Faculty and Staff
The Master of Science in Forensic Science program faculty consists of full-time and part-time professors trained in various fields of forensic science and medicine. This includes DNA analysis, forensic law, pattern evidence, forensic medicine, medical toxicology, chemistry, biology, anthropology, homicide and medico-legal death investigation.
Associate Professor; Chemistry and Graduate Seminar
Department: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
Research Interests: mentoring; investigating the presence of potential pesticides in a variety of tropical fruits
Associate Professor & Director of Curricular Innovation and Student Success
Department: Neurobiology & Anatomy
Research Interests: medical education in microanatomy and cell biology; active and remote learning; community-based learning; axon growth and guidance
Samantha Cox, PhD
Anthropology and Osteology
Penn Museum
Research Interests: bio-anthropology of ancient human bones
Safia Dias, MLS
Academic Administrator, Forensic Science and ICO Programs
Department: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
Assistant Professor
Department: Otolaryngology
Research Interests: using auditory and vestibular hair cells as models of information processing in the nervous system
Ja’Neisha Hutley, MS
Forensic DNA Specialist
Philadelphia Forensic Science Lab
Research Interests: serology and dna applications in forensic science
Associate Professor; Director, Pre-medical and Pre-health Programs; Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Department: Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Research Interests: molecular biology and biochemistry
Christopher Miller, Esq.
Assistant District Attorney
Lancaster County, Pa.
Lisa Mundy, MS
Toxicologist
Philadelphia Medical Examiner Office
Indira Purushothaman, PhD Candidate
Anatomist–Human Structure
The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pa.
Ralph Riviello, MD*, MS
Professor and Chair
Department: Emergency Medicine, UT Health San Antonio
Research Interests: emergency forensic science, Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center Founder
Director, Forensic Science Program; Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Technology
Department: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
Research Interests: utilizing nociceptin (NOP) research as a tool for educating forensic students, senescence and its implications in cell death, assessment of trauma to bone, improving technology for assessing hazards for first responders, and creating a pathway for more precise DNA testing
Edward Schikel, MBA, CSA
Crime Scene Investigator, Forensic Detective
Montgomery County, Pa.
David Vearrier, MD*, MPH, FACMT, FAACT, FAAEM
Professor of Emergency Medicine, Medical Toxicologist
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Adjunct Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Department: Emergency Medicine
Research Interests: Adverse health effects associated with low-level environmental exposures utilizing large-scale population-based databases. These include the effects of low-level uranium and phthalates and human health effects.
Khalil Wardak, MD*, ME
Associate Medical Examiner
Philadelphia Medical Examiner Office
Research Interests: fetal, infant mortality and drowning prevention; hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT1) gene with possible associated risk of suicide, Lesch-Nyhan disease
Amanda White, PhD
Anatomist; Anatomy Lab; Human Structure
Cooper Medical Center of Rowan University
Samuel Yim
Assistant Chief Counsel
Office of Principal Legal Advisor, Homeland Security
* Physician's practice is independent of Drexel Medicine and Drexel University.