Laura’s background is math. She earned an MSc in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computation at Oxford shortly after giving birth to her first daughter in 2008. Over the years her focus shifted to philosophy. She studied with Holy Apostles College and Seminary, working on an MA in Philosophy for several years until a combination of Covid and another military move shifted her life and schedule. She decided she needed to devote more time on raising her four kids. Her focus is now on writing and herbalism.
Until very recent times, people have lived in close proximity to plants. Researching, collecting, growing, harvesting, and preparing our own medicines connects us to our ancestors. Herbalism also connects us to people living around the world today. Laura is devoted to learning and teaching old ways of living and healing so they are not forgotten. She has a particular interest in monastic herbal practice.
Contact: support@newlandbotanical.com
Publications:
June 22, 2025: Albuquerque Journal Opinion: Building Strong Community is a Defense Against Misfortune.
April 15, 2024: Live and Let Live is a False Hope
October 3, 2023: Sonski Onak 2024 American Solidarity Party Blog Post: Guest Post: The Labor of Community Building
June 30, 2023: American Solidarity Party Blog Post: Communities that Eat Together Stay Together
September 25, 2021: Publication in The American Commons: Yes, Mass Transit Creates Opportunity
August 7, 2021: Publication in The American Commons: American Work Culture is Destroying the Family
May 22, 2021: Publication in The American Commons: Abortion Is Not Just a Poor Woman’s Problem
April 17, 2017: “Desert Melody”.
Lab Experience
- University of New Mexico Work in Chemistry, Biology, and Biochemistry Labs: (August 1999-2002) approximately 1020 hours
- UNM Biochemistry Department Breast Cancer Research: Received undergraduate grant to conduct breast cancer research. (Summer 2002)
Continuing Education
- Materia Medica, Medicine Making, and Nutrition Education: Approximately 250 hours
- Wellness and Pain Coaching: 45 hours
- Breastfeeding and Birth Work Education: Approximately 83 hours
Other Formal Education
- Holy Apostles College and Seminary: graduate level ethics course (2023)
- National Catholic Bioethics Center: Two-day seminar: Catholic Health Care Ethics: A Tradition of Compassion and Care for the Human Person (2021)
- University of Oxford: MSc in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computation (2008)
- University of Colorado at Boulder: BA in Pure Math (2004)
- University of New Mexico: 2 biology courses, 8 chemistry courses including organic, quantitative analysis, and physical chemistry, 1 biochemistry class, 2 anthropology courses including cultures of the world. (1999-2003)
Parenting, Accompanying, Coaching, and Counseling
- Community building with my elementary aged kids at local parks on 4 continents and numerous bases as we moved with the military: Approximately 4600 hours
- Prenatal and Birth Support, including work with private clients and as a UNMH Birth Companion Program Volunteer: Counseling Moms and Providing Continuous Birth Support. (Summer 2025-Current) 59 hours
- Postpartum and Breastfeeding Support, including work with private clients and as a WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert: (July 2023-present) 95 hours
- Homeless and People with Substance Use Disorder: I have experience providing perinatal support to women with SUD. (11.5 hours)
