Speakers

Speaker

Title

Julie Burrill, Ph.D.

Associate Researcher, Stony Brook University

Dr. Julie Burrill is Associate Researcher with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, as well as founder and principal at JB Science Consulting. She holds a Bachelors in Biology from Haverford College, a Masters in Forensic Science from the George Washington University and a PhD in Molecular Biology from King's College London. She has worked in various research and casework labs as well as Medical Examiners' offices. She served as the staff scientist at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, where she trained attorneys on a wide range of forensic science issues and prepared scientific expert witnesses for trial testimony. She conducted her PhD research into the contents of "touch" DNA deposits funded by a Fulbright Scholarship, followed by a postdoctoral appointment studying science communication. Julie has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels and develops training curricula for forensic scientists incorporating social science research and improvisational theater techniques.  

Peter M. Vallone, Ph.D.

Leader, Applied Genetics Group (NIST)

Over the last 24 years at NIST, Dr. Vallone has developed multiplex PCR assays for the detection of genetic variation, developed methods for the rapid amplification of STR loci, and has been involved in the development and characterization of nucleic acid-based reference materials. As the leader of the Applied Genetics Group at NIST since 2013, Dr. Vallone works with a team of researchers producing DNA reference materials and assessing emerging techniques such as next generation sequencing and digital PCR.  The group’s efforts provide research and training that supports the forensic DNA typing community.  Dr. Vallone is an author on over 90 peer-reviewed articles in the areas of DNA thermodynamics, human identity testing, and clinical standards. He is also a member of the International Society for Forensic Genetics and is an associate editor for the journal: Forensic Science International (FSI) Genetics.

Brian Kim

Supervising Criminalist, LAPD Serology/DNA Unit

Brian Kim is a Supervising Criminalist for the Los Angeles Police Department. Brian joined LAPD in 2011 and was assigned to the Serology DNA Unit. He has served as a DNA analyst and trainer for the DNA unit over the last five years and has worked on multiple validation projects ranging from quantitation chemistry, amplification kits, programming, and robotics. He is currently a part of the research and development team, which evaluates and implements new technology to assist in forensic DNA analysis.

Susan Greenspoon, Ph.D.

Head of the Research & Validation Team at VA Dept. of Forensic Science

Susan Greenspoon received her B.S. in biology from the University of Texas and her Ph.D. in molecular biology at Indiana University where she studied gene regulation in C. elegans. That was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan. Dr. Greenspoon then changed course and entered into forensic science.  She has been employed at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science since 2001 where she heads the research and validation team in forensic biology and performs specialized casework such as for probabilistic genotyping and relationship testing analyses.  She’s an editorial board member at FSIG, a former editorial board member of JFS, an OSAC subcommittee member, an assistant research affiliate professor at VCU, former member of the AABB relationship testing standards program unit, and a 2015 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Innovation.  

Sarah Riman, Ph.D.

Research Associate (NIST)

Sarah Riman is a Research Associate in the Applied Genetics Group. Riman's work is focused on understanding the factors that affect the measurement and interpretation of STR profiles. She will be discussing her recent project on creating a software tool that will assist forensic practitioners in designing and interpreting Forensic DNA Validation Studies.

Lauren Mullen, MSFS

Research Biologist (NIST)

Lauren Mullen has been working as a research biologist with the Applied Genetics Group since July 2024. Previously, she completed her Masters' thesis at NIST as an intern for her degree in forensic molecular biology at the George Washington University in which she developed an NGS protocol for variant allele sequencing. Additionally, Lauren has collaborated on various different projects, some of which include the evaluation of extraction efficiencies across various methodologies, as well as concordance testing with new commercial STR kits and capillary electrophoresis instruments.

Steve Lund, Ph.D.

Mathematical Statistician (NIST)

Steve Lund received his PhD in statistics from Iowa State University.  He joined NIST as a mathematical statistician in 2012 and currently leads the Evidential Statistics Focus Area and the NIST Footwear Impression Research Group.

Erica Romsos, MSFS

Research Biologist (NIST)

Erica Romsos has been a member of the Applied Genetics Group at NIST since 2009 focusing on rapid DNA testing, development and optimization of digital PCR assays, and managing the Human DNA quantitation standard.  Erica’s work in digital PCR supported the release of the next iteration of the Human DNA quantitation standard (SRM 2372a) employing digital PCR as a primary characterization method.  Her work in Standard Reference Material characterization has assisted the creation of many SRMs produced by NIST and the creation of a Research Grade Testing Material (RGTM 10235) for the forensic DNA community.  Additionally, Erica is the Leader of the Forensic Science Quality Assurance Program, supporting method testing, validation, and technology performance across the different modalities within the NIST Special Programs Office portfolio.

Jeremy Boone, MSFS

Sr. Field Application Scientist- HID

Jeremy Boone is a Senior Field Application Scientist with Thermo Fisher Scientific.  He has been with Thermo Fisher since early 2019.  Among his other duties as a Field Application Scientist, Jeremy supports forensic customers through training on new instrumentation and software, aids in troubleshooting, and provides onsite support for validation services in conjunction with the HID Professional Services team. Prior to joining Thermo Fisher Scientific, he worked at the VA Department of Forensic Science in the Richmond location as a DNA analyst for approximately 10 years.  Jeremy began his forensics career at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Forensic Science from the University of Central Oklahoma and Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from West Virginia University.  

Amber McManus

Technical Sales Manager HID & Forensics North America (Northeast) (QIAGEN)

Amber McManus is currently an HID and Forensics Technical Account Manager at QIAGEN covering the Northeast region of the United States. She has been with QIAGEN since 2015, joining the company as a Forensic Applications Scientist. Prior to joining QIAGEN, Amber spent nearly nine years at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) as an Assistant Training and Education Manager and Nuclear DNA Analyst. Amber got her start in forensics as a High Throughput DNA Analyst at Bode Technology in 2004.

Danielle Brownell

Senior Forensic Regional Account Manager, Promega

Danielle J. Brownell is a highly respected forensic DNA professional with nearly 25 years of experience in the field. As a Senior Forensic Regional Account Manager at Promega, she specializes in providing strategic solutions and support to forensic DNA laboratories. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in law, and a Business Strategy certificate from Cornell University. Prior to her current role, Danielle had an distinguished career at the New York State Police, where she served as a Senior Lab Technician, Forensic Serologist, Forensic DNA Analyst, and Forensic DNA Automation and Validation Supervisor. Her experience in forensic laboratory operations provides her with a deep understanding of the challenges laboratories face in delivering accurate and efficient results. Known for her professionalism, positivity, and dedication, Danielle has built a reputation as a trusted advisor in the forensic community.

Kevin Kiesler

Research Biologist (NIST)

Kevin Kiesler has worked as a Research Biologist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) since September of 2011. His research at NIST has focused on characterizing the performance of commercial kits and providing reference materials for measurement assurance in the use of next generation sequencing for human identification applications in the U.S. legal system. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a Professional Science Master’s in applied biosciences, both from the University of Arizona. Prior to NIST, Kevin held R&D positions in two private sector companies developing genome measurement platforms, the University of Arizona’s Genomics Core (a full-service high throughput genomics facility), and an academic Biochemistry laboratory engineering and purifying proteins. His career focus on genetic measurement technologies adds to the core competencies of the Applied Genetics Group at NIST.