Affiliation(s):

• Mass Spectrometry Core, Lumigen Instrumentation Center, Wayne State University

• B.S. Chemistry, Lake Superior State University
• B.S. Forensic Chemistry, Lake Superior State University
• Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, Wayne State University

Much of my work is done collaborating on projects that are specific to environmental research including cyanotoxins, PFAS, endocrine disrupting chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, and metals analysis. While I don’t have a specific area of research due to my position, I specialize in method development using LC-MSMS and ICP-MS. This has given me the opportunity to work with many spectacular scientists and learn about many different areas of research. I work on helping these scientists answer their questions by providing them with the proper analytical methods needed for their research. Many of the scientists that I work with are not analytical chemists, but they need the quantitative answers in their research that I can help provide.

I have always been involved in environmental research. In undergrad, I worked a summer project funded by US Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes National Program Office researching the St. Mary’s river area of concern, and then the following two summers after I worked at the University of Michigan’s Biological Station as a Technician in the chemistry lab where all the projects that we worked on were environmental studies. However, in graduate school, I went a different route and studied neurochemistry, where one of my many projects was method development. This is where I found out that method development was my niche. It started with liquid chromatography using electrochemical detection, and evolved to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in my Post-doc. Furthermore, I have always enjoyed a good puzzle. This was one of the reasons I went on to get a bachelor’s degree in forensic chemistry, as I observed how forensics was essentially putting together the puzzle pieces to solve the case. I think that is what has drawn me to method development, the puzzle solving aspect. And why environmental chemistry holds a close place in my heart due to all the early years of doing environmental research and chemistry.

Environmental chemistry I believe is especially important these days. We have only one place we call home, and we haven’t been kind. Developing greener chemistry, that can use less and produce less waste is a direction that we need to move towards. Furthermore, as scientists we need to and make smarter decisions when it comes to using and producing specific products that could potentially taint the environment for years to come.

I am consistently reading the literature and there are a lot of really good papers out there that I cannot choose just one. However, one book that comes to mind is Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky. I got this book initially for my daughter so she could learn about women who made a difference in the sciences. I have found much enjoyment reading this to her.

I don’t have one specific favorite. But I have been blessed to meet and work with many women in the sciences that broke the traditional boundaries. These women saw potential in me and guided me on the path that I took to get where I am now. I am thankful for every single one of them, as I would not be here now if it wasn’t for them, and the opportunities that they gave me to reach my fullest potential.

I am definitely all about spending time with my family (my husband, two kids, and all our pets). I love being outdoors taking the dogs for a walk, hiking, riding bikes with the family, and camping. I also love a good book and find crocheting and being crafty a calming hobby as well.