About Me

I earned my B.S. in Microbiology from North Dakota State University in 2000.  As an undergraduate, I first discovered my love for research while working in the lab Dr. Lisa Nolan.  I continued to work with Dr. Nolan at North Dakota State, and then at Iowa State University until I earned my Ph.D. in Molecular Pathogenesis in 2006.  During my Ph.D., I worked on developing vaccine and diagnostic strategies for Avian Pathogenic E. coli.   I also developed my love of teaching during this time as a Teaching Assistant while in graduate school.  

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After earning my Ph.D., I moved to Marshfield, Wisconsin for a Post-Doc in the National Farm Medicine Center at the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation.  Under the mentorship of Dr. Steve Foley, I studied plasmid mediated antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors of foodborne pathogens, primarily Salmonella enterica.

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In 2008, I joined the Department of Biological Sciences at Sam Houston State University as an Assistant Professor where I continued to study antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella, but also branched out into other areas of research.  SHSU has offered me many unique opportunities for research and collaboration that have resulted in numerous research grants, publications, and awards. 

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Currently, I am Professor and Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at SHSU.  Please see below for a link to my full C.V.