Though I consider myself a citizen of the world, due to my passion for traveling and experiencing the numerous wonders our planet has to offer, St. George has always been home. Growing up in Southern Utah, I enjoyed the region’s beauty and took advantage of the great weather by participating in many outdoor activities. After high school, I stayed local and earned my bachelor’s degree at Utah Tech University in biology and then completed my master’s degree in biology from Mississippi State University, Hail State, where I focused more on microbiology, viruses, and specifically HIV.
I started part-time teaching at Utah Tech in 2011 and, in 2013, spent eight years as the academic advisor for the biological science department. Working with biology majors was a great experience, helping them navigate their academics and finding extra-curricular opportunities to increase their knowledge and skillset to compete for graduate & professional medicine programs and careers within the biological sciences. I started seeking community partners within the medical and biotech industry to provide these extra-curricular activities for our students.
As the St. George region biotech industry continued to grow, I helped develop a new biotechnology program to support our partners’ needs and provide additional lab skill development and career opportunities for our students. In 2021 I transitioned to a biology faculty member and coordinator for the UT Biotechnology Program.