Professional Background

Upon receiving my bachelor of science degree in Biochemistry from Indiana University, I was hired as the process control/environmental control technician for an industrial manufacturing facility.  My responsibilities included laboratory testing of  plant raw materials, selected finished product analysis and environmental testing. In addition, I assisted the manufacturing personnel with the selection of process control parameters to facilitate production of a quality in-spec product.  In 1989, I was promoted into a position responsible for implementing the environmental/safety programs.  I was in charge of writing and administering the plant's  "Right To Know" program as well as training the plant personnel on proper chemical handling and storage techniques.  I was then promoted into a managerial position serving as the production superintendent for the same company.   In this position, I was involved in all aspects of plant production, quality and process control, and plant engineering.  These challenging positions helped me develop my skills in communication and teamwork, as well as exposing me to environmental programs and industrial laboratory techniques.  The experience I obtained from these positions has been invaluable to me throughout my professional and academic career.  In 1997, I chose to return to graduate school full-time entering the doctoral program in the department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology at the University of Louisville.