Lisa Strong
About Lisa Strong
Lisa Strong is a Research Scientist and Lead Metals Analyst at the Minnesota Department of Health, where she has worked since 2015. She has an extensive background in microbiology, chemical engineering, and environmental health, with significant experience in research and emergency response.
Current Role at Minnesota Department of Health
Lisa Strong serves as a Research Scientist and Lead Metals Analyst at the Minnesota Department of Health, a position she has held since 2015. In this role, she manages a regular analytical workflow, ensuring continuous competency through proficiency testing challenges. Strong's responsibilities include developing methods and writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and validation plans for biomonitoring methods that comply with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and environmental methods governed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Previous Experience at Minnesota Department of Health
Prior to her current role, Lisa Strong worked as an APHL Biomonitoring Fellow at the Minnesota Department of Health from 2013 to 2015. During this time, she contributed to various projects related to public health and environmental monitoring. Strong has been part of the Radiological Emergency Response Team since 2014 and has served as the Deputy Planning Chief for the Minnesota State Health Department Operations Center Incident Command System Emergency Response Team since 2017.
Academic Background and Education
Lisa Strong earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, where she studied from 1989 to 1998. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution from UC San Diego, completed from 1981 to 1985. This strong academic foundation supports her research and analytical work in the field of public health.
Research Experience at University of Minnesota
Strong has extensive research experience at the University of Minnesota, where she held multiple positions. She worked as a Research Associate in the Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics department from 1998 to 2006 and as a Scientist in the Microbiology Teaching Laboratory from 2008 to 2012. Additionally, she served as a Research Associate at the Biotechnology Institute from 2012 to 2013. Her roles involved conducting research and supporting educational initiatives in the biological sciences.
Research Assistant Role at UC San Diego
Before her academic tenure at the University of Minnesota, Lisa Strong worked as a Research Assistant in the Chemical Engineering department at UC San Diego from 1987 to 1989. This role contributed to her foundational knowledge and skills in chemical engineering, which she later applied in her research and analytical work.