Dr. Mallette worked as a design, process and research engineer before obtaining her Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering at Montana State University. She has a strong interest in improving engineering students practical professional skills and their ability to be effective engineers. Her current scholarly focus is effective teamwork and writing instruction in engineering curriculum. Her past research explored biofilms and biological production of fuel chemicals. She currently coordinates the Writing Intensive Curriculum and team teaches the senior design series. At times, she is also a visiting professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for Operations and Process Laboratory.