Experience

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

B.A. in Physics from Cornell University (1957)

Ph.D. in Biophysics from Yale University (1962)

Post-Doctoral research at Yale and Princeton Universities

Formerly a Research Associate at University of Minnesota in Department of Genetics and Cell Biology (Dec. 1965 to Sept. 1974)

Bush Leadership Fellow (1983-1986)

M.P.A., J.F.K. School of Government, Harvard University (1986)

LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE

First elected to State House of Representatives in 1972

Elected to 20th term, 2010 election

Speaker Pro Tempore, 1994, 1995, 1996

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

State Government Finance Division, DFL-Lead

Ways and Means

Capital Investment Committee

Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement

Legislative Audit Commission

OTHER EXPERIENCE (partial list)

American Association for the Advancement of Science – Elected Fellow (1991)
        - Section on General Interest in Science and Engineering – Former Chair (2002)
        - Section on Societal Impacts of Science and Engineering – Former Chair (1991)

National Conference of Lawyers and Scientists – Former Member

Council of State Governments
        - State Environmental Initiative, US-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) – Former Advisory Committee Member
        - Sound Science Advisory Board – Former Member

Starbase, Inc. (a project of the State Department of Military Affairs, to enhance the teaching of science and technology to inner city youth) – Current Board Member

Maternal and Child Health Bureau Workshop on Genetics Issues in Maternal and Child Health for State Policy Makers - Planning Committee Member, December, 1999

University of Minnesota Joint Degree Program in Law, Health and Life Sciences-Advisory Board – Member (2001-present)

Participant in US-European Biotechnology Initiative on Genetically Modified Crops (Dec. 2001)

Women in Government – State Director and member of Higher Education Task Force

Moderator of Panel on Agricultural Issues – Genetics and Public Policy Conference May 1999 and Genetics Task Force December 1999

SELECTED ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Government Technology Magazine – Listed among Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers (2011) (www.govtech.com/top-25)

Governing Magazine’s Public Officials of the Year recipient (2009) (http://www.governing.com/poy/2009/kahn/)

Audubon Minnesota “award for exceptional conservation leadership to secure our nation’s first Lights Out law for state buildings during bird migration seasons” (2009)

Minnesota Society American Institute of Architects Special Award for "her efforts in the State Legislature and especially her authorship of the Art in State Buildings Bill." (1990)

Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) Better Government Service Award: Legislator of the Year. (1995)

Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act listed as "The Best Law" – 1995 and in the "The Best Ever" Section (2002).

Minnesota Conservation Corps Exemplary Leadership Award (2003)

Children's Defense Fund – Legislative Children's Champion (2007)

Minnesota Women's Consortium – Dreamer and Doer (2008)

"100% Minnesotan" by the Conservation Minnesota Voter Center (2008)