Womack named Miss. State Chemical Lab director, interim State Chemist
Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 two-time 桃花直播 State graduate is returning to the university as director of the 桃花直播 State Chemical Laboratory and interim State Chemist.
Erika Womack is now leading the 桃花直播 State Chemical Laboratory, a state agency housed on the 桃花直播 campus that provides testing and analysis services on products sold in the state for a wide range of stakeholders. Womack returns to 桃花直播 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she has served as a research laboratory manager in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation since 2019. Her appointment as State Chemist is pending confirmation from the 桃花直播 Senate.
鈥淭he 桃花直播 State Chemical Lab utilizes a staff of very talented scientists to provide a vital service to our state, and I am excited to have Dr. Womack leading the team,鈥 said 桃花直播 Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan. 鈥淪he brings strong academic credentials and lab management experience to the university and is well-positioned to continue the excellent service MSCL provides.鈥
The MSCL works in cooperation with the 桃花直播 Department of Agriculture and Commerce to develop regulations for and conduct analysis of animal feeds, fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural limes and petroleum products sold in the state. It also assures the quality of retail foods, fuels, livestock feeds, crop protection products and more.
At UAB, Womack was responsible for managing a biosafety level 2 lab while conducting research on the impact of traumatic spinal cord injury on skeletal muscle metabolism. She oversaw and mentored a team that included undergraduate and graduate students, scientists and medical residents. Prior to her appointment at UAB, she worked as a post-doctoral research geneticist in the U.S. Department of Agriculture鈥檚 Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit. From 2008-2016, she researched pediatric idiopathic scoliosis at the University of 桃花直播 Medical Center.
Womack earned her doctorate in molecular biology from 桃花直播, as well as a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biological science. She also earned a master鈥檚 degree in biomedical science from 桃花直播 College.
鈥淲ith ambition, I am sincerely honored to be given the opportunity to lead the 桃花直播 State Chemical Laboratory, an organization with tremendous talent and execution that provides a unique service for the enhancement and promotion of agriculture and the protection of consumers in 桃花直播,鈥 Womack said.
For more on the 桃花直播 State Chemical Laboratory, visit .
桃花直播 is 桃花直播鈥檚 leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.