Dr. Kate Brilakis

​brilakisk@durhamtech.edu
kkbrilakis@gmail.com
​www.katebrilakis.com​
​text: 703.498.9997  ​

                                                                   
     I've enjoyed teaching General Biology, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, Human Genetics, General Genetics and Natural Science at various colleges and universities for over 35 years including UMd, CNU, UDC, CCC, VBCC, NCC, NVCC, ACC, DTCC...whew, that's a lot of letters ;). I am also an Army veteran. Prior to becoming an educator, I was a research associate in microbial genetics in the Biological Chemistry Department of Walter Reed Army Institute for Research in NW DC. I was serving as an active-duty soldier at the time, completing field medic training prior to being assigned to my Walter Reed research team.
    
     As the spouse of a retired Marine who served 40 years on active duty, I’ve moved around quite a bit, living throughout the U.S. as well as in Europe and Asia. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach at every duty station we were assigned. It was, and still is, a great journey!    
    
     I’ve also been a student for most of my life. I was in my fifties when I earned my doctorate at George Mason University. It took me over a decade to complete the coursework and then research, write and defend my dissertation since we transferred to a new duty station six times while working on that degree. I was in my thirties when I earned my Master's degree from GMU in Molecular/Cell Biology, only moving three times during that degree process. My undergraduate degree, a BS in Biology with a minor in education, was earned at
Lafayette College along with a Certificate of Education in Science (teaching license). I know that being a full time/part time student while working and/or taking care of a family (and with a spouse deployed) can be challenging. I remember what it was like to have little kids going "mommymommmmmy" while I was trying to study and prepare lesson plans. My family refers to me as their poster child for life-long education.
    
     We moved to Hillsborough, NC in 2020 and are tickled to be putting down roots after decades of relocations. Moving so often was a challenge but it also allowed us the opportunity to experience so many different cultures. 
Now settled in NC, I am grateful we discovered Hillsborough and its ​welcoming community.

I'm an avid volunteer in my community, both with the Hillsborough Arts Council and 
the Orange County Democrats. I'm in the process of creating a science literacy program
for our local library and senior center.     
     
     For fun, I ride my sweet old rescue horse, Fiona. 
​ I also love to swim, dance, hike, throw clay on my potter's wheel and travel.    

And every morning, after I finish my barn chores, I get to giggle at the antics of my chickens...    
   
      My kids all graduated with BS degrees from Virginia Tech. They were also able to advance their education by taking community college classes (as did I) so we as a family respect and appreciate the opportunities community colleges offer. For those of you enrolled in our local college, 
I applaud you for recognizing the value of NC's colleges and
​look forward to getting to know each of you this semester!