- Associate Professor
- Director of Recruiting for Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences Program
Biography
Education
- PhD in Physiology and Wellness, Arizona State University
- MSS in Sports Medicine, United States Sports Academy
- MS in Biology, University of South Alabama
About Me
I joined WSU to play a primary role in the new Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences. We definitely need more undergrads preparing for careers in biosciences, health care, and pharma. I am glad to be a part of this program!
I got my PhD in Physiology and Wellness after a career in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in the southern United States. My research focused on response to exercise and dietary interventions among individuals struggling with their weight or obesity. I worked in a number of college settings as part-time faculty, and upon completion of my PhD, moved to the Northwest and began an academic career full time, teaching physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, pathophysiology, and the like. I developed statistics and research courses, and eventually evolved into a public health research scientist, where I was able to work on larger community health issues and deliver meaningful health information to local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and citizens.
After the pandemic, I chose to move to Oregon to work in social justice. I was responsible for a diversion program intended to help non-violent offenders with veteran status reintegrate more successfully into society and avoid re-offending. This involved assessing their needs and partnering with local veterans’ agencies, mental health providers, health care access, and whatever agencies that could provide support. In the meantime, I kept my hand in academia working at local colleges teaching, tutoring, and working with students who needed accommodations.
I returned to Washington and worked in a Testing and Assessment Center, where I helped prepare students for tests, ensure accommodations for students with learning differences, and run data analytics on student performance. Now, here at WSU, I am dedicated to creating an effective academic setting, experiential learning opportunities, and preparing students to meet the challenges of a changing health system, whether in direct patient care, research, or industry.
Why WSU?
The WSU Health Sciences mission includes creating an innovative, responsive, and integrated learning environment for all participants, with the intent of educating future health care professionals to improve the health of individuals, families and communities in the region and state. The range and diversity of opportunities to support the health of others is vast, and WSU recognizes and intends to address that open field. I made my degree work for me in a variety of settings and having that range of experiences and opportunities brought the concepts of balance, reflection, and social responsibility into focus. I look forward to helping students here gain the same outlook and realize how far their degree can take them.
My Favorite Quote
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” – Desmond Tutu