Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Graduate Institution and Major: University of Illinois at Springfield Master of Legal Studies and Graduate Certificate of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security

Bio: Chantene is an Administrator at the University of Chicago in the Office of Research Safety, where she also serves as the University’s Certifying Official for the Federal Select Agent Program, as well as a liaison to senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, and other partners.

Before joining UChicago, Chantene served eight years as an intellectual property paralegal, managing foreign and domestic patent grants and annuities. This experience led her to the University of Illinois, where she served over four years as a business manager and grant administrator. Her University career started as the Executive Associate Vice President for Business and Financial Services, but she later joined the team of the Vice President for Research to launch a new business incubator and proof-of-concept accelerator that hosted wet/dry laboratories and shared office space for local researchers, entrepreneurial startups, life science projects, economic and environmental sustainability and supports internal tech transfers and ventures in health, technology, and innovation.

Chantene earned a paralegal certificate and was accepted to the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. She now holds a master's degree in Legal Studies from the University of Illinois with a focus on Public Health and Environmental Law in underserved communities, and a master’s Certificate in Public Health, Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security. She has earned a professional certificate at the University of Chicago in Regulatory Writing, another in Emergency Preparedness and Response, and currently pursuing a certificate in Clinical Trial Management.

Chantene's background connects scientific research, sustainability, intellectual property, and law, which brings a unique and relevant perspective to Public Administration. This perspective is informed by invaluable knowledge about the business functions of academia, and legal compliance, strengthening her relationships overall.

Chantene and her husband Chris have five children. She enjoys painting, playing flute and piano, teaching her children art and music, visiting museums, genealogy, gardening, and going to concerts. Chantene also manages an art gallery and can often curate art shows representing artists all over the Chicagoland area.

Relevant Professional Experience: Research Safety Administrator and Select Agent Certifying Official at the University of Chicago, Business/Administrative Coordinator at the University of Illinois, Life Sciences Paralegal at Ladas & Parry Law Firm.

Research Interests:  Epidemiology, Public Health, Environmental Law, Infectious Diseases, Public Health and Environmental Crisis in Under-Privileged Communities, Public Advocacy, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Select Agent Research, Clinical Trials

Professional Affiliations: Women in Bio, Midwest Area Biosafety Network, Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity, American Chemical Society, CSHEMA, National Association of Legal Assistants

Volunteer Activities: YMCA Advisory Board, City of Whiting Arts Council