She received her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with emphasis in physics and science education from Kansas State University. Larkin has published widely on topics related to the assessment of student learning in introductory physics and engineering courses. She has been an active member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) for 25 years. Larkin served on the board of directors for ASEE from 1997 to 1999 as chair of Professional Interest Council (PIC) III and as vice president of PICs. Larkin has received numerous national and international awards, including the ASEE Distinguished Educator and Service Award from the Physics and Engineering Physics Division in 1998. In 2000–2001 she served as a National Science Foundation ASEE visiting scholar.