Ms Starz leads the Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section, which supports Member States starting nuclear power programmes. Since joining the IAEA in 2008, she has led efforts to develop integrated assistance packages for "newcomers," established the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review service, and has participated in many missions to Member States. Prior to joining the IAEA, Ms Starz worked in a diplomatic capacity as a science attaché in the US Permanent Mission to UN Organizations in Vienna, where she was involved in issues such as reliable access to nuclear fuel, HEU minimization, and nuclear power infrastructure development. She came to Vienna with more than 10 years' experience as a senior policy advisor in the U.S. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration, in the areas of nuclear energy, nuclear security and non-proliferation. Ms Starz holds a Master's degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.