Director of Research and Productivity

• Nov 2018 - Present

Laboratory Manager, James Carrington Lab

• Sep 2013 - Nov 2018

• General day-to-day operation of the lab, including oversight of equipment, supplies, regulatory requirements, maintenance schedules, sending material requests, and management of laboratory website and electronic data. • Assist with ongoing research in laboratory, including participation in experimental design, interpretation, assessment, and publications. • Hire, train, manage, and evaluate undergraduate student workers. • Maintain a safe laboratory environment. Ensure that lab personnel are compliant to industry standards and safety regulations. • Coordinate complex, competitive grant and contract proposals to federal agencies, private foundations, and other funding sources. • Prepares proposals with the Principal Investigator, including gathering and analyzing contributions from diverse participants; original writing; submitting to agencies; tracking and reporting.

Foreign Service Officer - Agriculture Specialist

• Nov 2010 - Aug 2013

Served as an agricultural officer in the Office of Economic Growth. Responsible for working with the Georgian government to identify opportunities to strengthen the Georgian agriculture sector in coordination with other US government programs, as well as other donors' priorities within the country. Led a multi-disciplinary team in the $26.5 million design and procurement of the Improving Competitiveness and Employment Generation in Georgia Project, which included activities aimed at capacity building within the Government of Georgia, improving functionality of agricultural value chains, and improving agricultural education.

Manager of Research and Business Development

• Sep 2008 - Sep 2010

• Planned and organized meetings for a team of growers to discuss research issues • Developed presentations, talking points, and congressional testimony for growers • Interacted with public and private research institutions to identify potential collaborations • Solicited and managed research programs and grants • Planned & developed content for international conference on corn utilization & technology • Served as the staff resource for information regarding research issues related to corn

Research Associate, Ed Cahoon Lab

• Aug 2007 - Aug 2008

• Created & analyzed transgenic cassava lines producing increased levels of vitamins A & E • Developed molecular constructs to alter fatty acid composition of Arabidopsis • Visiting speaker at local elementary schools to supplement plant biology curriculum • Assisted International Programs office with economic assessment for grant proposals • Provided tours of the center for adult & student groups • Created & analyzed transgenic cassava lines producing increased levels of vitamins A & E • Developed molecular constructs to alter fatty acid composition of Arabidopsis • Visiting speaker at local elementary schools to supplement plant biology curriculum • Assisted International Programs office with economic assessment for grant proposals • Provided tours of the center for adult & student groups