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CANTERBURY – THE APPLICATION OF ideas to the realities of the physical world has been going on ever since the wheel was invented and changed human history.

And that fascination with the creation of innovative devices that embody some new application of basic scientific principles is the motivating force underlying the work of Michelle "Shelly" Temple, intellectual property counsel for DEKA Research and Development Corp. of Manchester.

Her original career path, which saw her earn degrees in biochemistry and biophysics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, changed when she felt that the long and laborious hours of conducting controlled experiments didn't provide the kind of intellectual stimulation she had expected.

"I really liked designing things and working on projects. But I knew I was going to get bored doing the same thing over and over again. That's when I decided to become a patent attorney," said Temple.

With her scientific and engineering background providing the underpinning, she switched to intellectual property law and studied at one of the world's leading institutions in that discipline, the Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord.

Now she's involved in obtaining patents which will protect the work that's ongoing at DEKA Research, founded by Dean Kamen, who before he had ever graduated from college had invented the insulin pump and soon was making his mark with other inventions in the medical field, as well as the Segway personal transporter.

Temple said other projects under way at DEKA include robotics arms for amputees and a low-cost system using basic scientific principles which could bring clean water to half of the world's population now living with dirty and polluted water as an everyday reality.

"It's a wonderful project," said Temple, 33, who is a member of the board of directors of the Vesta Roy Excellence in Public Service Series; chairs the Intellectual Property Section of the New Hampshire Bar Association; and is on the advisory board for the Young Inventors' Program of New Hampshire.

Her favorite place in New Hampshire is Cannon Mountain, where she and her husband, Donald, ski. She also likes playing tennis and mountain biking.

Age: 33

Hometown: Canterbury

Birthplace: Stoughton, MA

Family: Husband, Donald L. Temple II; cat, Harriet

High school: Stoughton High School, Stoughton, Mass.

College/post-graduate degrees: B.S., biochemistry and biophysics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y.; J.D., Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord

Current job: Senior Intellectual Property Counsel, DEKA Research & Development Corp., Manchester

Key Past positions held: Associate, Devine Millimet and Branch, P.A., Manchester; adjunct professor of law, Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord

Volunteer activities: Member of the board of directors of the Vesta Roy Excellence in Public Service Series; chair of the Intellectual Property Section of the New Hampshire Bar Association; advisory board member for the Young Inventors' Program of New Hampshire; member of the Young Lawyers' Committee of the American Intellectual Property Law Association

Most admired person (outside your family): Arnold Schwarzenegger

Key current professional challenge: Maintaining balance between professional and family life

Last major achievement: Graduate of the Vesta Roy Excellence in Public Service Series

Two peers who know you well: Hannah Sullivan, attorney, Hinckley Allen and Snyder, Concord; Abigail Sykas, vice president of fund development, Havenwood-Heritage Heights, Concord

Biggest problem facing New Hampshire: The "brain drain" keeping those who are educated in New Hampshire working in New Hampshire.

Favorite place in New Hampshire: Cannon Mountain

What book are you reading now? "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" by Walter Isaacson

How do you relax? Alpine skiing, tennis, mountain biking

What Web sites do you visit most often? United States Patent and Trademark Office (www.USPTO.gov); Intellectual Property Organization (www.ipo.org)

Favorite TV show, radio station or musical artist: Talk radio 96.9