I love to travel the world and experience different cultures. Below are pictures of the places I have studied abroad and traveled to.
Enjoy!
2023
We partnered with BioGals and key stakeholders collecting water samples across various watersheds for laboratory analysis for detecting and quantifying glyphosate.
2022
We traveled to Panama City, Panama for our babymoon!
2021
Not much traveling took place this year due to the ongoing pandemic. However, BioGals did debut a documentary– The Making of BioGals: Past, Present, and Future!
2020
2020 will go down in history for sure. Like many, I didn’t do much traveling. However, for Christmas, my husband and I drove from Kentucky to California to visit family.
2019
Belize
This year I travelled to Belize with Barbara Astmann collecting water and soil samples to monitor and test water quality in New River and Belize River. We partnered with the Department of Environment, Belize, Ministry of Health and University of Belize.
2018
Sittee River, Belize
Refined biodigester and created a garden fertilized by the biosolids.
Dominica
This country is beautiful. I spent two weeks here learning about the country and interacting with community members seeking to rebuild from Hurricane Maria sustainably. 
2017
Sittee River, Belize
This year the community members and the research team built an anaerobic digester. The anaerobic digestion project encompasses all three pillars of sustainability: economy, society and environment. The community members have been most excited about the economic aspects the project provides. Not only can the excess biogas be sold throughout the village, but the sludge remaining in the bottom of the digester can also be sold as fertilizer.
Nairobi & Mombasa Beach, Kenya
My husband and I worked really hard this year; he became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army and I graduated with my PhD so we celebrated in Kenya!
2016
Venice, Italy
The 6th International Symposium on Energy from Biomass and Waste was here. I presented my research enhanced anaerobic digestion of food waste and bioplastic. This work resulted in a conference proceeding and a journal publication.
Dhangadhi, Pokhara & Kathmandu, Nepal
My husband and I went to a colleague’s traditional wedding in Nepal. Breathtaking experience.
Sittee River, Belize
This is my third time visiting Sittee River Village. I can honestly say I feel like one of their family members. I went with a team of women engineers and we conducted a waste audit, census and taught the engineering design process to students during a summer camp.
2015
Sittee River, Belize
I returned to Sittee River, Belize to conduct some of my research (waste-to-energy) within the community. While there, I conducted over 20 interviews to better understand the community’s energy needs and met with Council members. I also spent a lot of time with the Principal and teachers of a small primary school discussing the communities traditional disposal methods of garbage and touring neighboring towns waste management infrastructures.
Delft and Wageningen, Netherlands
As a NSF-IGERT-SUN student, I took a Microalage Process Design course at Wageningen University. The course is aimed at PhD students, postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers, as well as professionals, that would like to acquire a thorough understanding of microalgal metabolism and photobioreactor design. I also had an opportunity to tour lab facilities at TU-Delt and learn more about solar technology and its applications.
2014
Singapore, Singapore
Summer 2014, I facilitated a leadership program (5th Row Leadership Program) led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The program consist of twenty MIT students and fifty Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) students. Together the students learned how to build and maintain student organizations, developed their leadership skill, and learned how to effectively communicate between cultures.
On my free time, I have attended shows, tried signature Singaporean dishes, and explored the city and country-side.
2013
Trincity, Trinidad & Tobago
In summer 2013, I introduced energy, bioenergy, and anaerobic digestion concepts through STEAM Machines™ Camp at Bishop Antsey High School East & Trinity College East.
When Dr. Dalrymple and I were not working, we relaxed at the beach and enjoyed steel pan bands.
Barcelona, Spain
This trip was a strictly vacation trip full of adventure, fun, relaxation, and plenty of eating.
2012
Sittee River, Belize
In summer 2012, I went on a study abroad trip for the class Tropical Ecology, taught by Dr. Patrick Kangas at the University of Maryland. In this class we learned about the environment, ecology, and economics of Belize by exploring marine life, interacting with Sittee River Methodist Primary School, and traveling all around Belize.
2010
Toronto, Canada
This was the first country I visited outside of the U.S. In spring 2010 I attended the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Annual conference with the University of Maryland Black Engineers Society (BES) chapter. This conference allows STEM majors and professionals from all walks of life to gather together to attend career fairs, exchange technical research, gain internship/full time job opportunities, and gain information from many workshops.
