Qualifications

Education

My education gives me strong grounding in both science and language.

University of Maryland, College Park
BS Biochemistry, cum laude, with Honors in Zoology
BA Linguistics, magna cum laude

University of California, San Diego, and the Salk Institute
MS Neurosciences
PhD Neurosciences

University of California, San Francisco
Postdoctoral Fellow
The Keck Center for Integrative Neuroscience

Certification and service to BELS

  • Certified by the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences, 2002. BELS evaluates proficiency with editing in the life sciences.
  • Member of the BELS Executive Council, serving as Chair of Nominations and Elections (2014-2018), Chair of Exam Development (2019-2022), and Director for Exam Development (2023-2024).

Teaching

This is another great way to apply my communications skills, whether I am teaching scientific content or writing. I have had several opportunities to share my knowledge, including:

  • Teaching of neurological medicine to medical students as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota, Duluth
  • Development and teaching of “Introduction to the Nervous System,” a credit workshop in the AMWA curriculum for medical writers
  • Assisting with teaching scientific writing to scientists

American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)

My active role in the American Medical Writers Association, one of the premier associations for biomedical communicators, speaks to my interest in ongoing professional development, my close ties with colleagues, and my organizational and leadership skills. As a result of my participation at the chapter and national levels, I received the 2014 President’s Award, and in 2019 I was named an AMWA Fellow.

The following is a selection of my contributions to the organization:

  • North Central Chapter Co-Secretary [webmaster] (2013-2016), Membership Chair (2016-2018), Bylaws Committee (2018-2019)
  • Member, Engage Committee (2016-2023)
  • Member, Constitution and Bylaws Committee (2015)
  • Roundtable leader, 2014 Annual Conference
  • Speaker, 2011 and 2012 Annual Conferences
  • Member, Poster Selection Committee for 2011 Annual Conference
  • Member, Science Curriculum Task Force (creating a new science curriculum for medical writers), Elections Task Force, Chapter Advisory Council Task Force
  • Delegate to the National Board of Directors, 2003-2005, 2015
  • Development and teaching of Introduction to the Nervous System, a credit workshop in the Concepts in Science and Medicine curriculum
  • Registrar and Facilities Coordinator, 2008 Pacific Coast Conference
  • Director, 2006 Pacific Coast Conference
  • Northern California Chapter President (2004-2005), President-elect (2003-2004), and Secretary/Newsletter Editor (2002-2003)