Welcome Craig McGill!
The forensic science degree program would like to welcome Craig McGill, our new Academic Adviser. Craig is currently housed in the Beadle Center. Look to meet Craig over the next few weeks, as he will be visiting some classes.
We will update this page and the Contact page once he gets settled in with a phone number and email address.
We are excited to have you on board Craig!
26 October 2009
Forensic Science Faculty Make Trips to Nigeria
Larry Barksdale, David Carter, Leon Higley, and Karl Reinhard recently made trips to Lagos, Nigeria to contribute to coursework and workshops in forensic science. These trips were associated with UNL's partnership with the Lagos State University College of Medicine. Read the Daily Nebraskan story here.
12 October 2009
Forensic Science Program Seeks Assistant Professor
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), through the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, seeks applications to fill a 9-month, tenure-track teaching (60%) and research (40%) position at the Assistant Professor rank in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (http://casnr.unl.edu). The successful candidate will support the interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program in Forensic Science (http://forensicscience.unl.edu) from a variety of academic units depending on the training of the individual (e.g., Dept of Entomology, http://entomology.unl.edu, Dept of Biochemistry, http://biochem.unl.edu, or Dept of Food Science and Technology, http://foodsci.unl.edu).
Teaching responsibilities include courses in forensic biology and participation in another class such as elements of biochemistry that is required for students in the Forensic Biology option. Contribution to undergraduate student recruitment, advising, assessment, and outreach is expected. Opportunities will exist for participation in undergraduate research, distance education, international activities, and graduate advising.
Research will be on forensically important DNA including human DNA analysis with collaborating faculty in the home department(s). Publications in refereed journals, presentations at scientific meetings, and advising/supervision of graduate students are also expected. Contributions to other multidisciplinary programs such as the Core for Applied Genomics and Ecology, Gut Function Initiative and Stress Biology are encouraged.
PhD or equivalent in biochemistry, molecular biology, or related field required. Should show experience and commitment to research and teaching, have strong communication skills, ability to bring in extramural funding, and an interest and desire to work cooperatively on multi-disciplinary projects.
Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University of Nebraska offers a benefits package that makes available group life, health, and disability insurance and family coverage programs to the employee; TIAA/CREF and/or Fidelity Investment Fund retirement plans; excellent vacation and sick leave plans; and staff and dependent tuition remission.
Go to http://employment.unl.edu. Search for requisition #090461 and complete the faculty/academic administrative information form. Attach a letter of application and curriculum vitae. In the ‘other’ category include two personal statements describing research and teaching interests. Three letters of reference to be emailed by October 5 2009, to: forensicchair@unl.edu. For questions position contact the Search Chair, Dr. John Markwell, Biochemistry, N234 BEAD, Lincoln, NE 68588-0664, 402-472-2924, jmarkwell2@unl.edu. Screening of applicants will begin on October 5, 2009, and continue until the position has been filled or the search is closed.
21 August 2009
Forensic Science Student Wins Poster Prize!
Jason Hustedt, forensic science student enrolled in the forensic biology option, was awarded a poster prize at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Fair.
The title of Jason's poster is "Assessment of an Acid Digestion method for the Isolation of Diatom Frustules from Bone Marrow" and his research investigated the possibility of using digested bone marrow as a specimen to determine the manner of death in suspected drowning cases was brought to our attention. Numerous different methods were attempted to find a way to safely digest the bone marrow without unintended reactions occurring.
The purpose of these experiments was to improve an existing method for the detection of diatom frustules in bone marrow from suspected drowning victims. After attempting numerous different methods it was concluded that the digestion of bone marrow samples alone was not worth the extra effort. Tissues that contain less lipid than bone marrow are now being pursued as a digestion source.
Congratulations Jason! We are eager to see your future accomplishments!
20 July 2009
Forensic Science Student Wins Scholarship!
Tu Ha, forensic science student enrolled in the forensic biology option, has been awarded a very prestigious scholarship through the Nebraska University Pre-Admissions to the Health Sciences (NU-PATHS) program. This is an extremely competitive program that selects only two UNL students per year for guaranteed admission to the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
NU-PATHS seeks to identify academically talented University of Nebraska undergraduates with a genuine commitment to serve Nebraska communities that lack health care providers, health-related research activity, economic advantages, adequate educational opportunities, and the effective communication of medical information.
Congratulations Tu! This award is well deserved.
29 April 2009
Forensic Science Professor Wins Research Award!
David Carter, Assistant Professor of Forensic Science and Coordinator of the forensic science degree program, has been selected to receive the UNL Chapter of Sigma Xi's 2009 Outstanding Young Scientist Award. This award is given in recognition of excellence in research and research-related activities. Specifically, Dr. Carter was recognized for novel contributions to forensic taphonomy, which includes using corpse decomposition to estimate time since death and locate clandestine graves.
"This is an incredible honor for the degree program. Research is inextricably related to teaching here in CASNR, so this award is evidence that we are providing high level research to help drive all of the new forensic science courses we are developing.", said Dr. Carter. "After all, building a degree program is not strictly about developing new classes, it is also about establishing ourselves among our peer forensic scientists. This award goes a long way toward accomplishing that.".
Dr. Carter continued to elaborate on the stengths of IANR and CASNR, "Let me be very clear about this, while this award recognizes my research achievements, they would not be recognizable without the high level of support and ecouragement provided by Vice Chancellor John Owens, Dean Gary Cunningham, Dean Steve Waller, Head (of Entomology) Gary Brewer, and the faculty, staff, and students that we have here.".
2 April 2009
FORS Wins Assessment Award!
The Forensic Science Degree Program was awarded a Program Excellence through Assessment, Research, and Learning (PEARL) Certificate of Achievement for Academic Year 2007-2008. This award recognizes the FORS assessment method as one of the Best Practices among all of the assessment programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
This is quite an achievement, considering that 2007-2008 was the first year of the Forensic Science Degree Program. "You can't help but be successful when you are surrounded by the students, staff, and faculty that we have here in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources." says Dr. David Carter, the Program Leader for the Forensic Science PEARL Program.
To view a list of all Best Practices, navigate to http://www.unl.edu/ous/pearl/bestpractices.shtml.
4 March 2009
Nebraska IAI Conference
The Nebraska Division of the International Association for Identification has set the dates for the 2009 Conference! The conference is 7-8 April at Euguene T. Mahoney State Park in Ashland.
Registration and Membership Forms can be downloaded at www.neiai.org.
New this year is the Social Hour, which is from 5pm-8pm on 7 April. This is a great opportunity to meet members of the regional forensic science community.
A number of law enforcement agencies will have booths at the Social Hour. At present, committed booths include Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln PD, Papillion PD, and Sarpy County Sheriff's Office. This is a good opportunity for first-hand interaction with potential employers.
We hope to see you there!
28 January 2009
Coffee Time with Carter!
Back by popular demand: Coffee Time with Carter!
This is an opportunity for you to have an informal conversation with the Coordinator of the Forensic Science Degree Program, David Carter. Topics can include forensic science, general academics, or anything else worth discussion. Students and their friends, parents, and coworkers are welcome.
Coffee Time with Carter will be on Mondays from 4-5pm in the City Union Coffee area (northwest corner of the Union) beginning Monday, 26 January.
20 January 2009
New FORS Curriculum!
The FORS curriculum has been modified to conform with the new Achievement Centered Education curriculum.
The new FORS curriculum includes 10 credits of new forensic science classes and can be viewed here.
17 December 2008
Welcome Britta!
The Forensic Science Degree Program welcomes a new Academic Advisor, Britta Osborne. Britta will be working from N236 Beadle Center. Beginning Monday, 20 October Britta will be on campus during the following hours: Monday 0800-1700, Wednesday 1300-1700, Friday 0800-1700.
We are very excited to have Britta as part of our team.
16 October 2008
New FORS Course Approved!
FORS 498/898 Special Topics in Forensic Science has been approved for offer. Please keep an eye out for classes using this code.
The Special Topics number is used for classes that may be offered only a couple of times, or offered once by a visiting scientist. It provides an opportunity for you to take advantage of learning opportunities as they arise.
6 October 2008
