Ep. 207 Dr. Julia Nepper on Starting a Ph.D. at 18 & The Power of Peer Mentorship

Dr. Julia Nepper

PhD in Biophysics

University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Dr. Julia Nepper was thrust into advanced academia at the remarkable age of 12 when she enrolled in community college. She went on to do her doctoral degree at age 18 and in this episode, we hear about her extraordinary education journey. With a Ph.D. in biophysics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and significant experience as a science writer, Dr. Nepper has now returned to UW-Madison as a post-doc researcher. In our conversation, she shares insight into her doctorate dissertation project and the scientific and social focal points of her current research. She opens up about the role of mentorship in her life and the power of peer mentorship, in particular. Tune in to hear Dr. Nepper’s fascinating story and her well-informed advice for Black female doctoral students to maintain perspective and thrive in the academic world and beyond.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Julia Nepper’s personal and educational background.

• Her experience of attending community college at age 12.

• Her parents’ respective roles in her homeschooling.

• Dr. Nepper’s tertiary educational journey.

• Her experience of doing her doctorate at age 18.

• The added challenge of being a woman in an academic setting and how she overcame it.

• Insight into her dissertation project.

• The role of mentorship in her life.

• How she landed a job as a science writer, what the job entailed, and why she chose to leave.

• Why she chose to go back to UW-Madison to do her post-doc.

• Her regrets about her doctoral journey.

• Dr. Nepper’s advice for current Black female doctoral students.

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The Cohort Sistas Podcast brings to life the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women and femmes with doctoral degrees and their lives beyond the degree. If you are a Black woman or non-binary scholar looking for resources, mentorship, and support along your doctoral journey, join the Cohort Sistas community. If you are looking for more information on how to support or partner with Cohort Sistas, please visit our partnerships page. Find us on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to follow The Cohort Sistas Podcast, rate the show, and leave us a quick review.