Growing up with a mother employed at United States Environmental Protection Agency, Maura J. Donohue was introduced to the sciences at a young age. She decided to pursue her interest, first at Elms College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology in 1995, and then at American University, where she earned a PhD in chemistry in 2002. Dr. Donohue found she really enjoys the transition of digging into details and making them practical, usable, and insightful. She joined the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a research chemist in 2003, and continues in that role to this day. Some of her responsibilities include developing methods for Legionella detection and microbacteria detection in drinking water and helping out the microbiologists.
To keep in touch with her peers, Dr. Donohue joined prominent professional organizations like the American Chemical Society and the American Public Health Association. She also presents her work at events like the upcoming Water Microbiology 2018 Conference at RTP in North Carolina. In recognition of her efforts, she was honored with the Stay Award and the Bronze Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Looking to the future, Dr. Donohue intends to continue adding to the field she’s studying by publishing the data she acquired and building on her relationships with her peers. She hopes to be remembered as hardworking, approachable, detail-oriented, and personable.
When Dr. Donohue isn’t working, she enjoys sewing and reading.