Karen Smith
Chemistry Stockroom Manager and Laboratory Coordinator

I grew up in Modesto, California and attended college at the University of California at Davis. I received my BS in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry from Portland State University while working as a laboratory technican at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. After receiving my degree, I continued to work as a lab technician, but also began teaching general chemistry and general physics labs. I joined Whitman in 2002 as the Chemistry Stockroom Manager and Laboratory Coordinator.

Away from campus my interests include my husband, my son born in 2001, gardening, camping, hiking, and playing the saxophone.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

University of California, Davis (September 1993-August 1995)

Clark College (September 1996- June 1998) AA June 1998

Portland State University (June 1998-August 2000) BS, Chemistry and Biochemistry (August 2000), GPA 3.71 in major

Work Experience

August 2002 - present Chemistry Stockroom Manager/ Laboratory Coordinator / Chemical Hygiene Officer Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA. Using analytical chemical techniques, prepare reagents for all levels of chemistry laboratories and dispose of all hazardous waste according to federal regulations. I have acted as a lab assistant for the organic chemistry lab during Fall 2003, and I typically supervise 10-12 students assistants per semester. Responsible for all ordering, inventory, and monitoring of budget.

Spring Semester 2008 Taught one semester organic laboratory at Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA in addition to stockroom duties. Lab met two days per week.

October 2007 Reviewed 8th edition of Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry by Ira Blei for WH Freeman Co.

September 2005 - March 2006 Adjunct instructor at Walla Walla Community College teaching Chemistry 101 - 5 hours lecture, 2 hour lab per week.

August 2004 - December 2004 Taught a freshman general chemistry lab.

October 2004 - Designed twelve exhibits for the Children's Museum of Walla Walla for the Science Sector. Also wrote curriculum for four different science classes to be offered to children ranging in age from 4 - 12 years.

September 2000 - June 2002 Adjunct Instructor in general chemistry and general physics laboratories at Clark College. Lab was an "open" format where students from all levels came at any time to complete experiments. Responsible for student safety, comprehension, and completion of lab. Grading of labs for 150+ students.

March 1996 - August 2002 Laboratory Technician, Clark College Vancouver, Wa
Using analytical chemical techniques, I prepared reagents for all levels of chemistry laboratories and dispose of all hazardous waste according to federal regulations. Prepared media and bacterial cultures for biology and microbiology as needed. I supervised up to 5 students per quarter. Responsible for ordering and inventory.

January 1995 - August 1995 Laboratory Technician, UC Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Responsible for collecting samples, running tests such as TDS/TSS, BOD, volatile organics, turbidity, chlorine residual and total coliform.

Awards

$8,500 grant from Campus Sustainability: funded the purchase of a solvent recycling still, January 2010.

Best Senior Analytical Chemist from PSU and American Chemical Society, June 2000

Community Service

June 2004 - January 2007: Served on the board of the Children’s Museum of Walla Walla

March 2005 - March 2006: Developed twelve science workshops for the Children’s Museum including writing curriculum and purchasing supplies. These workshops are now property of the museum and curriculum is written so that a person without a science background can teach them. They target ages 4-12,

May 2005 - 2010: Ran chemistry workshops for the Gear Up program which encourages first generation students to attend college.

March 2005 - March 2009: Ran chemistry workshops for Expanding Your Horizons through the American Association of University Women which encourages 6-8th grade girls to attend college in non-traditional majors.

Professional Associations and Certifications

Member of National Association of Scientific Materials Managers, certified scientific materials manager in 2009.

Member of the American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Health and Safety since 2010.

Current DOT certification for shipping hazardous materials.

Current 8-hr. HAZWOPER refresher card.