She received a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry from New Mexico State University, and an M.D. from the University of New Mexico 1999. She received fellowship training at the University of Washington in Seattle in Shoulder, Elbow surgery followed by a second fellowship in Hand and Microvascular surgery. In 2012, she obtained a Master's in Clinical Research with Distinction. Her research interests include pathology of the shoulder, elbow and hand and biomechanical research addressing orthopaedic musculoskeletal problems including arthritis and osteoporosis and works closely with the engineering group in her efforts