Two Thousand Eighteen Honorees
40
UNDER FORTY
TOP 4 WINNER
Dr.Crystal E.Rapier Age: 32 Hometown: Valdosta, GA Profession: Professor/Scientist
Crystal Eunique Rapier has been a lifelong achiever; with such traits as being an explorer, a researcher, and a creator from an early age. These traits coupled with a curiosity for nature was nurtured by her father an engineer, and her mother an educator who also does genealogy and historical research. As a young person Crystal nurtured wild animals, insects, plants and sick or injured people. Continually being curious of how things functioned, how to make improvements, and how they might fit into her world. Growing up her neighbors would seek her out for every strange bug they captured, or for every stranded baby animal/bird. She kept a rock collection as well as assisted her mother in maintaining a garden. She loved to dry herbs, preserve foods, and create healthy dishes. Crystal has a strong passion for working with children and young adults. She thrives on educating others on the essence of science and how essential it is to every day living.
Her hobbies are photography, painting, knitting, and baking. She also enjoys dancing and making discoveries in a scientific lab. Crystal is currently an Adjunct Professor of Microbiology and Biology at Georgia Military College. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Georgia| Athens, GA in August 2007; A Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from The University of California-Irvine| Irvine, CA December 2010 and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering March 2016 The University of California at Irvine. She has two technical publications. Crystal Rapier is a member of the Bahai’ Faith and attends the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta Georgia. Crystal is the mother of a bright and energized 5 year old daughter, Ria Grace Rapier. She has 3 siblings: Dr. Ria Gooding, Lawrence Rapier II, and Nathan Rapier. Her parents are Lawrence and Joyce Rapier. —
Risings Stars in Rural America
Above and Beyond What You Do Matters.
GetRuralLeaderMag.com | SEPTEMBER 2018 9
