Barry K. Logan, PhD, F-ABFT

President

Dr. Barry K. Logan is a graduate of the University of Glasgow in Scotland graduating with degrees in chemistry and forensic toxicology in 1982 and 1986 respectively. He received four years postdoctoral training in forensic toxicology at the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences in Memphis. In 1990 he was appointed State Toxicologist and Assistant Professor of laboratory medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, and in 1999 he was appointed Director of the Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau for the Washington State Patrol. He served in both positions until 2008, when he joined NMS Labs in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, as National Director of Forensic and Toxicological Services. NMS Labs is an independent forensic laboratory, specializing in new drug detection and forensic analysis for the prosecution and defense in criminal justice and death investigation agencies. Dr Logan’s responsibilities include management of toxicology resources, new test design and development, quality management, and expert testimony in forensic toxicology and chemistry.

Dr. Logan is Board Certified by the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists (ABFT), and has over eighty publications in toxicology and analytical chemistry, including papers on the effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, hallucinogens and depressant drugs on drivers, and postmortem redistribution of drugs. His recent work has focused on the analytical and interpretive toxicology of emerging recreational and designer drugs. In 2002 Dr Logan was appointed Executive Director of the Robert F Borkenstein Center for Studies of Law in Action at Indiana University, hosting the Borkenstein Alcohol and Drug Courses. Since 2010, Dr. Logan has also served as Executive Director at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education at the Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation in suburban Philadelphia. The Center supports educational programs in the forensic sciences for high school and graduate students, and continuing professional education for forensic science professionals. Dr. Logan has made over 300 presentations to professional groups and conferences in the area of forensic science.

Dr Logan is a member of many professional organizations in forensic science including the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, The American Association of Crime laboratory Directors, The International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety, and the Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences.

In recognition of his work and contributions, Dr. Logan has received International Association of Forensic Toxicologists mid-career achievement award in 2004, the AAFS Rolla N. Harger Award in 2010, and National Safety Council’s Robert F. Borkenstein Award in 2011. He has served in various positions on the Board of the AAFS since 2005, and was elected President-Elect in 2012.

Heather McKiernan, MSFS

Heather E. McKiernan (Mazzanti) is an experienced forensic researcher and practitioner with over seven years of bench experience in human identification.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Bucknell University and a Master of Science in Forensic Science degree from Arcadia University where she concentrated in the areas of forensic biology and toxicology. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Denver where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology.

Prior to receiving her graduate degree, Ms. McKiernan worked as a laboratory technician at Coriell Institute for Medical Research in Camden, NJ and completed research through the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences Central Laboratory in Ewing, NJ. She began her forensics career at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education where she oversaw research projects in the areas of forensic biology and toxicology.  She then served as the Interim/Assistant Director for the Masters Program at Arcadia University for four years.  In addition to teaching the forensic biology content for the MSFS program, Ms. McKiernan was also responsible for academic degree development, serving as the architect for undergraduate degree programs in Forensic Biology and Forensic Chemistry, accelerated degree programs in Forensic Biology/Forensic Science (B.A./M.S.F.S.) and Forensic Chemistry/Forensic Science (B.A./M.S.F.S. and B.S./M.S.F.S.), a part time track in forensic science and for a course for high school teachers in forensic science.  Ms. McKiernan maintains an adjunct appointment at Arcadia University and has returned to the Center to serve as the Director of Academic Programs.

In addition to these appointments, Ms. McKiernan serves as a private forensic biology consultant and is currently an NIJ funded research scientist working in the area of forensic proteomics and body fluid identification.  Her research interests include novel approaches to serological identification and improving methods for the collection and detection of low copy number DNA samples.  Ms. McKiernan is a member of many professional organizations in forensic science including the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) and the Council of Forensic Science Educators (COFSE).  In recognition of her contributions to the field, she was elected President of COFSE in 2012.

Amanda Mohr, MSFS

Research Scientist

Mandi Mohr graduated from the University of Montana with dual degrees in Human Biological Sciences and Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. She obtained a Master of Science in Forensic Science degree from Arcadia University. Her areas of research include oral fluids, and she presented on method development and validation for the detection of 2C-E in oral fluid at the 2011 Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists and the 2nd Annual Pennsylvania Forensic Science Research Exchange. Recently, she was awarded a Forensic Sciences Foundation Student Scholarship Award and will be presenting research on oral fluid field testing devices at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting. At The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education she is continuing her research on oral fluids and is involved in student research by assisting the current graduate students in troubleshooting and providing project insight as well as being actively involved in the continuing education courses offered.

Melissa Friscia, MSFS

Research Assistant

Melissa received her Bachelor of Science Degree from York College of Pennsylvania in Forensic Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics. She obtained a Masters of Science in Forensic Science from Arcadia University. Her graduate research focused on developing a method for the analysis of Misoprostol free acid; which was presented at the Pennsylvania Forensic Science Research Exchange. At The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education she is actively working on a research grant awarded by the National Institute of Justice for the analysis of novel psychoactive substances from various biological matrixes from attendees at an electronic dance music festival.

Warren Korn

Laboratory Manager

Warren received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Widener College in 1975. During this time he did two internships at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office Toxicology Laboratory which cemented his interest in toxicology and led him to getting a job with Upjohn Clinical Laboratory in their toxicology department. Warren continued with Upjohn until 1996 during their acquisition by Smithkline Laboratories, and then again by Hahnemann Hospital. In 1998 the laboratory was sold to NMS Labs and Warren has worked for NMS and the Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation ever since.

Kevin Legg, PhD

Research Scientist

Kevin Legg earned a BS degree in Bioinformatics and is currently a doctoral student in forensic science and molecular biology at the University of Denver. Mr. Legg has specialized in the application of mass spectrometry based proteomics and bioinformatics to forensic serology. Prior to entering graduate school, Mr. Legg worked on several software development projects focused on down syndrome and cancer genomics. Currently, he is continuing his dissertation research at The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education through a research grant awarded by the National Institute of Justice.

Brandon Presley

Outreach Officer

Brandon was born and raised in North Philadelphia. He attended Abraham Lincoln High School, majoring in Environmental Technology. Brandon heard about the Forensics Mentors Institute and during the summers of 2004 and 2005 he worked on research projects there; this experience led Brandon to major in Chemistry at Temple University and he graduated in 2009. Brandon completed three separate research projects, assisted in the development of a curriculum for after school science programs and summer camps, and also received several scholarships and awards for his achievements. He is currently employed at NMS Labs in Willow Grove, PA. As the new Recruitment Coordinator for the Forensics Mentors Institute, Brandon visits Philly-area schools, meeting with faculty and students to discuss the purpose and nature of the FMI.

G. John DiGregorio, MD, PhD

In Memorium

G John DiGregorio died on Saturday July 12, 2014 leaving a legacy of scholarship, education, and mentoring that will live on in the memories and careers of the legions of people young and old that he touched in the course of his very full and vibrant life.

“Dr D”, as he was known to so many, came to us the Fredric Rieders Renaissance Foundation in 1998 to work with our founder, Dr Fredric Rieders, as the Foundation’s first Executive Director. Dr D was a full partner in shaping the mission and programs that have propelled the Foundation’s evolution from a vision, to an operating charitable foundation that continues to thrive and grow today.   In 2013, recognizing Dr. D’s particular passion for the development of young minds, the Foundation’s Board honored his overall contributions and achievements towards its mission by giving his name to the summer research program for high school students at the Forensics Mentors Institute that he helped found after him. 

Laura J. Liddicoat

Fellow

Laura Liddicoat provides toxicology support for education, training, research and other activities focused on reducing alcohol and drug impaired driving by the National Safety Council (NSC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Laura is affiliated with the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education at the Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation which provides support and direction for the Toxicology Fellowship position.

Laura received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology at the University of Wisconsin. She is a member of the National Safety Council’s Alcohol, Drugs and Impairment Division (previously known as the Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs), Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the International Association for Chemical Testing (IACT), the Joint AAFS/SOFT Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Committee, and the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX).

Previously, Laura supervised the Forensic Toxicology Section at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. As supervisor and ABFT Director of the Toxicology Lab she served as technical expert for alcohol and drug chemists, reviewed testing, reported alcohol and drug results, interpreted results and provided testimony (>800 appearances) regarding alcohol and drug pharmacology and effects on driving performance for driving under the influence trials throughout Wisconsin.