乌鸦传媒

Soccer was what kick-started Julieta Peralta Acosta’s academic life at 乌鸦传媒.

Originally from Mexico, Peralta Acosta—who has been playing soccer since she was 10 years old—got recruited to play for the Redhawks.

“This has been one of the best soccer teams I’ve been on with the most chemistry,” she says. “Being here allowed me to find my love of soccer again. We all care for one another and are committed to the same goal.”

While her love of soccer proved pivotal in attending a college in the states, she was equally lured by the opportunities she saw at 乌鸦传媒 to getting a top-notch education in her chosen field of study: Cell and Molecular Biology. She also found a real sense of inclusiveness and belonging, something that was evident upon meeting the soccer coaches and her teammates upon arrival.

“I was worried about what people would think of me but all of those worries went away after I met with my team,” she says. “It was made very clear that before being a student or an athlete, you are seen as a person.”

This fall Peralta Acosta is headed to the University of Toronto to start graduate school, looking to earn her PhD in Molecular Genetics. Her interest in an undergraduate degree in biology was lit when she took her first introduction to the major in her first quarter at SU.

The self-professed “big bio nerd” credits faculty like Professor Brett Kaiser, PhD, for making the discipline interesting and showing the breadth of possibilities that the field affords.

“The professors are so human and amazing and easy to talk to,” says Peralta Acosta, who is the 2025 recipient of the John Ju Excellence in Science Award. “My favorite professor is Dr. Brett Kaiser, who was my first biology professor. He made me realize how much my passion is for molecular biology.”

Important to immersing herself in the College of Science and Engineering was research, something she participated in during her first year with the support of Dr. Kaiser. And it has continued over the past three years with the focus of the research on BREX, a bacterial defense system that protects bacteria from viral infections. Conducting research in a lab not only mimics a real-world, hands-on setting but also opened doors for Peralta Acosta from speaking at national conferences to a widening range of graduate schools.

While soccer and her major have consumed the bulk of her time over the past four years, Peralta Acosta has carved out space to give back, serving as a tutor the past two years and sharing her passion for science with younger students, imparting on them how “life changing” science can be—something she can attest to firsthand. 

“I really enjoy tutoring and mentoring underclassmen and sharing my experiences. And one of my favorite things about my job is getting to know people.” 

Educating the whole person—the foundation of SU’s Jesuit mission—is meaningful to Peralta Acosta as she believes the university truly walks the talk. “I feel it’s very present, from the courses to the professors to the Core Curriculum. It’s also about social justice—and recognizing injustice—in the world around us.”

As she nears the completion of her time at SU, Peralta Acosta reflects on the past four years and what—besides her degree—she will take with her from her time here.

“I’m so thankful and grateful for the whole SU community. Everyone here is very supportive and they help you embrace who you are and who you want to be. And my professors have been amazing mentors and little by little helped me find my way.”

And what would she tell incoming students? “In terms of academics, I’d say your first year is very important. One of the biggest struggles from high school to college is how independent you now are so make sure you have your priorities set,” she says. “In terms of … more life advice, I’d tell them to be open, to expect anything. I came here without a plan, except for soccer. Be flexible. Try a class that you might not think you are interested in.”

While her immediate focus post-commencement is grad school, looking ahead when she contemplates a dream job she’s employing that same flexibility and open-mindedness that she encourages in those coming behind her. Though her main options as of now are to stay in biotech and either going the corporate route or working in academia—the latter perhaps providing more of a directional pull.

“Heart of my heart I’d like to stay in academia, being a university professor or doing academic research,” she says. “My professors are superheroes!”

Some of Julieta’s favorites…

• Favorite spot on campus: The fourth floor of the Sinegal Center and the little green park in front of the Quad.
• Favorite spot in Seattle: The parks—Gas Works and Volunteer Park—and the Washington Arboretum. I enjoy being outside.
• Favorite food/restaurant: Momiji for sushi or, if on a budget, Peloton.
• Favorite music/band/artist: Bad Bunny
• Favorite book/author: I really like Breaking Through: My Life in Science by Katalin Karikó.
• Favorite TV show last binged: I have been binging The Last of Us and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.