As a child, Mia “Maya” DeBruyne had a passion for the natural world. She was fascinated by spending hours alone playing with sand and rocks, picking wild flowers and berries, or catching minnows and crayfish in Northern Minnesota. After high school graduation, Professor DeBruyne studied for a Bachelor of Science in Civil/Environmental Engineering at Michigan Technological University followed by a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Colorado School of Mines. Professor DeBruyne had aspirations to save the world from pollution by working as an environmental design engineer with Williams and Works Inc in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was responsible for designing wastewater and water treatment plants and facilitating storm water runoff studies with Grand Valley State University until becoming a stay-at-home mom to three children. Today, Professor DeBruyne enjoys bringing her passion for the natural world into the classroom by teaching science and engineering courses at Oklahoma City Community College.