Qualifications

I have a BSc in Biotechnology from the University of Manitoba. This is a fancy degree name but is essentially a double major in microbiology and chemistry, requiring me to take a range of science courses from physical, organic and biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics, microbiology and eukaryotic biology. This broad scientific base allows me to understand and write about a wide range of technical topics. 

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I have a MSc in Microbiology and Biotechnology from the University of Alberta and nearly 15 years industry experience in environmental microbiology applied to oil sands mine reclamation. I am an expert in microbial hydrocarbon degradation, methane production, tailings reclamation, and oil sands pit lakes. During my oil sands career, I wrote documents aimed at a variety of audiences from engineers to field technicians, and I learned how to tailor each document to meet the specific audience's needs.

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More recently I have transitioned to freelance editing and writing. I completed two certificates in Editing and Plain Language from Simon Fraser University. I focus on editing technical and scientific manuscripts for university research groups, including ESL graduate students.