Staff

Barry K. Logan, PhD, F-ABFT

Dr. Barry K. Logan is Vice President of Forensic Science Initiatives, and Chief of Forensic Toxicology at NMS Labs in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, where his responsibilities include management of toxicology resources, new test design and development, and expert testimony in forensic toxicology and chemistry.

Dr. Logan is a Fellow of the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists (ABFT), and has over one hundred (100) publications and four hundred (400) presentations in forensic toxicology and analytical chemistry, including work on the effects of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana on drivers, drug caused and related death.

His recent work has focused on the analytical and interpretive toxicology of emerging recreational and designer drugs.

Dr. Logan’s other appointments include Executive Director of the Robert F. Borkenstein course at Indiana University, and Executive Director at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) at the Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation in suburban Philadelphia.   He holds academic appointments at Indiana University, Arcadia University and Thomas Jefferson University.

In recognition of his work and contributions, Dr. Logan has received numerous national and International awards, and in 2013-14 served as President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).

Heather McKiernan, MSFS

Heather E. McKiernan (Mazzanti) is an experienced forensic researcher and practitioner with over ten 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 Master’s 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.  In this role, she has developed partnerships between the Center and other local universities to provide professional science master’s degree options in forensic science, both at Temple University through their PSM in Forensic Chemistry and at Thomas Jefferson University through their PSM in Forensic Toxicology, where she currently serves as Assistant Program Director.  Ms. McKiernan’s responsibilities also include developing continuing education courses for forensic science professionals and the legal community.

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 genetic profiling of challenging sample types.  Her research interests include novel approaches to serological identification and improving methods for the collection and detection of low template 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

Amanda L.A. Mohr is a graduate of The University of Montana graduating with dual degrees in in Human Biological Sciences and Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. She then obtained a Masters of Science in Forensic Science from Arcadia University focusing on detection of novel recreational drugs in alternative matrices through her research entitled, “Method Development and Validation for the Detection of 2C-E in Oral Fluid.”

Currently, Mandi serves as a Forensic Scientist II at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education.  In this role, Mandi works on variety of analytical projects associated with toxicology samples, teaches graduate students on analytical and instrumental toxicology lab, serves as co-principle investigation on grant-funded research and oversees the G John DiGregorio Summer Science Program.  Mandi maintains an active research agenda and is funded through the National Institute of Justice.  Her current research interests include method development for the identification and prevalence determination of novel psychoactive substances, oral fluid drug testing, and drug impaired driving.  In recognition of the advancements she has made to the field of forensic toxicology through research, Mandi was awarded the Forensic Sciences Foundation Student Scholarship Award by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 2013.

Melissa Friscia, MSFS

Melissa Friscia is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Chemistry. She then obtained a Master’s degree in forensic science from Arcadia University focusing on toxicology through research entitled “Method Development for the Detection of Misoprostolic Acid using UPLC/MS/MS”.

Currently, Melissa serves as a Laboratory Support Scientist at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education.  In this role, she is responsible for all the ordering and maintenance of analytical instrumentation. She is also involved in the teaching and organization of the laboratory component of the Instrumental Analysis courses and the Forensic Chemistry Internship.  Melissa maintains an active research agenda and is funded through the National Institute of Justice.  Her current research interests include new emerging drugs of abuse.  In recognition of the advancements she has made to the field of forensic toxicology through research Melissa was awarded “Toxicology Best Poster Award” at the 2016 American Academy of Forensic Sciences Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada for her poster entitled “Development and Validation of a Confirmatory Method for Six Novel Psychoactive Substances in Whole Blood using UPLC/MS/MS”.

Kevin Legg, PhD

Dr. Kevin Legg earned a B.S. degree in Bioinformatics and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Denver. His early work focused on the development of software applications to process large scale proteomics and genomics data. Dr. Legg’s dissertation research focused on applying comparative proteomics techniques to forensic serology. While in school, Dr. Legg was awarded several grants and awards including the Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Institute of Justice.

Dr Legg currently serves as a research scientist at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education. In this role, Dr. Legg is responsible for the management of several research projects as well as advising graduate students.  His current research interests focus on applying large molecule mass spectrometry to forensic science. This includes the ongoing work in forensic serology as well as applications in toxicology. Dr. Legg’s research has received funding through the National Institute of Justice as well as the Department of Defense.

Chelsea Opperman

Chelsea Opperman is a graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in Speech Communication and a minor in Media Studies. Since then, she has gone into fields such as human resources, media buying, marketing, and global customer service.  She was awarded the President's Award from Bercen, Inc. in Denham Springs, LA in 2014 for excellence in customer service and logistics planning.

Currently, Chelsea serves as the Course and Foundation Administrator at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education.  In this role, Chelsea is responsible for website management, course registration and speaker organization, event planning, customer service, and general administration duties including fielding questions and concerns for the Center and the Foundation.

Brandon Presley

Brandon C. Presley is a graduate of Temple University graduating with a degree in Chemistry. He is currently enrolled in a PhD program in Analytical Chemistry at Temple University focusing on the designer drug class know as synthetic cannabinoids through research on the metabolism and toxicological analysis of these compounds and chromatographic modeling using theoretical chemistry software.

Currently, Presley serves as the Outreach Officer at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education.  In this role, he visits local high schools and universities to promote research and careers in forensic science. He has served a number of years recruiting students for the G. John DiGregorio Summer Science Program. Presley also maintains an active research agenda and is funded through Temple University and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). His current research interests include the metabolism and analysis of drug molecules in biological matrices as well as determining quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and retention relationships (QSRR) of various drug classes. In recognition of his contributions and achievements, Presley was awarded the Future Faculty Fellowship and several research grants from Temple University, several service awards from NMS Labs, and a research recognition award from the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives.

Alex Krotulski, MSFS

Alex is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. He then obtained a Master’s degree in Forensic Science from Arcadia University focusing in forensic toxicology through research with method development and validation for THC from blood and oral fluid.

Currently, Alex serves as a Research Scientist I at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education.  In this role, Alex is involved in method development and validation for our platforms involving working with novel psychoactive substances. Alex is currently working with the Sciex TripleTOF ® 5600+ for method development involving drug screening in blood, urine, and oral fluid. Alex also helps with graduate courses involving instrumentation and analysis using our various state-of-the-art instrumental platforms. Alex maintains an active research agenda and is funded through the National Institute of Justice.  His current research interests include novel instrumental platforms and techniques for the identification and analysis of substance within toxicological matrices.

Catherine Brown, MSFS

Catherine Brown is a graduate of Arcadia University graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. Catherine then obtained a master’s degree in Forensic Science from Arcadia University, focusing on forensic biology through research in protein mass-spec applications for seminal fluid detection. In recognition of the academic achievements Catherine had made in the graduate program, she was awarded the Fredric Rieders Award for Excellence in Forensic Science.   Currently, Catherine is working towards her doctoral degree at the University of Denver.

Catherine serves as a Research Technician at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education. In this role, Catherine is responsible for the execution of analytical research, the assistance of laboratory-based academic courses, the mentoring of graduate students on lab course assignments and assisting with the offering of professional development courses through the Center.  Catherine’s research interests include advancements in body fluid identification. She is currently working on a research project in this area funded by the Department of Defense and she has presented her work at multiple professional organizations including the American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual meeting.

Heather Milnthorp. MSFS

Heather is a graduate of The George Washington University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She then obtained a Master’s of Science in Forensic Science degree in forensic molecular biology from The George Washington University focusing on the effects of copper degradation upon DNA recovery from unfired bullet cartridges through research in conjunction with the University and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Currently, Heather serves as a Research Assistant at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education.  In this role, Heather is responsible for the execution of analytical research on the Center’s ballistics’ grant.  Heather maintains an active research agenda and is funded through the National Institute of Justice.  Her current research interests include optimization of existing recovery and extraction methodologies for challenging samples as well as transitioning from capillary electrophoresis to Next Generation Sequencing platforms.  Heather recently became certified as a molecular biology technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathology.

Shana Hogg, PhD

Dr. Shana Hogg earned B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Forensic Science from the University of New Haven where she was a John Hatfield Scholar. After completion of her undergraduate studies and research, she began her graduate education at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where she was named a Rackham Merit Fellow for the duration of her studies. Her dissertation research focused on the rational design, synthesis, and evaluation of small molecule and peptidomimetic inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases. This work aimed to better understand the inhibitor-enzyme interaction within the substrate pocket of the c-Src kinase. Following the completion of her doctoral degree, Dr. Hogg served as a drug chemist for Dallas County’s Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences. There she analyzed submitted drug evidence for the presence or absence of controlled substances.

Currently, Dr. Hogg serves as a Forensic Scientist III at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education. In this role, she is responsible for delivering lectures and laboratory courses focusing on forensic chemistry. She will also assist with the development of continuing education courses as well as certificate programs in forensic chemistry. Additionally, Dr. Hogg will develop and run a research program in forensic chemistry.

Steven Weng

Steve is a graduate of Rider University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.  He has over 20 years of experience in business, finance, and accounting.  Since 2011 he has been a member of his local volunteer fire company, serving as Treasurer since 2014.  He won the President’s Award in 2016 in recognition of his time and commitment to the fire service.

Currently, Steve serves as the Staff Accountant at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education.  In this role, Steve is responsible for budgets, payables, receivables, grants, and whatever else is needed on the financial side of the Foundation.

David Buzby

David Buzby is a graduate of West Chester University of West Chester, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Chemistry. David has a diverse background in forensic toxicology that includes fifteen years of post mortem, DUI, and sexual assault case work. Most recently David was an Analyst for NMS Labs where he was involved in the identification and analysis of new emerging drugs including U-47700 and numerous fentanyl analogs.  David has presented on identification efforts and emerging drug trends at SOFT in 2014 and AAFS in 2016. David is also a diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (D-ABFT-FT).

Currently, David serves as a Forensic Scientist II at the Center for Forensic Research & Education. In this role, David is involved with method development and validations of various research projects.