Julia Ellermeier was born and raised in Seattle where she still lives.

After attending Ballard High School, Julia moved to the East Coast where she earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT in June 2014. While at school, she participated in various groups including Alpha Phi Fraternity, MIT EMS and WMBR Radio.

Julia is passionate about design and manufacturing. She spends much of her time looking at objects trying to think of ways to make them more user friendly. She has worked as a manufacturing engineer, supply chain consultant and service jobs from boat deckhand to wedding bartender. Ask her about working the bar at a metal music festival or serving appetizers at an aquarium.

After gaining a strong passion for travel from her parents, Julia tries to find any excuse to go abroad and was able to participate in programs in college that sent her to Madrid and Tel Aviv. She has also visited other parts of Europe and areas of South America with her family. Most recently, Julia applied for a work visa and lived in Melbourne, Australia for a year. She will always take you up on any excuse to roadtrip -- having accomplished cross country trips twice already.

In her free time, Julia enjoys spending time with friends in nature and going to live shows but this year can usually be found reading and dyeing her hair different colors. She also enjoys sewing, drawing and photography.