After a successful career in engineering, Debra earned her doctorate in mathematics. Her area of interest, graph theory, has numerous applications in networks and computing and her research in the field has resulted in publication of the paper "Building Fences Around the Chromatic Coefficients," (Journal of Graph Theory, Vol 26, #3). Debra serves as a valuable technical resource and has contributed to projects in encryption and security.

Starting as an adjunct math faculty member in 1998, Debra is currently the Coordinator of Learning Assistance for Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire.