Julia’s research focused on neuronal cereblon, a protein important for cognitive function. Cereblon also induces toxicity of tau (a protein key to neuron structure). Never explored before, Julia has been working to identify how traumatic brain injury (TBI)—an important risk factor for tauopathies (tau aggregate-related neurodegenerative diseases)—affects cereblon levels and activity. Her results indicate that cereblon increases following TBI. This is important because inhibiting excessive cereblon after TBI may hold therapeutic potential for mitigating tauopathies such as Alzheimer's Disease. Julia has a passion for neuroscience and plans to continue her research.