Julianne Vilela is currently pursuing her PhD in Biomedical and Life Sciences, specialising in Virology at Lancaster University, United Kingdom. Her doctoral work aims at reducing the effect of viral pathogens on poultry development by creating new and improved vaccines. Her previous research focuses on understanding the genomes of plants and animals, as well as elucidating the molecular mechanisms of virus pathogenesis between organisms. Throughout her career as a researcher, she was part of many active R&D projects funded by the Philippine government and private institutions.