However, we still have hope and high expectations.
Kim is Mark's sister, Ray is her husband, and Alyssa is their daughter.
Kim is Research Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She does research on the effects of exposure to environmental toxins (like: tobacco smoke, pesticides, lead, etc) on infant and child behavioral and developmental outcomes. Her emphasis is mostly on tobacco smoke. In January 2005, she published a paper showing that environmental tobacco smoke exposure was associated with decreased performance by kids on cognitive tests. This got national and international attention (Mark heard her on NPR radio in San Francisco, and other family members saw her on the TV news).
Kim's two main ongoing projects:
1 - An exploration of the effects of environmental tobacco smoke on the behaviors and sleep patterns of children with asthma - This is funded by NIH. Preliminary data suggest that environmental tobacco smoke is related to an increase in children's behavior and sleep problems.
2 - A study of prenatal and early postnatal exposure to a variety of toxins (tobacco smoke, lead, pesticides, mercury, pcbs, alcohol) and effects on the nervous system and behavior among newborns. This study will also look at relationships with development and behavior in childhood, but currently focuses on infants.
Ray is Supervisor, Facilities Studies at International Paper Company. He's a financial analyst who models scenarios when the company is contemplating a major expenditure or sale. So, if they want to revamp the capabilities of one of the paper mills (make boxes instead of paper, for example), he determines the cost/benefit analysis. Or, if they want to buy another company, close a mill, or sell-off assets, he creates models to play out the scenarios so they can make an informed decision.
Alyssa is unemployed and does not even have a PhD.
However, we still have hope and high expectations.