Early life and primary school education in Pennsylvania; Double major in art and biology at William and Mary; Transfer to Penn State as biology major; Travel and experience in Africa with Peace Corps; Graduate education in Plant Pathology at Cornell University; postdoc at USDA lab in New Orleans; Research as assistant professor at Texas A&M; Tenure process; Recruitment by University of Wisconsin Department of Plant Pathology; Reputation of research programs in science; Teaching and mentoring graduate students; Obtaining funding for research; Work on faculty committees and professional organizations; Climate for women on UW campus; Motherhood and personal life.