Dr. Fixel completed her Ph.D. in August 2007 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  Her dissertation focused on modeling hot carrier effects in nanoscale metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors using a kinetic simulation technique.  Upon completion of her Ph.D., Dr. Fixel worked as a Contract Associate at Sandia National Laboratories for nearly six years, where she developed computer code for an in-house semiconductor device simulation tool.

Following this time, Dr. Fixel spent two years teaching as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Lafayette College in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.  At Lafayette College, Dr. Fixel taught courses in analog circuits, semiconductor device physics and electromagnetics.

Dr. Fixel's philosophy towards teaching includes inspiring, encouraging and challenging the students to grow and accomplish more than they thought they could.  She believes in cultivating a theoretical foundation that relates to real-world applications.