She was formerly the head of public programs at the University of Alaska Museum of the North, where she directed the development of exhibits and educational programs. Laura earned her PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology in 2007 from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree in science writing from the University of Washington in 2001, a master’s degree in plant pathology from Montana State University in 1998, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She now conducts research in the learning sciences. Laura enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking and reading Harry Potter books in her free time.