My Story
I composed this page to share with you a little part of my story. I was born in Kansas City, MO and moved to Henderson, TN for my undergraduate work at Freed-Hardeman University. I recently completed my Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. I currently live in White Bluff, TN and work as part of the adjunct faculty at Lipscomb University and Austin Peay State University.
I enjoy living in small towns like White Bluff which is near Montgomery Bell State Park and other outdoor adventures. I have always enjoyed time in and around nature, whether it is hiking in the woods, playing in the lake, or just relaxing in my back yard hammock. I also enjoy (attempts at) gardening and playing soccer.
I’m married to Matthew, a native of Nashville, TN. He is supportive in all my endeavors and serves as my personal proof-reader. We are proud parents of a wonderful rescue dog, a sweet and loving cat, and the other cat.
We enjoy traveling. I took my first overseas trip in the eighth grade, a whirlwind tour of central Europe. I love learning about a new culture, eating foreign foods and finding my way around in places with different languages. In high school I went to Costa Rica as the culmination of a college course on ecology. The course allowed us time for reflection after we studied the intricacies of the cloud forest and the rain forest. These experiences have helped me gain an appreciation for the natural world around me.
College took me to Mexico, New Zealand and Zambia on mission trips of various kinds. These were places very different than home, but in many ways people are the same everywhere. We all have the same needs and desires. I think these experiences are part what make teaching and learning so enjoyable—trying to relate to and understand better the people around you.
At Vanderbilt, Iworked for David Cliffel. I’m very grateful for the experience of being a part of his lab. I started my graduate work expecting to work primarily in analytical instrument development. Dr. Cliffel’s lab started me in pursuing a method for tuberculosis detection. As this project drew to a close, I found myself interested in beginning another project; the design of an assay to explore the effect tuberculosis has on macrophage production. This project led me to electrochemistry, a strength of my lab but a new technique for me. I have enjoyed learning from one of the top professors in this field and have seen the broad scope this analytical technique can have.
Throughout all of my work, I have found the most enjoyment in my research when I have someone to teach and guide. Research is enjoyable, but there is so much excitement when you see someone achieve success for the first time. It is this joy that I find helps me get through the tougher days and has provided me the motivation to begin my own career as a teacher.
I look forward to beginning my work as an instructor so that I can use what I have learned about education and chemistry to make an impact in the lives of my students.
I appreciate you taking the time to visit my site.
Thank you,
Leslie