Medical Research Librarian
Julia Parker is the Medical Research Librarian for GreyZone. She loves discovering and connecting people with critical information, especially when it is pertinent to a patient’s current medical challenges. Julia enjoys supporting patients through the process of informed decision-making.
Julia is fascinated with the process of searching and retrieving medical literature, and she enjoys supporting initiatives that improve public health. She is encouraged by improving access to medical literature and knowledge, and is part of an ongoing effort by medical librarians and legislators to connect patients with medical research and clinical trial results.
In 2013, Julia helped to launch a blog and book manuscript written for patients with continence issues, particularly neurogenic and underactive bladder. During the research and writing process, Julia enjoyed raising awareness about a health issue that is rarely discussed in public. The project was her first experience with health advocacy and an opportunity to encourage and inspire readers to live life to the fullest. Upon publication of the book, Julia was invited to the International Congress for Underactive Bladder (CURE-UAB) as a co-author. This project was a step towards Julia’s current work at GreyZone, where she supports patients with a wide spectrum of health issues.
Julia moved into the research library setting after conducting infectious disease and cancer-biology research in the laboratory. Her laboratory background provides her with the necessary insight to tease out and summarize medical research details at every phase of clinical development.
Julia is active in several professional associations, serving as the Membership Secretary of the Washington Medical Librarians Association (WMLA), Chair of the Consulting Section of the Leadership and Management division of Special Libraries Association (SLA), and Chair of the Industry Relations committee of the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP). She is also on the board of her local library Friends’ group, KCLS FoR-Libraries.
Julia holds a Library of Science degree (MLIS) and a Masters of Science in Pathobiology (MS) degree from the University of Washington. She also obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Microbiology from Purdue University.
Julia enjoys living in the beautiful Pacific NW and, in her spare time, reading, baking, listening to acoustic music, traveling with family, and spoiling her two cats.