A Curiosity Becomes a Career: Julia Butchkoski

Da Vinci Science Center’s mission is simple: spark curiosity and inspire a lifelong passion for science. For Julia Butchkoski, that spark became a career.

Today, Julia works in the Manufacturing, Sciences, Analytical, and Technology (MSAT) Department at Sanofi, a leading global pharmaceutical company dedicated to “chasing the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.” Sanofi employs thousands of professionals in STEAM fields, and Julia is one of them.

But her story began long before her role at Sanofi. It began here.

A First Visit That Changed Everything

In July 2007, Julia visited Da Vinci Science Center for the first time. Like so many young visitors, she was captivated by the animatronic dinosaur, by the simulated weather forecaster set complete with raincoats, and especially by the healthcare lab. Wearing a lab coat and stethoscope, she took care of a medical mannequin and imagined herself as a doctor.

“My mom told me she could not pull me away from that exhibit,” Julia remembers.

That moment mattered. It planted a question that would grow into a calling.

A Curiosity Becomes a Career

Julia’s early spark led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology at East Stroudsburg University, followed by an internship at Sanofi and ultimately a full-time position. She discovered a pathway where science, purpose, and impact meet: pharmaceutical validation, a field that directly supports Sanofi’s mission to improve global health.

“Helping others has been my goal since my first visit to the Da Vinci Science Center,” she says. “Now I get to live that mission every day.”

Full Circle, Inspiring the Next Generation

This year, Julia attended the Women in Science and Engineering Forum for the first time, joining other leaders, innovators, and students exploring STEAM pathways. She is also part of building a supportive culture within Sanofi’s WISE, Women and Allies Inspiring Sanofi Excellence, team.

“I am excited to see everyone ignite their curiosity and explore the Da Vinci Science Center as I did years ago,” Julia shares. “I look forward to your contributions to STEAM in the years to come.”

Her journey is a powerful reminder of why spaces like Da Vinci matter. One moment, one exhibit, and one hands-on experience can set a young person on a path that changes lives, including their own.