Andrea Coleman has been at New Mexico State University since 2005 after earning a bachelor's degree in biology. She grew up in Alamogordo and enrolled at NMSU after meeting faculty in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry during a campus tour. She now serves as the lab manager in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences.
“I am responsible for facilitating the overall operation of the chemistry stockrooms,” Coleman said. “This includes providing help to technical staff and faculty who are involved with research and teaching. I oversee the daily operation of lab facilities and equipment used in the teaching labs.”
Coleman’s daily activities begin with prepping and setting up labs for various chemistry classes. This includes checking in with the organic stockroom manager to make sure that the organic chemistry and biochemistry classes are also prepped and set up for the week. Coleman makes sure each waste area for teaching labs is clean and the labeling is correct. The rest of her day involves helping students, teaching assistants and faculty.
She is most proud of the relationships she has formed with members of the staff and faculty and finds those interactions the most enjoyable part of her job.
“Once you get the faculty talking about the research they are doing or what type of experiments they have lined up for the class they are teaching for the semester, they get this little spark in their eyes and excitement in their voice,” Coleman said. “You can't help but get excited yourself!”
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