Meet the Scientist: Enada Archibold
Spotlight on: Enada Archibold, Lead Research Chemist, CDC’s Division of Laboratory Sciences
Where did you grow up? College Park, Georgia
When did you know you wanted a career in science/public health?
I knew I wanted to be a chemist once I took high school chemistry courses at Westlake High School. I loved drawing out mechanisms and bench/wet chemistry work. I took general and AP Chemistry, as well as Qualitative Analysis. An ORISE fellowship at CDC under Dr. Hubert Vesper solidified my interest in a career in science. It was the first time I was given the opportunity to develop methods and apply these methods to investigate biomarkers in human populations.
Where did you attain your degrees?
I received my BS in Chemistry at Spelman College in Atlanta and my PhD in Analytical Chemistry at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
What does your laboratory do?
My laboratories are in the Clinical Chemistry Branch. In particular, I serve in the Protein Biomarker Laboratory. We work in the area of biomonitoring, measuring biomarkers such as hemoglobin adducts (e.g., adducts of ethylene oxide, acrylonitrile, acrylamide, and glycidamide), trans-fatty acids, urinary creatinine, and biotin.
What does your average weekend look like?
My average weekends are spent relaxing and winding down from the week. I bought a house about 3 years ago and have been doing a good bit of gardening and lawn maintenance. I also spend a lot of time with my family or talking to them over the phone.
In college, people thought you were…
Friendly and hilarious!
In elementary school, people thought you were…
Quiet
Favorite movie/tv show?
I love the entire Harry Potter series, and my favorite TV show is Friends. I’ve probably watched all the Harry Potter movies a gazillion times, and I can say the same for Friends.
What book have you read more than once?
The Harry Potter and Hunger Games series.
What do you hope, best case, to see come from your lab in the next couple years?
I’d like to see more publications come out from our group, as we have accomplished several research goals and have work that needs to be shared with our peers. I’d also like for our lab to begin research in the area of liver disease/injury and develop methods for measuring biomarkers of liver disease/injury.
Best part of your job?
The people. They’re friendly and extremely hard working.
They all go above and beyond to get things done.
One thing about you that your CDC colleagues may not know.
I used to be a first chair flute player up until high school, and I loved it. I used to listen to the radio, figure out the notes, and play the songs. I still love my flute, but haven’t made much time to play it. It’s something I’d like to get back into though because it was actually relaxing.
20 years after you leave CDC, what is it you want people to
remember about you?
That I helped CDC’s biomonitoring program grow and receive visibility and recognition around the world. That I was a good person, personable, and always looked out for others.
Enada Archibold serves as a Lead Research Chemist in the Clinical Chemistry Branch of CDC’s Division of Laboratory Sciences. These laboratories develop and improve methods for assessing disease status and risk associated with certain environmental exposures and select chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hormonal disorders.
The DLS Snapshot is a quick glimpse into the background of scientists in the Division of Laboratory Sciences—CDC’s Environmental Laboratory.