Employee Spotlight: Sammie Osley

Meet ORAU employee Sammie Osley! Sammie is an ORAU contractor working under the National Student Services Contract (NSSC) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Research Triangle Park, NC. As a Research Program Assistant, Sammie supports EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD), the Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), and the Chemical Characterization and Exposure Division (CCED). Sammie assists the CCED Deputy Director with the analytical and administrative duties, including management, and communication of CCTE’s administrative and research programs.

Sammie tracks the CCED’s progress by using the Indicators of Success website.  The website provides metrics including the number of products delivered on schedule, the number of presentations the division received, the number of positive Employee Viewpoint Surveys, and other pertinent datapoints. The Tracking the Indicators of Success website is an essential part of Sammie's job. The purpose of this site is to provide transparency on the history of the division's success and encourage division members to strive for excellence while highlighting the impacts on science and research. In addition, Sammie facilitates CCED employee onboarding and offboarding processes and creates a welcoming, organized atmosphere to ensure new members start on a positive note and depart with ease. Using a recently implemented SharePoint site called Onboard-Tracker, Sammie keeps employees, and their supervisors informed and up to date on the tasks to be completed when joining or leaving the division. As a result of these projects, she has contributed to a division that is well-informed, well-supported, and well-organized.

Background

Sammie is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. She moved south to attend the University of Florida, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science. After exploring her degree field through various roles, including Head Grower and President of Environmental Horticulture, Lab Technician for UF's Blueberry Breeding program, and later Research Technician for NC State's Mountain Horticultural Crop Research and Extension Center's Tomato Breeding program, she decided to connect her knowledge of plant science and environmental science through advancing her education. Sammie is a part-time master's student at NC State University studying Environmental Assessment while working on the EPA NSSC contract. When Sammie discovered the opportunity to join CCED, she recognized it as an excellent chance to apply her current education and previous work experience to further her career development. Sammie chose to pursue this path because she values environmental and human health and was excited that CCED's goals offered her practical work experience that complemented her studies at NC State.

Sammie achieved several professional milestones, including cultivating approximately 4,000 poinsettia plants from rooted stem cuttings to mature specimens while serving as President and head grower of the University of Florida's Environmental Horticulture Club. The club grows poinsettias each year and sells them at a record-breaking pace. As President, Sammie organized an international trip to Italy for club members involved in the growth process to observe and experience horticultural practices, and to experience Italian art, and history.

Sammie’s professional goals include bridging the communication gap between scientists and the public by fostering an open dialogue between the two. An informed community enables the public to make decisions based on facts that help protect their human and environmental health and safety. On a personal note, Sammie aspires to write and publish a book detailing what she has learned through her work and studies.

Fun Facts:  Sammie is an avid yogi and genuinely enjoys live music and traveling.