Staff Spotlight is an initiative sponsored by the College of Pharmacy Staff Council to celebrate the incredibly talented staff within the college and to facilitate awareness and understanding of the unique individuals who make up the pharmacy family. Staff members in a variety of roles and departments will be featured on a rotating basis.

Tell us about your role at the College of Pharmacy.

I am the director of analytical laboratories within University of Iowa Pharmaceuticals (UIP). UIP is a contract manufacturer and testing laboratory for pharmaceutical drug products in clinical trials through commercial stages. I manage the laboratory which consists of 16 individuals. We are responsible for the in-process, finished product release and stability testing as well as method development and validation for the pharmaceutical drug products.

What made you choose this line of work? 

I always planned to be in the health field when I grew up. In college, I started taking my chemistry courses and found that I really enjoyed the coursework. At the end of my Bachelor of Science degree, I started working for Cambrex in Charles City and one thing lead to another. I enjoyed the work on the drug substance side and when we moved to the Iowa City area in 2003, the opportunity came where I could join UIP (which was Pharmaceutical Services at the time). This provided the opportunity to learn the finished dosage form of the pharmaceutical industry. 

What are your 5 favorite things?

1. My family.
2. Eating (but not cooking)! I love trying different things just don’t tell me if it is raw!
3. Crafts, I enjoy both making crafts and attending craft shows.
4. I have a small Hobie Cat sailboat. Sailing is very relaxing.
5. Travelling with my family. I don’t necessarily love the time in the car, but exploring and visiting new places.

What’s your favorite winter activity?

My husband coaches basketball and two of my three kids play so I spend a lot of time on gym bleachers or shuffling kids to and from practice when not at work. I did try skiing in Colorado two years ago and that was amazing!

If money was no object, what would you do all day?

Truthfully, I would love to volunteer for organizations such as The Hope Lodge in Iowa City, the Ronald McDonald House, UI Children’s Hospital, and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. I have been extremely blessed in my life and would like to pay that forward.

Please tell us about this photo.

This is me and my children – Zoe (16), Kayden (12), and Tate (7). They keep us very busy and I love every minute of it!