Christine DiRie came to the College of Nursing in 2011 when she graduated with her Master's degree as a nurse educator. She practiced nursing for twenty-five years throughout St. Louis County in medical surgical units, intensive care units, recovery rooms, home health, internist office, and finally in labor and delivery. She obtained her ADN from SLCC at Florissant Valley and her BSN from Maryville University. She began teaching full time in the baccalaureate nursing program at UMSL in January 2012. She helps students learn in the lab through obstetrical simulation as well as teaching maternal newborn theory. She also assists students in fundamental and maternal newborn courses. She is presently working on attaining a PhD in nursing. Her research interests include increasing prenatal care in the community as well as the effects of stress on practicing nurses. In spring 2018, she will be a co-investigator with the primary investigators Drs. Kathie Records and Michelle Andipatin on Project HOPE (Healthy Outcomes during Pregnancy for Everyone) in Capetown, South Africa. She is also on the selection committee for the March of Dimes, Nurse of the Year celebration.