W. Mark Dale, MBA
Director of Northeast Regional Forensic Institute
e-mail: WDale@uamail.albany.edu
http://www.albany.edu/nerfi/mark_dale.html

W. MARK DALE, M.B.A., is currently the Director of the Northeast Regional Forensics Institute at the University at Albany providing education in forensic biology.  Before his position at NERFI, he was the Inspector, in charge of the New York State Police Laboratory System and the Director of the New York City Police Department Laboratory.   Mark has also been the President of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, Chairman on the New York State Crime Laboratory Advisory Committee and member of the New York State Commission on Forensic Science.  Currently, the NERFI is providing intense “DNA Academies” for newly hired DNA scientists and professional development programs for experienced forensic scientists.
Mark received his B.A. in Biology from Florida State University and his M.B.A. from the University at Albany.

Don Orokos, Ph.D.
Instructor in Biology and
Associate Director, Forensic Molecular Biology Program
http://www.albany.edu/faculty/orokos/index.html

DONALD OROKOS, Ph.D., has been part of the teaching staff in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Albany since 1995.  He currently instructs courses in Cell and Developmental Biology.  Dr. Orokos also serves as the Associate Director for the graduate degree program in Forensic Biology at SUNY-Albany and the Operations Manager for NERFI.  He obtained his Associate of Science degree from Hudson Valley Community College in 1980, and his Bachelor of Science and a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from University at Albany.  Dr. Orokos is also a member of a number of university and departmental committees such as the Undergraduate Programs Committee, the NERFI Steering Committee, and the M.S. in Forensic Biology Program Committee.  His research interest includes cell motility and microtubule dynamics.

Laks Ananthakrishnan, M.S. is currently working toward his Ph.D. in Biology at the University at Albany.  His work involves studying gene expression changes during optic nerve regeneration in Xenopus leavis.  He is also a lecturer for NERFI.  Laks received a junior research fellowship from the Indian Institute of Agricultural Research. Laks holds a M.S. from GB Pant Agricultural University and a B.S. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, both in India.

Santhoshi Bandla, M.S. is a second year Ph.D. student in Dr. Caro-Beth Stewart’s Lab at the University at Albany researching molecular evolution of sex-determining genes in primates and now Santhoshi is a lecturer for NERFI.  She has been a teaching assistant at the University at Albany for the past three years, mentoring students in Introductory Biology and Comparative Anatomy of Chordates. Santoshi previously worked at her first graduate institution, Northeastern University, tutoring and mentoring freshmen in Human Anatomy and Physiology. At the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Santhoshi’s computational work was on a data analysis project for Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Center. Santhoshi received her B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Madras, Chennai, India and her M.S. in Bioinformatics at Northeastern University.

Jamie L. Belrose, M.S. works for NERFI as an Instructional Support Technician and lecturer and graduated from the Forensic Molecular Biology program at the University at Albany in 2005.  Previously, Jamie was employed by Taconic Biotechnology and served as both a Molecular Specialist and a Senior Laboratory Specialist until she began work at NERFI.  While at Taconic Biotechnology, Jamie developed and optimized assays to genotype genetically modified rodents.  For her summer internship required for the Forensic program at the University at Albany-SUNY, she was selected to work for the FBI Honors Internship Program in Quantico, Virginia.  There, Jamie was on the Counter Terrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit where she worked mainly with mitochondrial DNA.

Jamie received her A.S. in Math/Science from Adirondack Community College before attending the University of New Haven, where she earned her B.S. in Forensic Science.  Jamie also received an M.S. in Forensic Molecular Biology at the University at Albany.

Jessica Buckenberger, B.S., is a student Administrative Assistant for NERFI and will be starting the Forensic Molecular Biology program at the University in the fall.  During her undergraduate years, Jessica was a research assistant for two professors and gained experience working with Xenopus laevis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mice.  Her more recent laboratory endeavors as a research assistant at the Davis Heart and Lung Institute at The Ohio State University center around molecular biology, DNA and RNA.  Jessica’s work has been published recently in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology and her work with Microrna-155 is currently in press.
Jessica received her B.S. in Biology with a minor in Criminology from the Ohio State University.

John M. Butler, Ph.D.
Project Leader, Human Identity, DNA Technologies Group
Biotechnology Division, Chemical Science & Technology Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8311
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8311, USA
Email: john.butler@nist.gov
Phone: 301-975-4049 Fax: 301-975-8505

George R. Carmody, Ph.D., is a professor in the Biology Department of Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario and is the instructor for the four-day workshop on Forensic Statistical Methods at NERFI.  Dr. Carmody’s research interests include genetic variation of DNA and proteins, with respect to population differentiation, molecular evolution, and speciation; statistical and computer methods for determining genetic identity, kinship and the measurement of genetic subdivision of human populations using microsatellite (STR) loci.  He is a member of Genetics Society of America, the Statistical Society of Ottawa, is Vice-Chair for the R.C.M.P. National DNA Databank Advisory Committee, is on the N.I.J. WTC Kinship and Data Analysis Planning Panel ('KADAP'), the New York State DNA Subcommittee, Commission on Forensic Science, and is part of the Katrina Victim DNA Identification Expert Group, among others.  Dr. Carmody’s work has been published in the Journal of Forensic Science and Science to name a few.  Dr. Carmody gives statistics-based lectures throughout the United States and Canada and is often requested to testify in court.

Dr. Carmody received both his A.B. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Zoology from Columbia University.

Adam Damin, B.A., is currently pursuing an M.B.A at the University at Albany and is instrumental in the NERFI marketing campaign.  He is also an active supervisor of Chartwells on campus, where he ensures quality control of many aspects of the dining facility.  Adam was a former supervisor at the Colonial Quad dining facility on campus.   He was a Shop Steward for the Motel & Restaurant Employees and Bartenders Union Local 471, AFL-CIO.  He also volunteered for the Junior Achievement program as an economics instructor.

Adam received his B.A. in History with a minor in Political Science from the University at Albany.

Christine Gervasi, Ph.D., is currently a Research Associate at the Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology for the University of Albany and a NERFI lecturer.  Dr. Gervasi belongs to the scientific groups Sigma Delta Epsilon - Graduate Women in Science, Society for Neuroscience and American Society for Cell Biology.  Her research interests focus on developmental plasticity and regenerative capacities of axons, more specifically on how neurofilaments proteins, members of the neuronal cytoskeleton, influence axonal outgrowth, and how these proteins are regulated.  Dr. Gervasi has 7 publications in distinguished journals such as Journal of Comparative Neurology, Molecular Brain Research and Methods in Cell Biology.

Dr. Gervasi’s teaching experience includes General Biology Laboratory, Genetics, Human Physiology Laboratory and Introduction to Research Methods.  She also served as a guest lecturer in the Cellular Basis of Neuroanatomy in 2004.  She has trained undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, laboratory assistants and has supervised research for undergraduate and high school students who have won presidential and department awards for their research in the past few years.

Dr. Gervasi received both her B.S. and M.S. in Biology at Julius-Maximilians-Universität in Würzburg, Germany.  Her Ph.D. thesis from the University at Albany won the Presidential Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Award.

Kurt M. Gibbs, M.S., is pursuing his Ph.D. in Biology at the University at Albany, focusing on Molecular/Cellular/ Developmental/Neurobiology.  He is a NERFI lecturer, an adjunct professor and teaching assistant at the University at Albany, and has instructed Comparative Animal Physiology, laboratories in Comparative Anatomy and General Biology.  Kurt was given an Outstanding Teaching Assistant award for the 2004-2005 school year and belongs to the American Society for Cell Biology.  He was recently published in Brain Research for his work with spinal cord regeneration in Xenopus laevis.  Kurt received his B.S. and M.S. in Biology from the University at Albany-SUNY. He also holds an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Physical Therapy from Maria College.

Ashley M. Hart, A.B., works as a student Administrative Assistant for NERFI and will be starting the Forensic Molecular Biology graduate program at the University of Albany in the fall.  For the past two summers, she has worked in Albany for the Wadsworth Center, both at the Biggs Laboratory as a chemist aide and at the Center for Medical Science as a volunteer researcher.  Her work with the protein Spo11 has recently been published in Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 
Ashley received her B.A. in Biochemistry from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York this past spring.  While in high school, Ashley was introduced to forensic science when she participated in the New York State Police Shadow Program.

Jacki Higgins, M.F.S., is currently an independent forensic consultant and a NERFI lecturer.  She has also served as a Training Coordinator/DNA Analyst for Orchid Cellmark, a Forensic Technologist for the Chemistry Section at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Regional Laboratory in Fort Myers, FL, and a DNA Technician for the Medical Examiner at The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Rockville, MD.  Jacki was as a Team Leader at Human Genome Sciences, Inc. where she supervised and trained research associates in the sequencing laboratory.  She belongs to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in the Criminalistics Section.  Jacki has co-authored a poster presented at the 11th International Symposium on Human Identification in Biloxi, MS and has participated in numerous workshops and meetings related to forensic science and courtroom proceedings. Jacki received her Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) in Natural Science with a concentration in Chemistry from Lourdes College.  She then attended The George Washington University for a Masters in Forensic Science.

Lucy Davis Houck, B.S., acts as a consultant for forensic DNA and Quality Assurance and a NERFI lecturer.  She has worked for National Forensic Science Training Center as a technical consultant, for the Kentucky State Police Forensic Laboratory as a quality assurance supervisor, a DNA section supervisor, DNA Technical Leader and a forensic serologist.  Lucy also worked at the University of Kentucky Clinical Chemistry Laboratory University of Kentucky Medical Center as a staff technologist.  Lucy has received certification from the American Board of Criminalistics, the American Society of Clinical Pathology, the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, and is a Qualified Lead Auditor dealing with FIB quality assurance standards.  Lucy also has belong to several associations, including the College of American Pathologists Proficiency Test Review Committee, the Technical and Scientific Working Groups on DNA Analysis Methods and served as a Chairman of the Forensic Biology Section charged with drafting the certification examination on the American Board of Criminalistics.  At several conferences held by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Lucy has been a workshop instructor and is presently the Criminalistics Section Secretary.  Lucy has been published in Forensic Science Communications and in Crime Laboratory Digest for her work in quality assurance and on VNTR loci contribution to population genetics data.

Lucy received her Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Kentucky and specialized in medical technology.

Kimi Nishikawa, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral research associate at the University at Albany and a NERFI lecturer.   While pursing her Ph.D. at the University at Albany, Dr. Nishikawa taught General Biology Laboratory, Immunology and Immunology Laboratory, Human Physiology Laboratory, and Methods in Biotechnology.  She received several awards and grants while at the University at Albany, including an award for Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation, the Arvid J. and Mary A. Burke Fellowship in 2003, the University at Albany Benevolent Association Research Grant in 2003 and the American Society for Cell Biology Predoctoral Travel Award in 2002.  Dr. Nishikawa has been published in Experimental Cell Research for her work with GP38k (CHI3L1), an adhesion and migration factor for vascular cells, and she has also contributed to the American Society for Cell Biology Meetings in 2001 and 2002.

Dr. Nishikawa received her B.A. in Literature from Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY and her Ph.D. in Biology from University at Albany.

Sara M. Seepo, M.S., is an Instructional Support Technician and a lecturer at NERFI and her background is in the field of molecular evolution.  Previously, Sara has worked as a Research Support Specialist and as a teaching assistant for Anatomy, Introductory Biology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory at the University of Albany.  She has received a Teaching Assistant of the Year award along with the SUNY Benevolent Grant and the Ben V. Smith Scholarship.  Sara belongs to Sigma Xi and has coordinated the DNA sequencing facility in the University at Albany Life Sciences Research Building.

Sara received both her B.S. and M.S. at the University of Albany in Biological Sciences.

Margaret A. Terrill, M.S., works as a forensic DNA consultant, and as a lecturer for NERFI.  Previously, she was employed by Cellmark Diagnostics as a Forensic DNA Analyst.  She has attended several conferences and seminars related to DNA analysis, and presented a talk at an annual meeting of the American Association of Forensic Sciences.  Posters regarding her work with DNA extraction have been presented at the 11th International Symposium on Human Identification in Biloxi, MS and at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Seattle, WA.  Margaret is a provisional member of the Criminalistics Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Margaret received her B.S. in Biology from the State University of New York at Geneseo.  She also holds an M.S. in Forensic Science with a concentration in Criminalistics from the University of New Haven. 

Andrew A. Wist, M.S., works as a lecturer for NERFI as well as a Forensic DNA Consultant.  Andy recently retired from the Illinois State Police, Forensic Sciences Command where he served as the trainer for new state personnel in the biology section, providing training manuals and programs and evaluating equipment and methods.  Andy worked for the Illinois State Police for 30 years.  Prior to training others, Andy worked as a Biology/DNA analyst and as a Drug Analyst.  He is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Andy has also participated as a DNA Auditor and ASCLD/lab inspector. He received his B.S. in Chemistry at Willamette University and his M.S. in Forensic Science at the University of Pittsburgh.

Charlotte J. Word, Ph.D., is a forensic DNA consultant and a lecturer with NERFI.  She joined Cellmark Diagnostics in 1990 and held several managerial positions during her 15 years at Cellmark, most recently as Senior Manager, Forensics and Laboratory Director.  She has performed technical review in 1000’s of cases from her laboratory and from other laboratories and participated in validation of the various DNA test systems used at Cellmark, including RFLP testing with Hinf I and Hae III, DQA1/PM testing, D1S80, silver stained STRs, fluorescent STRs and Y STRs.  Dr. Word has testified as an expert witness in over 200 criminal and civil cases throughout the United States.  She has published and given many presentations at meetings and workshops on DNA identification and paternity testing.  From 1998-1999 she was a member of the Post-Conviction Issues Working Group of the National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence.  She has publications in the areas of molecular biology, immunology and forensic sciences. She has experience with ASCLD/LAB, NFSTC, DNA Quality Assurance Standards and ISO audits.  Charlotte is a member of the editorial board of The Journal of Forensic Sciences.

Dr. Word received her B.S. in Biology from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and her Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Virginia.  She did postdoctoral research in the areas of human and murine molecular immunology as a Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Cancer Fund Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and was a faculty member at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine prior to joining Cellmark.

Supporting Institutions

The New York Prosecutors Training Institute, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation created in 1995 by the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York. The Association, which is comprised of all of the 62 elected district attorneys, has been in existence since at least 1909. NYPTI’s mission is to provide comprehensive continuing legal education, training, advice and assistance to New York State prosecutors.  NYPTI aids NERFI during the Moot Court week training.  Moot Court Training is the capstone of the NERFI DNA Academy 12 week, 12 graduate credit hour program.  The ultimate challenge for the forensic scientist is to articulate complex scientific concepts to laymen in the jury.  Case files are prepared from the data generated by the students in the laboratory during the NERFI DNA Academy program.  Students learn how to prepare for trial with prosecutors that have real experience in the court room.  All proceedings are taped and critiqued used for a legal / scientific critique.