“Tell us your story- how did your path lead you to Nanion Technologies?”

In my first year at Hampden-Sydney College my mind was opened to the amazing world of biological science and I have worked in research ever since. After college I worked as a research technician for many years before pushing myself to go back to school for my PhD 10 years later. I started my PhD training in microbial ecology and participated in ecology research in Antarctica (Palmer-LTER, 2008) working with the microbiology team in a 6-week research cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula. During PhD training I also did a long rotation in a pharmacogenetics lab where I became familiar with clinical trials and even initiated a study of my own in which included drafting a research proposal (that was approved by the university committee), consent forms for participants, and flyers to advertise the study. These experiences broadened my scientific background. My journey ultimately led to a lab in the Physiology and Biophysics Department at VCU where I developed an unending fascination with ion channels through my PhD advisor and many others in the department there. My thesis research focused on gating mechanisms of the voltage-gated, H+ selective ion channel, Hv1. I did a postdoc at Indiana University in pain research, studying voltage-gated ion channels and excitability in sensory neurons. Prior to coming to Nanion, I worked as an ORISE research fellow at the FDA, performing studies of cardiac ion channel pharmacology in support of the CiPA initiative. I applied for a position with Nanion USA team because I felt it was great match for expertise I had gained in recent years and a wonderful opportunity to improve my abilities in the technical aspects of ion channel pharmacology assays. Working at Nanion has been an excellent opportunity to learn new skills in the field of ion channel pharmacology.

“Knowing what you know now, what 3 pieces of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?”

1. Do what you love, have fun with it and don’t limit yourself.
2. This too shall pass, good or bad. Stay humble, dealing with failures enables you with the strength to better understand yourself and improve.
3. We are all here to learn. Even baby steps in the right direction will help get you to where you want to be.

“One Last Question- what’s the coolest thing about your job?”

Because I have a strong interest in ion channels and their physiological roles, working for Nanion as Field Application Scientist has been exciting and always interesting. Ion channel recording presents multiple challenges. There is a rich experience in problem solving with clients, with colleagues in the lab or abroad and on my own, to develop or refine experimental approaches for studies.