Thagard received her BS degree in chemical engineering from the University of Zagreb and her Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Florida State University. Her areas of interest lie in experimental investigations of fundamental plasma chemistry in multiphase plasma environments and applications of plasma for water treatment. Thagard is the recipient of the Tau Beta Pi Faculty Award, NSF BRIGE award, Kristin Craig Memorial Faculty Award, and Omega Chi Epsilon “Professor of the Year” award. She serves on the Editorial Board of Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing.