She received a B.S. (Biology) from Whitworth College, a Ph.D. (Microbiology) from Montana State University and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Following graduate school, she was awarded a National Cancer Institute research fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (molecular genetics). She teaches Microbiology, Basic Science for Optometry and Human Genetics for Physician Assistants. She has been the recipient of the Thomas J. and Joyce Holce Endowed Professorship in Science and the S.S. Johnson Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching at Pacific University.