As Technical Editor for the Flora of North America project, Ms. Schmidt is responsible for applying the specialized formatting, style, and usage standards to the manuscripts of botanical taxa for the flora. Her background includes 15 years of experience in scientific editing, publishing, and print production at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and 14 years in accounting for a major steel company.
She received a B.A. in anthropology with a minor in biology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1983 and is a certified Editor in the Life Sciences through the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences, for whom she serves as Secretary. Other professional affiliations include the Council of Science Editors, the European Association of Science Editors, and the Association of Earth Science Editors.
Ms. Schmidt also serves as Managing Editor for the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology News Bulletin, a part-time position she has held since 1992. That, along with her involvement in the activities of her two teenage children, means spare time is practically nonexistent. Still, when it materializes, you'll find her reading a medical thriller or listening to music (anything from hard rock to classical). She is also a dedicated fan of science fiction television and especially misses Babylon 5 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.