Speakers

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.

Ted Hunt

TBD

Caitlin Oliver

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.

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 projects, including concordance testing with new commercial STR kits, laboratory research, and participation in the Working Group for DNA Recovery from Fired Cartridge Casings, and evaluation of extraction efficiencies across various methodologies.

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.

Jeremy Boone

Thermo Fisher Scientific

TBD

QIAGEN

Anupama Gopalakrishnan

Promega