Julia Camargo, HS Biology and IB Environmental Science Teacher
An ocean of possibilities
Laura Martinez, Staff Writer
High School Biology and IB Environmental Science Teacher Julia Camargo has always felt a deep connection to the sea.
“Since I was a child, our family vacations have been to the beach,” she said. “It’s always been part of my life.”
Fascinated by the way nature creates life, Julia originally aspired to be a doctor. But a high school trip to USP’s Cebimar, a marine biology research center, opened her eyes to an ocean of possibilities—one in which she could explore her passion for nature’s artistry and her love for the sea.
Julia went on to obtain her bachelor's degree in marine biology and coastal management from the São Paulo State University (UNESP) and a Master of Science in biological oceanography from USP, where she researched ocean pollution and contamination.
“The ocean has an immensity of diversity; there are no physical barriers,” she said. “It’s fascinating to see how the organisms work and survive.”
Julia joined Graded as a lab technician. Moved by a desire to share her knowledge and encouraged by colleagues in the school's Science Department, Julia transitioned from the lab to the classroom.
As a teacher, Julia aims to instill the value of curiosity in her students, encouraging them to investigate, research, test, and fact-check information to reach conclusions on their own. She integrates real-world examples of accomplished scientists into her lessons, inspiring them to recognize how the skills they have acquired in class are applicable to a wide range of professions.
“It makes me happy when students realize that science isn’t as complicated as they may think,” she said.
Julia’s advice for future scientists:Try to understand what you are truly passionate about. What sparks your curiosity? What do you want to investigate? What do you want to discover? Beyond that, you need to have persistence because it's not an easy career. You'll face challenges, and you'll need to find what's important to you to keep going. |
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