The 65th annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) meeting was held  Feb. 18-23 in Washington D.C. and was attended by faculty and students of Arcadia’s Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) program.

Second-year students Katie Tynon and Apisri Ieamniramit gave platform presentations on their research involving novel techniques for cannabinoids analysis, while Randi George, Jennifer Turri, Kayla Lowrie, Brittany Pasierb and Anisha Paul presented posters on their research covering a range of topics from explosives analysis and roadside drugs testing to analysis of novel compounds of toxicological interest.

Kara Bennett, Kristin Johndreau, Sarah Muller and Thomas Walsh also attended and provided moral support for their fellow classmates. “It provided a great opportunity for expanding our knowledge in the field, networking with colleagues, and discussing important research,” said Bennett.

All of the students were well received by the AAFS community and many have returned with employment offers having met prospective colleagues and friends.

The meeting was also attended by faculty members Dr. Karen Scott, Director and Associate Professor of Forensic Science, and Heather Mazzanti, Assistant Director and Assistant Professor of Forensic Science, who both chaired sessions during the meeting and by adjunct faculty Dr. Barry Logan, the newly appointed president of AAFS (see: “AAFS Recognizes Award-Winning Forensic Toxicologists of NMS Labs”). Mazzanti also was named president of the Council of Forensic Science Educators during its annual general meeting, which is held during the AAFS conference (see: “Mazzanti Named President of Council of Forensic Science Educators”).

Adjunct instructor Jill Yeakel and alumna Amanda Arntson, both of whom are now employed at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, Arcadia’s MSFS partner in Willow Grove, Pa., also attended. Both are heavily involved in the Drugs and Driving Focal Groups of the AAFS, Society of Forensic Toxicology and the National Safety Council.

The meeting was made even more special by the attendance of several alumni, who have retained employment within the field either in state or federal laboratories or as Ph.D. candidates. NMS Labs in collaboration with Agilent Technologies hosted an evening reception for Arcadia faculty, students and alumni as well as members of the Toxicology section of AAFS.