Hello.  I live near Paderne, north of Albufeira, in the Algarve.  My US voting state is Florida, although I consider myself New Mexican since I lived there for 20 years with my husband, Lee.  Now we live in Portugal.

My background is in engineering, with a doctorate in mechanical engineering specializing in robotics.  I worked for NASA, then private industry, and finally a national laboratory.  Work sent me around the world, feeding my interest in travel and exploration. 

After surviving breast cancer, I ran a workplace cancer survivors’ support group.  I’ve been mildly political in the past, volunteering in conservation activities, such as citizen science in tracking bears and mountain lions in New Mexico.  I’ve supported efforts to create pathways for nature (lions, bobcats, others) to traverse connected portions of land and be protected from highways.  In 2016 I went to Argentina to track pumas on a research expedition.  I also support cat rescue and help take care of a local colony.  I am especially interested in disability activism given my family history and years of fighting with health insurance companies.