Vickie Sutton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vickie Sutton
Vickie Sutton, 2019
Born	Vickie Verbyla 9 April 1956 Lenoir, North Carolina, USA
Alma mater	North Carolina State University Old Dominion University The University of Texas at Dallas Washington College of Law
Occupation	academic, political appointee
Known for	Chief Counsel, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 2005-2007; Assistant Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, also known as the White House Science Office, 1991-1993
Scientific career
Institutions	Texas Tech University

Vickie Sutton was born in 1956. She is an American law professor who teaches at Texas Tech University School of Law. Since 2014, Professor Sutton has been part of the Texas Task Force. This group helps prepare for and respond to infectious diseases.

About Vickie Sutton

Vickie Sutton grew up in Lenoir, North Carolina. She is a member of the Lumbee Indian Tribe. When she was younger, she was crowned Miss North Carolina USA in 1977. At that time, she used the name Vikki Verbyla.

Her Education

Vickie Sutton studied at several universities. She earned her Master's degree in Public Administration from Old Dominion University. Later, she received her Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences. She got this degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. While studying for her Ph.D., she also worked as a legal assistant.

After finishing her Ph.D., she worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This was in Washington D.C. She helped with policy and planning. At that time, climate change was becoming a very important issue.

Working in Government

Because of her interest in climate change, Vickie Sutton moved to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). This office is part of the White House. She worked on meetings about climate change with the State Department. She became a Senior Policy Analyst.

She later became an Assistant Director for a group that coordinated over 2,000 federal scientists. This group focused on important research. Their work included climate change, powerful computers, and new technologies like biotechnology. She also helped organize meetings with the President of the United States.

Vickie Sutton then decided to study law. She earned her law degree (J.D.) from American University, Washington College of Law in 1999. While in law school, she interned at the U.S. Department of Justice. She also worked for a judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Career at Texas Tech and Public Service

In 1999, Vickie Sutton began teaching at Texas Tech University School of Law. She was the first woman to run for U.S. Congress in her district in 2003.

In 2004, she was a guest lecturer at Yale Law School. She also taught at the Yale School of Public Health. In 2005, she started working on projects about biodefense. She also helped create the first law journal focused on law, policy, and biodefense.

In 2005, Vickie Sutton became a founding member of a special board. This board advises the National Congress of American Indians. It helps Native American communities lead on important policy issues.

From 2005 to 2007, Vickie Sutton served as the first Chief Counsel for the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). This is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. She also led the U.S. DOT Climate Change Council.

In 2007, she returned to her teaching job at Texas Tech University. In 2013, she became the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development.

Academic Work and Research

Vickie Sutton is known for her important research. She focuses on how law applies to new technologies and public safety.

Bioterrorism and Law

After the anthrax attacks in 2001, Vickie Sutton became a leading expert. She studied how laws could help manage public health emergencies. She also looked at how scientists are regulated in biosecurity. In 2002, she published a book called "Law and Bioterrorism."

She also wrote a book called "Law and Biotechnology" in 2007. In 2011, she published "Nanotechnology Law and Policy." This book became very popular for law students. Her book "Introduction to Emerging Technologies Law" came out in 2015.

Environmental Law

Vickie Sutton also works on environmental law. She helped create rules for wind energy projects along the Texas Gulf Coast. These rules became a model for other local governments.

Awards and Honors

Vickie Sutton has received several important awards.

In 2005, she was honored by Old Dominion University. They recognized her as a Distinguished Alumni for her work in government.

She received the Paul Whitfield Horn Professorship. This is the highest honor for a professor at Texas Tech University. It recognizes her important research that is known around the world.

In 2010, President Obama mentioned her research in a press release. He cited her work when talking about reviewing government programs.