University of Alabama at Birmingham, Graduate School : I was awarded a Caroline P. Ireland Research Travel Scholarship to travel to the University of Oklahoma and train with Dr. Fields in the best practices for the collection, handling, and storage of breast milk samples, as well as the procedures for performing the desired hormonal assays in the breast milk. As a result, I was able to successfully complete a longitudinal, observational research study from conception through publication for my dissertation. Additionally, I developed protocols for these methods so they could be integrated into the services offered through the core facility of the UAB NORC and the Diabetes Research Center.
