Jillianne Junio听鈥25听
B.S., Biology, Minors in Chemistry and Public Health
Hometown: Oswego, N.Y.
鈥淚 love learning how our bodies fight infections and diseases鈥攈ow cells, organs, and chemicals work together to stabilize our well-being and help us survive,鈥 says Junio.
Drawn to medicine from a young age, Junio began working at her aunt鈥檚 pediatric practice in middle school. At Hollins, minors in chemistry and public health expanded her knowledge of disease prevention. But it was Immunology and Microbiology, taught by Mary Jane Carmichael, assistant professor of biology, that clarified her path. J-term internships at Oswego Hospital Medical Laboratory and Endocrine Associates of Oswego confirmed her post-graduation plan to work in an immunology or microbiology lab while considering graduate or medical school.
This systems-level thinking shaped her leadership at Hollins. As Student Government Association President鈥攁fter serving as vice president and class president twice鈥擩unio championed traditions, student voices, and community connection. 鈥淚 always asked, 鈥楬ow can we help each other and come together as a community?鈥欌 she says.
Once a shy high schooler, Junio found her voice at Hollins鈥攆irst through the Hollins Activities Board, then as class president. She later served as an orientation leader and president of Sandusky Service House, organizing community outreach events.
A proud Filipino-American, she spent three years on the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) committee, taught traditional dances through her family鈥檚 cultural organization, and choreographed for Hollins Repertory Dance Company and the K-POP Dance club, where she served as chair.
鈥淲hen I came to Hollins, I thought I would focus on academics,鈥 she says. 鈥淏ut the community showed me what I could do and how I could help. I鈥檝e learned that I am never alone, and I can do anything I put my mind to.鈥
Favorite Class: In One Health, 鈥淧rofessors Gleim (Elizabeth Gleim, Ph.D., associate professor) and Spear (Janet W. Spear, biology chair) showed how closely the environment, animals, and humans are connected in terms of disease鈥攊t鈥檚 what led me to pursue a public health minor. Another unexpected favorite was public speaking. I didn’t think I鈥檇 enjoy it, but it definitely paid off and gave me confidence when writing speeches and giving presentations.鈥澨
Highlights
- Performance Arts Representative, Activities Board听
- Intern, Oswego Hospital Medical Laboratory听
- Biology Tutor, Hollins Biology Department听
- Shadowing Intern, Endocrine Associates of Oswego听
- Volunteer, Oswego Hospital, 2017-2021听
