What is your role with Sanford Research?

I joined the PROMISE team in 2016. I am currently a Senior Research Education Specialist with the Sanford PROMISE at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, SD.

Tell us about yourself.

In 2007, I attained my Bachelor of Science in biology from SDSU along with my teaching certification in the state of South Dakota. I started a career as a high school science teacher.  I spent 5 years exploring what I wanted to do with my life and landed on learning more about genetics.

Efforts to learn more about genetics led me to start classes at SDSU working toward a Master of Science in biology. This degree path lead me to study the evolutionary pathway that resistance genes followed to be present in the modern soybean (Glycine max). The projects involved in my research kept most of my time guarded for study of genetics, but I was able to spend some time with teachers through outreach programs.

At the end of my graduate program, I applied at Sanford Research and landed a technician position in the Roux lab, which studies the inner nuclear membrane proteins.  This position helped me to understand the processes used in the modern molecular study of genetic diseases. 

While in the lab, we used techniques like western blotting to learn about proteins and molecular cloning to get the right type (sequence) and amount of DNA to complete experiments. 

What helped you get back into teaching?

I found myself again with an opportunity to work with K-12 students though the PROMISE program, which asks scientists to provide outreach education to students. The students would come to the Sanford Research building in small groups for field trips, or they would come in large groups for special science activities.  After volunteering for several years, I joined the PROMISE team as an educator in 2016.