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As a member of the faculty at Carnegie Mellon, Natalie has contributed to the undergraduate and graduate programs in Biological Sciences by teaching and advising students at the novice, advanced, and graduate levels. Natalie has created multiple successful introductory laboratory courses with the goal of making scientific research approachable to novice biology students and non-majors. In 2021 she received Â鶹¹ÙÍø's for her contributions to a first-year research-based lab course for intended bio majors. Natalie has also helped develop and is the Assistant Director of the Masters Program in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering.

Natalie has been involved with numerous outreach activities for elementary, middle, and high school students promoting science education through hands-on learning experiences. She is the academic advisor for Neuroscience Student Advisory Council (NeurSAC) which conducts outreach activities and promotes mental health on campus. In addition, Natalie chairs the departmental Inclusion Excellence Committee, which works to create a greater sense of community and inclusiveness in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Melissa Lessure began working at PGSS at Â鶹¹ÙÍø in March of 2013. As a musician, Melissa has been playing flute with the Johnstown Symphony since 1997. Her chamber group, Sterling and Strings, performs regularly in the Western Pennsylvania region. Melissa teaches flute at the PYCO School of Music in Wexford, and she is president of the Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, an organization which promotes interaction among those who share a commitment to music.

 Melissa received her master’s degree in music from Â鶹¹ÙÍø studying with Julius Baker and her bachelor’s degree from Florida State. Melissa has Accounting Certification from Robert Morris University. Her favorite database is Filemaker Pro, the primary database of PGSS since the 1990s. During her tenure at PGSS, Melissa has updated procedures and preserved historic PGSS files so the data is still accessible.

 Melissa is thrilled to work with new director Natalie McGuier and the brilliant faculty and staff of PGSS and meet the amazing PGSS students every year.