Research Area: Life-cycle risk analysis for buried waste. I am working to develop a framework for management of buried radioactive and hazardous wastes. Waste management is complex and currently the standards for assessment and management are inconsistent and not sufficiently communicated to people who are potentially affected by them. The framework I am developing will enable consistent and transparent evaluation of the life-cycle risks and risk trade-offs associated with buried waste disposition.
 
Undergraduate degree from: Vanderbilt University  
Outside interests/activities: My former outside activities included basketball, racquetball, golf, and tennis. My extracurricular activities have been transformed dramatically by the arrival of our first child, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
 
Why Vanderbilt: I developed good relationships with the truly world-class faculty here as an undergraduate. I really didn't consider going anywhere else.
 
Likes best about School of Engineering: I really appreciate the flexibility and multidisciplinary nature of our risk and reliability (IGERT) program. In general, this is a perfect environment for a "more seasoned" student like me who worked for more than a few years before returning to school and who has obligations outside the university. I also enjoy collaborating not only with the faculty but with the students, who bring a diverse and impressive set of backgrounds and abilities to the university.