Julia Mackessy
Julia Mackessy is a PhD candidate in the anthropology department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. from UNC Chapel Hill. Before beginning her doctoral program, Julia worked as a labor doula in the Columbus, Ohio area, which sparked her interest in how perinatal experiences affect birth outcomes. Julia's current work focuses on maternal and infant health in the Appalachian region, using mixed methods to examine the influence of contextual factors on perinatal and care experiences and their implications for outcomes including maternal mental health, cortisol levels, and maternal-infant bonding.
Research Interests
- Maternal-infant health
- Appalachian health
- Perinatal experiences
- Birth outcomes