Otto holds Certified Industrial Hygienist and Certified Safety Professional designations. She earned a bachelor's degree in Biology/Chemistry from the University of Cincinnati and a master's degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Occupational Health from Marshall University.  She holds the CIH, CSP and CSHM certifications.

She has work experience with what was then the WV Department of Health as an OSHA on-site consultant, Otis Engineering Corporation as a "Safety Engineer," and as a Safety and Environmental Administrator with the Andrew Jergens Company. Prior to returning to West Virginia she worked as an industrial hygienist and safety project manager for Ohio's Bureau of Workers' Compensation.