As senior research associate at the institutes, Julie Groce works on research and conservation efforts for several state- and federally threatened or endangered species, including the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo and freshwater mussels. She participates in proposal preparation, project design and implementation, and final reporting for projects related to endangered species management in Texas. In addition, she provides scientific input to the Task Force on Economic Development and Endangered Species, which is led by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Before joining the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources in September 2008, Groce was a graduate student at Texas A&M University’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. Prior to her graduate work, Julie spent several years involved in various wildlife research projects throughout the country, with a primary focus in avian ecology. 

Groce received a bachelor of arts in zoology in 2001 from Connecticut College and a master of science in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M in 2008.