MYCOMMUNITY
GIGI’S CUPCAKES GRAND OPENING On Friday, July 15, members of the East Lansing community welcomed the new franchised cupcake shop, Gigi’s Cupcakes, to the area from noon to 2 p.m. Sparty and the founder of the franchise, Gigi Butler made special appearances. $1 from each cupcake that was sold at the event was donated to Ele’s Place, the first 50 customers received free PF Changs appetizer cards and there were raffles and giveaways including a Kitchen Aid Mixer, Alex & Ani bracelets and more. PHOTOS BY ERIKA HODGES
Gigi Butler
Betty Lively & Dick Henderson
Gina Farhat & Gigi Butler
Debbie Rose
Melanie Kacynski, Leah Thaczyk & Kristen LaPorte
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LEADERS AT EMERGENT BIOSOLUTIONS BY LA KESHA HUDDLESTON At Emergent BioSolutions, La Kesha Huddleston is a Lab Analyst in the Quality Control, Analytical Product Testing department. Her primary responsibility is to test BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), a product manufactured in Lansing, to help ensure it meets quality standards and is safe for patients. In addition, she reviews non-conforming events, writes standard operating procedures and serves on Emergent’s 5S committee, a program that maintains organization and safety in the workplace. Huddleston, a graduate of the University of Michigan, Flint has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Following graduation, she worked for a local TV station as a receptionist and eventually became the office manager of sales. From there, she transitioned to substitute teaching.
assessed for more than 10 laboratory tests, ranging from atomic absorption to western blot. Eventually, she would like to continue her education by going back to school.
La Kesha Huddleston, Lab Analyst, Quality Control at Emergent BioSolutions.
When an opportunity became available at Emergent, Huddleston jumped at the chance to use her education.
knowledge that I learned through my education and expand it through my work at Emergent,” she said.
“Science is something I truly enjoy. I love working in the lab and seeing how various tests progress. I’m happy to have been able to take my base
She enjoys the development opportunities that Emergent provides and has participated in multiple trainings. In addition, Huddleston has been skills
Aside from the important work she does at Emergent BioSolutions, Huddleston enjoys baking, a skill she plans to pursue further. Bowling, shopping, and going to movies are all some of her favorite pastimes, as well as being active in her home community of Flint, Mich. As a global specialty biopharmaceutical company, Emergent BioSolutions develops and manufactures medical countermeasures for CBRNE threats and emerging infectious diseases. La Kesha Huddleston enjoys being able to use her degree in chemistry to ensure Emergent’s products are safe and effective. August 2016
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