Young Alum of the Month
Teresa M. Sigafoose
Hometown: Elkton, Virginia
Current Residence: Boone, Iowa
Major and Graduation date:
Major: MicrobiologyGraduation: May 2003
Job Title and Company:
MicrobiologistUnited States Department of Agriculture
National Veterinary Services Laboratories
Brucella and Mycobacterium Reagents Team
Ames, Iowa
Major Job Responsibilities:
As a member of the Brucella and Mycobacterium Reagents Team, I oversee and coordinate the production of all Brucella and Mycobacterium reagents used by state and federal veterinarians for the detection of Brucella spp. (in cattle, swine, sheep, goats, elk, bison, and dogs) and Mycobacterium spp. (primarily in cattle). I am also responsible for two government contracts that are part of the National Brucellosis Eradication Program and the National Tuberculosis Program. I occasionally travel, nationally and internationally, to participate in Brucellosis training courses for veterinarians and laboratory personnel. When I am not working on reagent production, I work on my section's quality assurance system by updating operating procedures, creating worksheets for production records, developing inventory databases, and creating a user friendly filing system.
What do you like most about your job?
I enjoy the challenges and responsibilities that my job offers me on a daily basis. My duties vary from day to day. One day I may be working on Tuberculin reagents and the next day Brucella reagents; or I may be preparing materials for a training presentation or attending training classes myself. I also enjoy the opportunity to work with scientists and veterinarians across the country and overseas on animal and human health issues.The benefits are also very nice. The federal government provides their employees with excellent health insurance options and vacation time.
