Adult Panel Discussion

Emily Asenath-Smith did not continue directly to an undergraduate program after high school, but rather used her skills as a potter to start her own business while taking classes at a local community college. Some years later, as a mother, a wife and a homeowner, Emily matriculated into the Frances Perkins program at Mount Holyoke College to pursue a traditional B.A. in Chemistry as a non-traditional student. She has since completed her master's degree in Ceramic Engineering at Alfred University and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University.

Judith Merritt became interested in bacteria while working in a lab at the University of Rochester, but an internship at Bristol Myers-Squibb was what convinced her to become a scientist. She completed a degree in teaching prior to her graduate work at Dartmouth where she studied P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. Currently, Judith is the Senior Scientist at Glycobia Inc. where she engineers bacteria to express therapeutic proteins. In her spare time, Judith enjoys throwing pottery and gardening.

Barbara Knuth is Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at Cornell University. She oversees nearly 100 graduate fields and 18 graduate and professional degrees on Cornell's Ithaca campus. As Vice Provost, she also oversees undergraduate admissions and financial aid at Cornell. She is a Professor of Natural Resource Policy. She holds a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. Her research focuses on the human dimensions of fisheries and wildlife management and policy. Dr. Knuth has always had a love of the outdoors, including hiking, backpacking, and kayaking, and is an avid gardener. She also enjoys baking and spending time with her family.

Melody Bomgardner is a senior business editor for Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society. She writes about the business and science of "cleantech," which includes solar cells, biofuels, and battery technologies for electric cars. She also covers topics related to food and agriculture. Melody received her bachelor's degree in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia, with a minor in English. She later received her M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University. Her favorite vacations include hiking in the rain forest—she has hiked in Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, New Zealand, and Washington State.