She is an active promoter of public scientific literacy with a special interest in enhancing understanding of the role that chemistry plays in Canadian society and the world. Originally from Winnipeg, she completed her PhD in organic chemistry at Dalhousie University and worked as a post-doctoral fellow in medicinal chemistry at the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto. She lectures in undergraduate organic chemistry, biochemistry, and enzymology at UWinnipeg. She and her team of research assistants conduct research into organic synthetic methodology, the design and synthesis of small molecule enzyme inhibitors, and the search for molecules with therapeutic biological properties.