New lab manager Kimberly Simmons is already a familiar face around the Physical Sciences Department. The former chemist and longtime chemistry teacher has been an adjunct professor in Barry’s Chemistry program for the past two years. Now, she is expanding her role by joining the department full time. “I truly enjoy working at Barry and within the Physical Sciences department,” says Simmons. “The department as a whole is very welcoming and a joy to work with.”
Along with more than a decade of experience teaching chemistry to high school and college students, Simmons brings a deep knowledge of chemistry and laboratory practices to the position. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Blackburn College before beginning her career as a lab technician testing oil, coal, and water samples for the midwestern power company Ameren. Soon, she advanced to the role of Quality Control Chemist for Akorn Pharmaceuticals and later oversaw quality control in the laboratories of both TMI Analytical Services and Severn Trent Labs/KSA Environmental. Her desire to teach led her to Broward County’s Sagemont School and Archbishop McCarthy High School, as well as adjunct roles at Broward College, NOVA Southeastern University, and, of course, Barry University. Amid her busy teaching career, in 2015, Simmons earned her master’s degree in Chemical and Life Sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park.
As Lab Manager for the Physical Sciences department, Simmons is one of the gatekeepers of all lab equipment. You’ll find her assisting students and faculty in the teaching and research labs, setting up experiments in the physics lab, and providing instrumentation training, among other essential tasks. “It is great!” says Simmons of her new position. “The thing I love the most is the ability to not only be in the lab hands on but I also get to teach others about the instruments, which brings two of my passions together, Science and Teaching. It is a win-win all the way around!”
As a veteran of the chemistry field, Simmons is also a mentor to Barry’s Chem majors. By facilitating student learning and research, she plays a key role in guiding the next generation of chemistry leaders; and her broad background offers a glimpse into the many career opportunities students can look forward to, from medicine to pharmacology to environmental analyst and so much more!
Welcome, Kimberly Simmons!