She received her B.S. degree in Biochemistry from Trinity University (1989) and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University of Notre Dame (1996). After completing a postdoctoral appointment at Texas A&M University, she joined the faculty at Texas State in 1997. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanism of enzymes involved in the bacterial desulfurization of fossil fuels. She is actively involved in promoting early involvement of students in undergraduate research, and using undergraduate research as a tool for the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students in the chemical sciences. Over the last thirteen years at Texas State, she has mentored over 80 students. She is an active member of the American Chemical Society and has served in leadership roles in American Chemical Society local sections, divisions, and national committees.