Lab Scientists Under the Microscope: Meet Julie Viruez

Last spring, in celebration of Lab Week, we published a series of profiles highlighting the lives and work of public health laboratory professionals around the country.

Lab professionals excitedly told us about their favorite lab instruments, spared no details when describing the most “interesting” specimen they ever worked on and just generally gave us a fascinating look at their lives inside and out of the lab. The response to that blog series was so positive, we decided to keep the party going for Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month (PHLAM) and put more scientists under the microscope. Each week of PHLAM, we’ll highlight another scientist and give you an insider’s glimpse into their lives on the bench—and beyond. What fulfills them? What fuels them? And where do they find fun along the way?

Julie Viruez, training coordinator and responsible official, Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Laboratory Services

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

A marine biologist. I spent a lot of time at the beach, and one of my favorite things to do was to walk on the reef during low tide. My first role here at the lab was as a microbiologist. So, I worked in microbiology instead of marine biology. It’s still one of the “ologies.”

If that’s different from what you’re doing now, what made you change course?

I was a military brat, so when we moved to Tennessee, I wasn’t exposed to the beach anymore and didn’t spend much time with fresh water. But I have always been an observant person, which is what drew me to the field of science.

What was your first job?

I was a hostess in a Chinese restaurant. My responsibilities were to take care of the front-of-the-house and the to-go orders. I loved being busy, and I did a pretty good job of packing carryout orders.

What’s one thing you love about laboratory science?

Lab science gives you facts. It gives you something real that you can work with. So, if you want to test an idea, you can put it through the process and see the results. Your results will only be as good as your science and techniques are. Without science, everything would just be a guess.

What’s one thing about lab scientists that you wish everyone else knew?

If you are an introvert drawn to the laboratory because you have seen it on TV as a quiet, dark place to work…we (all of us introverts) are here waiting for you!