How the Environment Influences the Body Plans of Organisms

My career started out as an aerobics instructor. I taught anything and everything from floor aerobics and step aerobics to aerobic boxing, yoga, and pilates. This was a natural segue into becoming a personal trainer - I was certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine to train people how to change their body composition. I also trained to become a nutrition counselor (not a dietician - dieticians have much more education). I had all kinds of tools to be able to help anyone who was interested change their bodies to be healthier and more productive - this was very rewarding! I started back to school for my undergraduate degree and realized that I needed an education to be able to do more.

While working on my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering, I was given the opportunity to work at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in the lethality and effectiveness branch. This was really some new and exciting work for me, so I jumped at the opportunity. As a co-op, I met a lot of extremely intelligent, gifted scientists and engineers and got to do some very cool work!

When I finished my undergraduate degree, I had a BS in Biomedical Engineering from VCU and a permanent job with NSWC. A few months later, I discovered another branch at NSWC that I was eager to work for - the Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defense Branch. I quickly switched positions and started my work in Bio Defense.

Upon my arrival in my new job, I knew I had a lot to learn. Biomedical Engineering had given me a little background in Biology and Chemistry, but not nearly what I needed for the detailed research I was doing. So, while working my full-time job, I also went back to school for my MS in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. In two years, I finished my degree and had a solid background in the sciences.