Responsible for scientific research and clinical identification and characterization of pathogenic microorganisms for the US Army healthcare team. (See additional details for specific positions below).

Served as the USCENTCOM Theater Microbiologist and USARCENT Public Health Emergency Officer.

Microbiologist with the 7459th Medical Back-fill Battalion (MBB), Ft. Gordon, GA.

Provided excellent clinical support services to diverse medical teams within the largest military hospital in Iraq.General duties included the planning, validation, and 24-hour supervision of microbiological, serological, and blood banking operations; the maintenance of constant communication channels between the laboratory and key groups inside and outside of the hospital; mentored and led military personnel (junior and senior enlisted) in a combat environment. Lasting impacts included delivery of excellent clinical support in an austere and often intimidating environment; investigation and reduction in number of Clostridium difficile cases present within the hospital; and the complete restoration of essential capabilities within 24 hours of an insurgent rocket attack that destroyed the laboratory facility.

Managed a variety of projects funded by the Department of the Army and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency to understand the molecular pathogenesis of Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis. Duties included the planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of basic and applied research projects; the interpretation, documentation, and communication of research results; the supervision and training of junior staff members; administrative responsibility for safety, security, and regulatory compliance within a large, multidivisional molecular biology laboratory with over 200 active members; service as the founding president of the USAMRIID Young Investigators’ Group (a professional development organization for postdocs and other junior scientists); service on Standard Operating Procedure Risk Assessment Group, the Laboratory Suite Supervisors Working Group, and as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (CTOR) assigned to Phase I and Phase II Small Business Innovative Re-search (SBIR) contracts for the Army Research Office (ARO). Lasting impacts include the development of a novel, best-in-class invertebrate model of tularemia and melioidosis; a provisional patent application for a novel forward genetic screen for use in genetically intractable organ-isms; a large reduction (84%) in laboratory audit findings and a perfect record during external safety and compliance inspections; managed external Phase I and Phase II SBIR program for development of a field-deployable device for multiplexed detection of wound pathogens; founded the USAMRIID Young Investigators’ Group; mentored college and high school students through a variety of programs; two peer reviewed journal articles and one book chapter.

Operated, performed operator maintenance and supervised the use of NBC detection and decontamination equipment for platoon- to corps-sized elements.

Led team efforts to modernize the admission and preliminary exam processes within the Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences. Developed leadership curricula for the Department of Public Health practicum and managed the program. Directed research funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Supervised 2 technicians. Advised 5 PhD students, 3 MS students, and 5 undergraduates that went on to post-graduate studies. Taught introductory and advanced microbiology and public health classes. Led first successful crowdfunding campaign at NDSU; lobbied North Dakota Legislature for undergraduate research funding and wrote two editorials published in local newspaper; launched first college of agriculture project funded by NASA; mentored college’s first Astronaut Scholarship winner and college’s first Barry Goldwater Scholarship winner; four peer reviewed journal articles.

Designed and managed a dynamic research program to address knowledge gaps within the Biological Threat Risk Assessment for BSL-3 select agent bacteria (Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis, Burkholderia pseudomallei/mallei, and Yersinia pestis). General duties included liaising with government contracting officers to set research priorities; the planning, conduct, monitoring, evaluation, and validation of ISO-accredited forensic testing processes (ISO 9001 and ISO 17025); the management and conduct of basic and applied research projects in a matrix environment; the interpretation, documentation, and communication of research results; the supervision and training of junior staff members; and service on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and Global Improvements Working Group. Lasting impacts included the successful launching of BSL-3 bacteriology operations in a newly constructed facility; contribution to the first ISO-accredited BSL-3 forensic algorithms for identification of select agent bacteria and viruses using next-generation sequencing methodologies; and improved accuracy/reduced uncertainty within the National Biological Threat Risk Assessment; one peer reviewed journal article.