Julie Settlage wears many hats – she is a mother, a wife, a gardener, a runner, a goat and chicken farmer, a hiker, a teacher, and a veterinarian (and probably many other things too that she just can’t remember right now!).  Although she cannot pick a favorite hat, her children and her husband are her greatest priorities. 

When Julie is not spending time with her family, she is the Laboratory Animal Program Veterinarian for Virginia Tech.  Julie is an ACVS board certified large animal surgeon and made a major career change in the fall of 2015.  Prior to her current position, Julie had been a Clinical Assistant Professor of Large Animal Surgery at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine for almost 7 years.  She has been in her current position just over 3 years and loves teaching technical skills to researchers and their staff, helping researchers solve problems regarding their research, and promote the care and well-being of all the research and teaching animals at Virginia Tech.  Julie is one to admit that she did NOT see herself in this position 10 or 5 years ago. 

Julie’s family includes 2 incredible little boys – a fun loving, easy-going, sporty 3rd grader and a kindergartener who wants to be a vet(!) – and her husband who enjoys ‘Big Data’.  They share their wonderful views from their mountain top home with 4 goats, their livestock guardian dog, occasional chickens, 1 cat, and a mildly overwhelmed house-dog (he really wants to chase the other animals).  

Julie is thrilled to be back at the VLE.  VLE 2019 will be her 6th year returning as a facilitator.