Dr. Julia is a forward-thinking leader, innovator, and mentor with over two decades of global impact in higher education, STEM and social innovation.  Julia drove the strategic vision for UTEC, a new startup engineering and technology university in Peru as its Executive Vice Provost whilst serving concurrently in a separate role as the Executive Director for Education and Research for the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. 

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Julia also held the position of Professor of Astrophysics within Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences and of NASA Prize Fellow at MIT.  In these roles, she has led over 40 scientific programs, conducted experimental research using over 21 international facilities, pioneered a new subfield, influenced satellite technology development, and established /co-founded multidisciplinary research centres, including for environmental science, data science, and arts conservation.  

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Julia has served on science advisories for the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the European Space Agency, and on the Executive Committee for US High Energy Astrophysics. She has also advised international governments on systemic reforms in higher education and delivered numerous talks at 70+ prestigious venues globally, including a keynote lecture to the United Nations Development Program.  Julia has published 100+ research articles, including co-authoring the 2011 Nobel Prize-winning paper on cosmic acceleration. She is the recipient of the 2015 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, the NASA Prize Fellowship and the Isaac Newton Fellowship.  Julia holds a PhD in Astrophysics from University of Cambridge, dual B.S. degrees in Applied Math and Physics from UCLA as well as Certifications from the MIT Sloan School for Entrepreneurship and Leadership.

 

Known for her passion and commitment, Julia is dedicated to advancing innovation to deliver paradigm-shifting solutions that address critical global challenges and promote sustainability.