For the past decade, I worked as an Advanced EMT in a facility on Salt Lake City’s West Side. Most of my medical career was spent as a Medical Operations Supervisor, during which time I was able to gain a wide variety of valuable experience. One of my career highlights was serving as a site coordinator for a formal research study, which prompted me to investigate careers in academic research rather than patient care. A few years ago, I returned to school to pursue a degree in biophysics. I hope to one day study the impacts of various substances in our environment on the health of living organisms, with the aim of helping to guide informed environmental policy decisions and regulations. Last year I completed the Biotechnology Program at Salt Lake Community College, and within the next few years will have graduate degrees in biophysics and philosophy of science completed. To gain experience as I have transitioned my career, I have spent the past couple of years volunteering with a variety of organizations, interning with HEAL Utah during the legislative session, and working part-time with Grow the Flow to help students become well-rounded and non-partisan advocates for the Great Salt Lake.
Here at the Commission, I work as an Administrative, Grant & Research Specialist. In this role, I support and coordinate record-keeping and transparency related tasks, such as public notices, meeting recordings, and minutes, as well as provide clerical and administrative support for the Commission’s finances, procurement and purchasing. Additionally, I provide administrative support, coordination and record-keeping for federal and state grants, and help to develop and coordinate research projects and research partnerships for the Jordan River and its watershed. Finally, I support and collaborate with other Commission staff and serve as the safety and training officer.
In my personal life, I love to spend time hiking (especially to Lake Blanche), camping, playing the alto saxophone, traveling, and watching documentaries. I also get a kick out of reading published research studies for fun, and have recently acquired a hobby of making decorative art with dried flowers. I love geeking out about cool science facts and getting other people excited about the amazing biophysical and biochemical processes occurring in every cell of every living thing, every second of every day. I am ecstatic to work for the Commission in this capacity, gain experience with grant writing, and assist with research projects that will improve environmental health and recreational enjoyment for people, plants, and animals across the Jordan River Watershed.
