.  

When asked about Riley, Sally Johnson said “She is an avid learner with a critical mind who integrates well with those around her. I have no doubt that she will develop into an excellent scientist whose work positively impact society. “

Continuing her research path in her junior year, Riley took an internship at the Middleburg Agriculture and Research Extension Center, working on the biomechanics of exercising horses by using high speed cameras and biosensors on the animals' joints. 

“By the end of the internship, all the data I had collected was published, which was a huge moment for me,” Riley said. “It definitely gave me the confidence that I could dive into research I didn’t know a lot about, learn as I go, and not be afraid to ask questions. It made me excited to be a published researcher in the future.” 

Riley took all available opportunities within and outside the biological systems engineering department to continue expanding on her skills. Her final and favorite research opportunity occurred at the INOVA Shar Cancer Institute. It held meaningful significance as this was where her mom had been receiving treatment. While there, Riley worked on a project using artificial intelligence software to look at mammogram images that can determine if someone’s going to develop breast cancer within five years.  

“My mentor, Dr. Rebecca Kaltman, really wanted me to get the full experience, so not only was I working with the mammogram images and incorporating it into the Saville cancer prevention and screening department at the INOVA Shar Cancer Institute but she encouraged me to see all sides of the research-from shadowing physicians, learning about clinical trials to genetic counselors discussing the risk of developing different cancers,” said Riley. 

Outside the classroom

Riley hasn’t just confined herself to class or being in the lab. She has been a leader in her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, on the diversity and inclusion committee, and Bible study group. “Even though they are two completely different experiences within Zeta, I think they both equipped me for being able to approach situations with an open mind and with grace.”  

Riley has also been the vice president of the student chapter of the American Society of Agriculture and Biological Engineers (ASABE). During her time, she was able to attend multiple regional rallies, where all schools within the southeastern region of ASABE gather to share updates and lead workshops with department alumni, organizations. She also mentors incoming students and serves as a department ambassador.  

“Julia takes her role as an ambassador incredibly seriously and sets a strong example for the other members of the group,” said biological systems engineering Academic and Career Advisor Priscilla Baker. “I have listened to Julia schooling prospective students on the many facets of our department on multiple occasions. She accurately and passionately quotes word for word from my ambassador orientation guide, clearly having spent hours becoming an expert on the ecological engineering aspects of our degree, which is not her area of study, so she can speak with confidence to any student who approaches our booth instead of passing them off to a fellow ambassador. She is exceedingly enthusiastic about our department and has an altruistic desire to share her positive experiences.”

Connecting past and future 

Riley wouldn’t change a thing about her time at Virginia Tech. Her various research opportunities, connecting with women in STEM, and her mother's cancer diagnosis has continued to shape her career plans and fuel her passion for learning. With the recent loss of her mother, who continues to inspire her, Riley will be continuing her passion for science and helping people by attending Duke University for her master's degree in biomedical engineering.  

“My journey at Virginia Tech has been an incredibly fulfilling one, that continues to remind me that the unexpected parts of life can sometimes be the most rewarding.”