Student Spotlight: Julia Joo

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m from Seattle, Wash., and attended the University of Washington for my undergraduate degree in biochemistry and biology. Ophthalmology is my intended specialty.

Describe your experience at the Lerner College of Medicine.

I’ve always believed it’s the best medical school. It has a great structure for research. Because there are no exams, I had the opportunity to spend time doing things I was passionate about rather than focusing solely on testing. I also participated in the dual degree program, so I graduated with a Master of Public Health degree in addition to my MD degree.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your education?

During the pandemic, I got involved in the Community Outreach and Service-Learning Action Group. Our goal was to build up community outreach experiences during an unfortunate time. As one of the student co-leads, I was able to help create a student-run health group at Haven Home, a resource for pregnant women and mothers with children under 5. It was really affirming to see our work come together on our first day at the health clinic and to hear the students talk about how meaningful it was to them, especially during a time when we often didn’t get to physically practice medicine.

Both you and your sister applied to CCLCM. Tell us more.

I found out about CCLCM through my sister. She initially applied, but she wasn’t as interested in research. I, on the other hand, love research and knew I wanted to incorporate it into my career. It just felt like the perfect fit!

Describe your research project.

My research was about circadian rhythm disruption in optic neuritis, which is a common presenting symptom of multiple sclerosis. I conducted RNA sequencing to figure out what was happening on a transcriptomic level. My research mentor, Dr. Sujata Rao, suggested the topic and supported me throughout the project. I’m really grateful for her mentorship.

Also, I’m first author on an ophthalmology paper that was just accepted for publication. The research focuses on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in diabetic retinopathy, which is a hot topic in ophthalmology right now.

What about your education best prepared you for your future?

The emphasis on building presentation skills is something I really appreciate about CCLCM. Those skills are crucial as we become leaders in the medical realm. Also, the communication skills program helped make me feel comfortable talking with patients early on.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to the program?

There are going to be so many opportunities to do things at CCLCM; it’s okay to say no and establish boundaries. Also, try to prioritize self-care. It's easy to compare yourself to everyone else in the program, but, honestly, everyone has something different to offer. Focus on what will make you the best you can be.

Who is your favorite musical artist?

To listen to, I’d say Bruno Mars or Anderson Pak. To sing along to, I’d say either Adele or Beyonce.

You recently sang at the Cleveland Clinic Body Donation memorial service. How did that come about?

The Body Donation team was looking for student musical talent, and I was excited to participate with fellow med students. Back home, I was a member of the Seattle Symphony Chorus, and I was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus during my M2 year.

What’s on the horizon for you?

I’m excited to hopefully become an ophthalmologist! I never thought of myself as a surgeon growing up, and now I so look forward to the prospect and can’t wait to officially start my career.

Fun fact?

I can’t ride a bike, but I can ride a unicycle!