Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering von der University of Alabama, 1986; Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering vom Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1991; Doktortitel in Electrical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, 1995; J.D. (Juris Doctor) from George Washington University, 2004; Semifinalistin bei den Astronautenauswahlen der NASA-Gruppen 17 und 18; war Member of Technical Staff, Bell Laboratories; derzeit Associate at Kenyon & Kenyon, Washington D.C.