Julie Horvath, PhD is a Senior Research Scientist at the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her bachelor’s degree in Zoology with a genetics concentration from Michigan State University and went on to earn a PhD in Human Genetics from Case Western Reserve University. She is an Associate Director for the Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine, she is a Research Adjunct in the Genomics & Microbiology Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at NC State University. Her research uses evolutionary and comparative approaches to explore primate genomics and the connection between host and microbial genetics and the impact on health and behavior. She brings expertise in team science, science communication, and citizen science projects that engage thousands of students and the public in her genetics and skin microbiome research on human and animal health and well-being. She is passionate about broadening STEM training and engaging students and the public in scientific research that impacts their daily lives.