Dr. F. Fred Choobineh, P.E., Director, Nebraska EPSCoR

Dr. Choobineh is a professor of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering and Milton E. Mohr Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he also holds a courtesy appointment as a professor of Management.  His research interests include design and control of manufacturing systems and the use of approximate reasoning techniques such as fuzzy sets and evidence theory in modeling decision situations and risk analysis. His research has been funded by NSF and industry. He is a recipient of the Nebraska Legislator Award for Distinguished Teaching in the College of Engineering and is a four-time recipient of the Nebraska Parents Association and Teaching Council Recognition Award for Contributions to Students.  Dr. Choobineh received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Masters of Engineering, and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.  He is a Fellow of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and a member of IEEE and IIE.  He is a registered Professional Engineer in Nebraska and serves on the state Board of Engineers and Architects.

Ms. Sarah Zulkoski-Benson, Outreach Coordinator

Ms. Zulkoski-Benson received a bachelors degree of science in Biochemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1999. After graduating, she continued working for MDS PharmaServices as a manager in the bioanalytical department, where she had done data analysis and laboratory work as an undergraduate. In 2003, Sarah began coursework at UNL to receive a Masters of Secondary Teaching in science and a Nebraska teaching certificate. She began working for UNL’s Center for Biotechnology in 2004, under the direction of Dr. Michael Fromm where she developed and administrates the Molecular Biology for Secondary Classrooms (MBSC) program. MBSC serves over 1000 high school students in eastern Nebraska each year and is funded by Nebraska EPSCoR the Center for Biotechnology. In September 2007, Nebraska EPSCoR presented the opportunity for Sarah to manage the program’s outreach components. Sarah is eager to enhance and expand the opportunities for Nebraska EPSCoR to positively impact Nebraska students, teachers, and researchers.

Ms. Karla Roth, Administrative Assistant
Ms. Roth received a bachelors degree in Journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1985. After graduating, she began working in the advertising/publishing field, which included a position with HBJ Publications, Nebraska Farmer Magazine as an editorial assistant. The company produced several farm magazines throughout the U.S., in addition to the Nebraska Farmer Magazine. After the relocation of the production operation to the HBJ headquarters in Orlando, FL, she began working on a contract basis for several companies in the creation and production of various promotional materials. The creation of the Nebraska EPSCoR program brought an opportunity for Ms. Roth to use her varied skills as an administrative assistant, a position in which she has served since its inception in October of 1991.

Ms. Nancy Simnitt, Administrative Technician
Ms. Simnitt received her Associates of Applied Science degree in Administrative Secretarial from Southeast Community College-Lincoln in 1986. She began her career at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as Secretary to the Director of the School of Biological Sciences. The position provided many opportunities for increased job responsibilities and advancement. After eleven years, she took advantage of an opportunity to work in a private company in Lincoln. In 2001, Nebraska EPSCoR needed additional staff to support the increased funding and programs that had been added over the last few years. Ms. Simnitt was excited to be able to return to the research/academic setting and support the continued success of Nebraska EPSCoR.

For more information, contact:
Nebraska EPSCoR
UNL Campus
W192 Nebraska Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0557
Phone: (402) 472-8946
Fax: (402) 472-8948
Email: Nebraska EPSCoR , F Fred Choobineh , Sarah Zulkoski-Benson, Karla Roth , or Nancy Simnitt