Congratulations to Dr. Julie (Betsch) Weckworth on her successful dissertation defense

Julia and Scott post defense presentation

Earlier this May, Mills' lab member Julie (Betsch) Weckworth gave her dissertation seminar on her PhD research "Ecology, epidemiology, and evolutionary genetics of Canine distemper virus spillover in African lions," and successfully defended her dissertation to her committee.  Congratulations to Dr. Julie (Betsch) Weckworth on this great accomplishment!  We know you'll continue to do great work as you enter professional life.  As paraphrased from her co-advisor Scott Mills, all of what Julie had done before grad school and what she has accomplished at UM are the blueprints to be a successful conservation biologist in the future.    

Luckily for the Mills Lab, Julie will remain in Missoula with her new position as a Research Wildlife and Disease Ecologist with the National Genomics Center at the Rocky Mountain Research Station, US Forest Service.  She'll be working on white-nose syndrome in bats, genetic health of a reintroduced fisher population, and bighorn sheep - domestic sheep contact at the human-wildlife interface in new role.

Again, congrats Julie!

Feature Image:  Julie and Scott following her successful dissertation defense.

Julie presenting her dissertation defense

Julie presenting her dissertation defense seminar.