The spouses and partners of new faculty and staff at the University offer a rich array of talent, education, and experience. They have recently relocated (or are in the process of relocating) to the Twin Cities and are eager to apply their skills in challenging employment settings. Their employment profiles, including links to resumes/vitae, are given below. If you are interested in communicating with any of the spouses/partners, please directly contact that person.

• Baishali Bakshi. I am an economist specializing in qualitative and quantitative modeling, financial options, risk analysis, asset pricing, natural resource management, international trade, economic development, and climate change. I have held research positions as a postdoctoral researcher and summer positions as a doctoral student at the University of California, Irvine. I am looking for a suitable position in the Twin Cities as I currently live here with my husband who works at the University of Minnesota. I am legally authorized to work in the United States, and I am available for interviews at this time. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Jing Dai. I will graduate from Pennsylvania State University in May 2010 with a Ph.D degree in Agronomy (minor in Statistics). My 6 years research experience in turfgrass stress physiology, nutrition, and fertilization have resulted in 6 manuscripts, 14 oral/poster presentations in regional and international conferences, and 6 university and national research awards. I have been teaching a wide range of undergraduate courses for the past 5 years including turfgrass management, nutrition, and soils. I am also experienced in distance education and have co-developed an online turfgrass module for Penn State World Campus Program. My passion and dedication in teaching won me a North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Graduate Student Teaching Award. In addition to my agronomy/horticulture background, I am very skillful in agricultural experimental designs and data analysis and have successfully designed and executed 6 cost-effective large scale field/greenhouse experiments. I will be available after May 15, 2010. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Aruna Gupta, Ph.D. I have a broad scientific background with M.S. (Biochemistry) and Ph.D. (Nutrition) with six plus years chromatography expertise, prior supervisory, and budget planning experience. In previous professional positions, I have helped set up a core analytical facility and served as a knowledge and technical resource for biomolecular purification. I have also had the opportunity to plan and manage projects from concept to proof-of-principle stage and to make significant independent contributions in team environments. As listed on my vitae, one of my projects resulted in a patent. Further, as a Nutrition major, I have the requisite experience in conducting animal and human studies. I also have significant experience in writing technical reports and analyzing scientific and technical information. I am seeking an administrative position such as grant coordinator, researcher or manager of technology commercialization, or related area that allows me to utilize my broad scientific expertise, maturity, organizational skills, and willingness to engage and consider all perspectives. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Brian Hasty. Diverse experience in growing and developing a small marketing firm with a focus on reaching college students through a variety of advertising methods. Was involved with the many aspects of operations, human resources, and media-buying as well as the development of the systems and databases used within the company.  I'm seeking a position in higher education that would utilize my diverse background in small business and knowledge of the college student demographic. I also have many years experience working with students and coaching women's athletics at the college level. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Hannes Kaestner. I graduated from the Technical University of Berlin, Germany with a degree in Process/Chemical and Energy Engineering (Master’s equivalent) and recently moved to the United States to live with my wife. During college, I studied in France for a year where I gained international experience by assisting on experimental research work for the Université de Pau. I had the opportunity to complete my thesis work, a process design project, as a visiting scholar in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. My work in polymer research and development during an internship with DOW Chemical in Germany helped me to gain hands-on experience in the chemical industry. My goal is to work as an engineer focusing on process development within the chemical/energy industry or in a manufacturing environment where I can utilize my process engineering skills. I am authorized to work in the United States and am currently available for interviews. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Morgan Keasler. I have been working as an HR Consultant providing policy assistance to HR staff and as a significant member of an implementation team for a statewide online application system. I have experience in the development and facilitation of training programs and in working with students in a university setting. I am open to a career from a variety of fields (HR development, performance evaluation, process analysis, career counseling or program/project management) which involves meaningful and challenging work that will utilize my strengths and allow for professional development. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• David Klabanoff. Experienced hospitality and property management professional, presently working as a Property Manager at Wisconsin's first multi-use facility that combines retail space, private residential units, and university housing. In this position, I manage front desk staff, concierge, and doormen and have responsibility for staffing, training, budgeting, event planning, and guest relations. I have also been trained in sales and leasing for both the rental property and private residence hall. Prior to this, I worked at one of the finest hotels in Madison, WI. Hotel experience included managing the executive club with responsibilities of staffing, training, budgeting, and guest relations as well as experience as a front office manager overseeing the front desk and bell staff. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Shuming Luo. Goal-oriented, finance professional with excellent analytical and communication skills seeking a position in finance/accounting areas. Proven team player with strong independent research ability. I have worked as a senior financial consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers for 3+ years. Prior to earning my M.B.A. from University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2006, I had worked as a senior associate auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Arthur Andersen for 3+ years and credit analyst with China Merchants Bank for 1+ years. I also worked with Best Buy Co. as a senior financial analyst intern in the summer of 2005. I have significant experience in financial close and reporting, FP&A, ERP (PeopleSoft and SAP) implementation, and finance policies/processes development and improvement. Advance user of Microsoft Office tools. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Pragati Pandey, MD. I'm currently a third-year Family Practice resident at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. I will be finishing my residency training on May 30, 2010, and will be moving to Minneapolis in June 2010 as my husband will start a nephrology fellowship at the University of Minnesota. I am looking for a job in the Minneapolis area starting in August of 2010, preferably in an outpatient setting. I graduated from a medical school in India. I am board eligible and plan to take the board exam in June 2010. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Detlef Pocha. Senior software engineer with more than 20 years of extensive experience within diverse industries. Seeking a position with a company in the Twin Cities area as a software developer. Bringing in a broad foundation of knowledge, team and management skills, and a high level of motivation. Fluent in English and German. Available for interviews anytime. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Tomas Soderberg. I am a film and video professional with experience in the Production, Grip/Electric, Camera, and Editing departments. I have a B.F.A. in Film and Video Production from the Art Institute of Portland in Portland, Oregon, and two years experience working as a freelance employee for a variety of commercial, narrative and documentary film, and event productions in the Portland area. I am especially interested in collaborating and crewing on documentary and narrative film productions. I now live with my family in Minneapolis and am available for meetings and interviews. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Sunil K. Singh. I am a MBA student at the Carlson School of Management graduating in Fall 2009 and available for employment in international business ventures where my education in supply chain management can be utilized to look at existing chains with a view to enhance their efficiency and reduce costs. My previous career in the military has provided me with excellent leadership, management, and negotiation skills to manage a diverse, multi-skilled workforce in achieving difficult mission objectives. My business education at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad, India, and my knowledge of business processes in South Asia make me an ideal choice for managing transnational operations with countries of the region. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Rhoda Weerts. I am a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with 6 years of experience in various clinical settings including Level I and II Trauma Centers. I have provided anesthisia for orthopedics, urology, burns, plastics, ophthalmology, ENT, ECT, endoscopy, cardiac defibrillators, cardiothoracic, neurology, spine, and other general cases. In addition, I have experience in performing pre- and post-op evaluations and responding to code calls. I have a proven record of working collaboratively with anesthesia and hospital staff. I am seeking a part-time position in a clinical or hospital setting beginning October 2009. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Jennifer Weinbaum. Art History Instructor. I have a Master’s degree in Art History from the University of Iowa. I have extensive experience teaching art or art history to diverse student bodies, including lecturing to undergraduates during my TA appointments at Iowa. Through this experience, I have discovered and fine tuned various teaching techniques including the use of humor, alternative media, group projects, and field trips. My experience with archival research informs the materials I introduce to students. Many students and professors have commented on my passion for the material and my ability to inspire students. I am continually adding to my knowledge of art history by keeping abreast of the latest research, attending conferences, and volunteering at art institutions. Currently available for interviews. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Michael Wright, Ph.D. Social science/ergonomics/building science researcher. I worked at a UK University for 6 years, researching lighting for people with poor vision, and emergency escape route lighting, I also did some lecturing at this time. Over the last 8 years I have carried out research into a wide range of topics, including accessibility, stair safety, domestic security, sustainable homes, how poor housing affects the health of occupiers. I have also designed questionnaires (paper and online) for an even wider range of topics. I have been involved in managing research projects, as well as carrying out a number of projects. I am looking for work that would allow me to use my research skills; collecting, processing and presenting data, or my knowledge concerning safety and access of buildings. I will be available from mid-July. Resume/Vitae (pdf)
• Guang Yang, Ph.D. I am seeking a scientist/engineer position in the medical device industry. I obtained my Ph.D. in physics in 2007 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My doctoral and postdoctoral research focused on medical device development. Working collaboratively with UNC and Siemens, most recently I have been leading a team of six to design, fabricate, and test a novel x-ray imaging system for breast cancer diagnoses. Note only has my work contributed to the successful development of several commercial products, but it has also led to five patents, 14 publications, and national awards including the Radiological Society of North America trainee research prize. In addition to extensive academic work, I have gained a variety of industrial and clinical experiences, by working as an industrial intern, a technology entrepreneur, and a medical physicist. Resume/Vitae (pdf)

Please contact the Relocation Assistance Program if you have any questions. Thank you for your support of the University of Minnesota.