How CELA and CLEAR Empower Biochemistry Research

The Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA) fosters a community where students connect academic learning with real-world application. For Julia Ludwig ’27, that community has helped her build meaningful experiences beyond the classroom, form lasting friendships, and give back whenever possible.

In her first year at Oberlin, Ludwig joined a research lab for her winter term project. “What was meant to be a short-term project became the longest and most transformative research experience of my undergraduate career,” she says. “I was trusted to shape questions, interpret unexpected results, and follow curiosity where it led.”

Conducting research at Oberlin gave Ludwig the foundation and confidence to seek out opportunities at other institutions. During a summer research experience at Ohio State University, she quickly learned that not all laboratories share the same values and sense of community she had experienced at Oberlin. Even so, she felt empowered to help cultivate a more collaborative dynamic among her new peers. “Having come from an environment where friendship and teamwork meant the same thing, I was able to adapt well and connect with others, motivating graduate students and lab leaders to celebrate their successes outside of the lab,” she says.

Through leadership roles within CELA, Ludwig has given back to the community that shaped her values. The Center for Learning, Education, and Research in the Sciences (CLEAR) creates an inclusive and welcoming environment for students interested in STEM fields. As a CLEAR mentor, Ludwig supported fellow students in STEM courses. Later, as a CLEAR coordinator, she oversaw new cohorts of mentors and helped them grow into their roles. “Over time, I discovered that my greatest strength was not only achieving goals but also empowering people to uplift themselves and find solutions.”

Ludwig is grateful for how CELA has strengthened both her academic confidence and her sense of purpose. “I found something transformative in Oberlin’s academic rigor and culture of cooperation.”

After Oberlin, where Ludwig is double majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience, she plans to pursue an MD-PhD, with the goal of bridging clinical insight with biochemical and neurobiological research.

Ludwig is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.