I joined Elizabeth City State University in Fall 2003. Prior to this, I was a postdoctoral research scientist at BASF Plant Science in the high plant oils group and also in the Plant Pathology Department at NC State University in a laboratory investigating the genetics, physiology and environmental conditions surrounding nematodes. I served as the Chair of the Department of Biology (now Natural Sciences) from 2008 - 2012 and continue to be active in our graduate program, undergraduate research activities, development of an alternative energy program and outreach activities.

My laboratory is focused on investigating the ability of microphotosynthetic cells (algae) to remove aquatic pollutants from the environment and, conversely, how aquatic pollutants, like heavy metals, affect the growth and cellular physiology of these often overlooked organisms. This work is notable, not only from an environmental standpoint, but many of these organisms are capable of producing commercially important products, like antimicrobial compounds, therapeutics, product stabilizers and novel enzymes