Hi! I'm Nicky Hardy! I am a scientist, mom, and community volunteer. I was born and raised in West Central Minnesota in the community of Perham, but since have lived in eight other states before coming full circle back to Minnesota to raise a family. Having lived in so many different places, my spouse and I had a good idea of what we wanted for our family and Minnesota checked all the boxes. We are so excited to call Pequot Lakes home and love raising our children in lake country.
While growing up, I was one of those kids who probably watched a bit too much Bill Nye the Science Guy, because from a very early age, I was determined to end up in the sciences. I set out on that dream and earned my B.A. in Biology and Chemistry with a minor in psychology from MSU Moorhead (Go Dragons!). I followed that with a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE (Go Big Red!) for my work in using mass spectrometry to understand the immune system in health and disease. I was then recruited to Northwestern University to continue my work in mass spectrometry and the immune system. After my postdoc, I stepped away from the sciences to join my husband on the road and support him in his career, and then to raise our kids. Even though I am no longer in the laboratory, my love of science hasn't gone anywhere!
These days, I spend my time parenting and out in the community. I substitute teach from PreK to 12, lead water aerobics classes, and volunteer with several organizations, including the Crow Wing County Master Gardeners, the Pequot Lakes Community Library, Community Action of Pequot Lakes, American Association of University Women, and the PTA. When I was little, I learned to look for the helpers; now I enjoy being one of the helpers. My commitment to service and volunteerism as well as the friends I've made in this journey inspired my motto: Do good. I hope it reminds you to live your best life and give to your community, too.
I am running for House District 6B because I want our communities to continue to be a premier place to live, visit, and play. I want practical solutions that make life better for rural Minnesotans. I will take an evidence-based approach to public service: Identify the problem, test solutions, implement what works, and communicate those results clearly to the people that matter most -- you! Let's make sure Minnesota stays a place that we can enjoy today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
Nicky graduated with a Ph.D. from the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha (2014)
Nicky, the biomedical scientist
Nicky and Blaine
The Hardy Family
