Stevens has worked in the Life Sciences Division, formerly the Biology Division, since 1966. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Her work at ORNL has involved identifying eight new enzymes or proteins involved in ribonucleic acid (RNA) metabolism. All of the enzymes are highly significant in the control of gene expression in all cells.
She graduated in 1953 from Iowa State University with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. She earned her doctorate in 1958 in biochemistry from Case Western University.
Stevens' husband, Dr. Salil Niyogi, is also a member of the Life Sciences Division. They are residents of Oak Ridge and have two adult children.
ORNL, one of DOE's multiprogram national research and development facilities, is managed by Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation.