1. DeandreaLeigh Watkins 2015 Curriculum Vitae Page 1
Deandrea Leigh Watkins
3233 Kirkman Street Discipline
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601 Chemistry/STEM Education & Outreach
337-965-1346 (cell) / 337-477-1116 (home)
dlwatkins2@gmail.com
Education
M.S. -- The University of Iowa- Dec 2015
Iowa City, IA
Major Area: Analytical Chemistry
Minor Area: Chemistry Education
Advisors: Dr. Mark A. Arnold (Analytical), Dr. Norbert Pienta (Chemistry Education)
Thesis Title: Etching chemistry of quaternary III-V semiconductor materials for improved optical biomedical sensors
Minor Research Title: Graduate Student Preparedness in Analytical and Physical Chemistry
Graduate Teaching Certificate --The University of Iowa – Dec 2015
(2013) Includes 12 hours of course work and practical experience in innovative teaching strategies
B.S. -- Southern University at New Orleans – May 2005
New Orleans, LA
Major: Chemistry
Work Experience
TEACHING / STEM OUTREACH AND SUPPORT EXPERIENCE
2014-2015. STEM Multicultural Specialist. The University of Iowa Center for Diversity & Enrichment (CDE):
Supervisor-Fred Mims.
 Ensured The University of Iowa's diversity goals were met by providing counseling, advising, and programming to URM-
STEM students served by CDE
 Assisted with outreach and retention of URM-STEM students and supported all programs sponsored by CDE.
 Executed K-12 STEM outreach in Iowa schools and in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids community at outside festivals/fairs with
a focus on Black students
 Advised URM-STEM Student Organizations such as The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of
Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)
 Worked with the CDE staff and other university staff and faculty to develop, promote, present, and assess new activities and
programs such as, LSAMP and SLOAN, and proposed modifications to increase student retention, graduation, and success
2013. STEM Coordinator. The University of Iowa Department of Chemistry:
Supervisors- Brenna Goode (The Department of Chemistry) and Sarah Larsen, Ph.D. (The Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Institute).
 Coordinated and administered operational and financial activities associated with the STEM Program
 Monitored status of projects, analyzed program data, developed reports, oversaw activities, assisted in
coordination/preparation of strategic plans in support of STEM Outreach
 Assisted in the development of STEM outreach plans for inclusion in grant submittals by faculty
 Communicated outreach opportunities to faculty and staff; coordinated with other STEM Programs on campus, local
educators and other resources as required to facilitate execution of programs
 Coordinated and consolidated all information on existing STEM efforts, used information to help develop strategic plan to
improve the implementation of STEM Education & Outreach in The Department of Chemistry and The Nanoscience and
Nanotechnology Institute.
2013. Upward Bound/EPScor Instructor. The University of Iowa Upward Bound/EPScor:
Supervisor -Tonya Peeples, Ph.D.
 Taught 10th
grade class to introduce students to basic chemical concepts, including discussions and hands on experiments
 Facilitated field trip to Iowa Advanced Technologies Laboratories (IATL) to show students what graduate students do in
their labs and in their offices

2. DeandreaLeigh Watkins 2015 Curriculum Vitae Page 2
 Coordinated efforts for STEM Outreach at Regina High School STEM Discovery Zone
 Assisted in efforts to identify student organizations to participate in outreach activity and assisted in administration of
outreach surveys to assess public interest in Engineering.
2011. Practicum, Analytical Measurements (004:143): The University of Iowa: Instructor: Dr. Maxwell Geng: implemented new
laboratory experiment using UV-Vis Spectroscopy; designed and implemented “Connections” component of course purposed to
connect the lecture information obtained by students to the laboratory experiments performed
2010. Iowa Biosciences Advantage Tutor, General Chemistry (004:007): The University of Iowa: Supervisor: Jodi Linley:
provided private tutoring to program students
2009. Guest Lecturer via Practicum, Principles of Chemistry II (004:012):The University of Iowa: Instructor: Dr. Torres y Torres:
taught Chapter on Acid Base Equilibria, graded tests, held office hours, assisted the instructor
2008. Teaching Assistant, General Chemistry (004:007): The University of Iowa: Instructor: Luke Haverhal: taught students the
fundamentals of chemistry, administered and graded quizzes
2007. Teaching Assistant, Principles of Chemistry Lab: The University of Iowa:
Instructors: Amy Strathman, Ph.D., Russell G. Larsen, Ph.D., Don Cannon, Ph.D.: improved student lab experiments through testing
of better methods, assisted in the writing of new experimentation methods
1992-1993. Chemistry Drill Instructor, General Chemistry: Xavier University of Louisiana: Instructor: Carmichael, Ph.D.: taught
students the fundamentals of chemistry, administered and graded quizzes
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2006 - 2013. Advisor: Mark A. Arnold, Ph.D.
Description: The goal of this study was to increase extraction efficiency for the light source of an optical biomedical glucose sensor
from InAsGaSb semiconductor material through wet chemical etching by varying etchant composition of a particular etchant
formulation. There was an extensive study of the system kinetics to understand the chemical kinetics essential to improving the light
extraction capabilities of the sensor.
2005 - 2006.
Description: Digital Micro Mirror Array Device – used to predict glucose concentration, collected spectra of buffer, glucose, urea and
varied path length for the glucose sensor project.
2008 - 2013. Advisor: Norbert Pienta, Ph.D.
Description: The goal of the study was to understand general factors related to student preparedness for graduate school in analytical
and physical chemistry; includes categorizing both exams into general topical areas (e.g. separations, spectroscopy, electrochemistry).,
and using test data from ca.300 first year students from the last 10 years to determine their success on individual test questions that
have been mapped to the general topical content areas, and Some basic anonymized demographic information about students would be
tested as variables (e.g. gender, nature of bachelors institution-primarily undergraduate, comprehensive, PhD)
CLERICAL/CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE
1999-2005. Data Entry/Record Center Specialist: Iron Mountain, New Orleans, LA.: indexed all incoming items; including but are
not limited to: medical records, business office records, loose documents, and miscellaneous boxes; retrieved and delivered medical
records to clients; performed off-site special projects when needed; assisted other company departments in pulling and refilling
records, driving, answering phones, and general customer service.
1998. Quality Assurance Auditor/Materials Analyst: Turnbull Bakeries, New Orleans, LA.: Supervised employees and audited
finished products to ensure compliance with GMPs and other company specifications; monitored product lines, collected, inspected,
and tested packages and raw materials, recorded data, maintained QA files and reported as needed, operated and maintained QA test
equipment.
1997. Merchandising Specialist: Gulfport, MS.: served customers, stocked, organized and maintained inventory, performed
shipping/receiving tasks.
1996. Pharmacy Technician: New Orleans, LA: assisted pharmacist in preparation and dispensing of medication,
shipped/received/and stored all supplies, performed data entry tasks, maintained inventory records, served customers.
1994-1995. Home Health Aid: Kenner, LA.: cared for individuals in their homes, which included cleaning patient’s quarters,
purchasing, preparing, serving meals, and assisting clients with other activities of daily living.

3. DeandreaLeigh Watkins 2015 Curriculum Vitae Page 3
Selected Presentations
Oral
Selected Student Presenter: Characterized Wet Chemical Etching of InAsGaSb with H3Cit: H2O2: HCl Etchant for the Purpose
of Improved Performance of Light Emitting Diodes. Watkins, D.L.; Olesberg, J.T.; Boggess, T.F.; Arnold, M.A. 19th
Annual
Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing Conference, Iowa City, IA, October 18-19, 2010.
Characterized Wet Chemical Etching of InAsGaSb with H3Cit: H2O2: HCl Etchant for the Purpose of Improved Performance
of Light Emitting Diodes. Watkins, D.L.; Olesberg, J.T.; Boggess, T.F.; Arnold, M.A. Predoctoral Training Program in
Biotechnology Annual Trainee Symposium, May 13, 2010.
Increased Light Extraction of InAsGaSb through Wet Chemical Etching. Watkins, D.L.; Olesberg, J.T.; Boggess, T.F.; Arnold,
M.A. NOBCChE National 36th
Annual Technical Conference, St Louis, MS April 13-17, 2009.
Optimizing LED Structure Through Wet Etching. Watkins, D.L.; Olesberg, J.T.; Boggess, T.F.; Arnold, M.A. Iowa Academy of
Science 119th
Annual Meeting, Pella, IA, April 27-29, 2007.
Poster
Characterized Wet Chemical Etching of InAsGaSb with H3Cit: H2O2: HCl Etchant for the Purpose of Improved Performance
of Light Emitting Diodes. Watkins, D.L.; Olesberg, J.T.; Boggess, T.F.; Arnold, M.A. NOBCChE National 38th
Annual Technical
Conference, Houston, TX April 19-22, 2011
Increased Light Extraction of InAsGaSb LED Through Wet Chemical Etching. Watkins. D.L.; Olesberg, J.T.; Boggess, T.F.;
Arnold, M.A. 8th
Annual Optical Science Technology Center Symposium, April 16, 2010.
Increased Light Extraction of InAsGaSb LED Through Wet Chemical Etching. Watkins, D.L.; Olesberg, J.T.; Boggess, T.F.;
Arnold, M.A. The 44th
Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Iowa City, IA., October 21-24, 2009.
Awards/Honors
Graduate College Fellowship (University of Iowa), 2013
Daughters of the American Revolution William Robert Findley Graduate Chemistry Scholarship, 2011
Graduate College Fellowship (University of Iowa), 2011
Graduate Incentive Fellowship (University of Iowa), 2011
National Institute of Health (NIH) Training Grant Fellowship, 2008-2011
NOBCChE Advancing Science Award Winner 2009-2011
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship, 2005-2008
Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LAMP) Scholarship, 2004
Specific Skills
Innovative STEAM Teaching for diverse populations, STEM Outreach Coordination and Implementation, Wet Chemical Acid Etching (WCAE),
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR), Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Digital Micro Mirror Array
Device (DMD), Microsoft Office, Typing 70wpm/ 12,000kph, Employee Supervision, handling detail oriented tasks and multitasking, Food
testing/Quality assurance procedures/Production operations, Information Analysis, work in lab environment/use common lab equipment
Conferences/Professional Development
Future Faculty Workshop: Diverse Leaders of Tomorrow, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts 2010
Developing a Research Statement Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Workshop, Iowa City, Iowa 2009
Center for Biocatalysis & Bioprocessing, Iowa City, Iowa 2008
Iowa Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Pella, Iowa 2007
Compact for Faculty Diversity’s Institute on Teaching and Mentoring, Arlington, Virginia 2007
Developing a Teaching Philosophy and an Inclusive Classroom WISE Workshop, Iowa City, Iowa 2007

4. DeandreaLeigh Watkins 2015 Curriculum Vitae Page 4
Organizations/Activities
National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)
2004-present, The University of Iowa Chapter President, 2008-2011.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., 2008-present Chaplain, 2008-2011.
Multi-Ethnic Engineering Association (MESA) Tutoring Program 2005-2009.
Black Graduate and Professional Students (BGAPS), 2007.
Gospel Explosion Ministry Minister of Music, 2006-2009.; Windmill Manor Nursing Home Volunteer, 2006-2009.
Voices of Soul Gospel Choir, 2005-present, President 2006-2007, Business Manager 2009-2010, Student Advisor 2012-2014.