Archived Seminars
The Forensic Science Program at Loyola aims to introduce students to a broad range of forensic-related topics and prepare them for careers in a variety of settings. We host a Forensic Expert Seminar Series to expand student exposure beyond their coursework. Speakers are experts in their respective forensic disciplines and related fields. Topics range from forensic research to case studies, from expert witness testimony to opioid deaths and other current events. See below for a selection of past seminars.
To request further information please email Wendy Gruhl.
2024
LUC Forensic Science Alumni Panel!
October 17, 2024
Amy Blencowe
Class of 2020
Strategic Communications Fellow | Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Nathaly Izquierdo
Class of 2020
Forensic Biology Technician | Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory
Lorena Ramos
Class of 2021
Anatomic Pathology Technician | University of Chicago Medicine
Genevieve Dominick
Class of 2022
Chemist/Initial Laboratory Certifying Official (ILCO) | US Navy Drug Screening Laboratory
Alexandra (Alex) Kurm
Class of 2023
Operational Support Technician | FBI
Christopher S. Palenik, PhD
Senior Research Microscopist and Vice President
Microtrace, LLC | Elgin, IL
Topic: Microscopic Traces: Solving Real World Problems with Science
April 17, 2024
2023
Jillian A. Baker & Claire Dragovich
Chemistry Supervisor and Drug Chemistry Technical Leader & Laboratory Director and Quality Manager | DuPage County Forensic Science Center | Wheaton, IL
Topic: Inside the DuPage County Forensic Science Center
November 16, 2023
Jeff Tarr & Nicholas Schlereth
Special Agents | US Secret Service | Chicago Field Office | Chicago, IL
Topic: Criminal Investigations and Mission Support
April 20, 2023
Mary McMillin
Loyola University Chicago Forensic Science Alum!
Research Specialist | University of Chicago | DFI Host-Microbe Metabolomics Facility | Chicago, IL
Topic: An Overview of Mass Spectrometry-based Metabolomics for the Gut Microbiome
March 30, 2023
Fredericka M. Laux
Senior Forensic Chemist | Drug Enforcement Administration, North Central Laboratory | Chicago, IL
Topic: Current Trends in Clandestine Drug Laboratory Investigations: Challenges for Forensic Chemists and Special Agents
March 16, 2023
2022
Todd Reeves
Technical Surveillance Specialist | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives | Chicago, IL
Topic: Forensic Photography in the Digital Age
Nov 17, 2022
Kasey Kaufmann
Loyola University Chicago Forensic Science Alum!
Wyoming Department of Public Safety | Wyoming, MI
Topic: Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigation - No, It's Not Like TV
October 14, 2022
Delia Avram
Loyola University Chicago Forensic Science Alum!
Cook County Medical Examiner's Office | Chicago, IL
Topic: What a Medical Examiner's Office is Like - Cook County Edition
Feb 10, 2022
2021
Kevin Latman, MS
US Defense Threat Reduction Agency | Washington, DC
Topic: From Forensics to Force Protection: Careers in National Security
March 25, 2021
Anne Grauer, PhD
Professor and Chair | Anthropology Department | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL
Topic: Dead Bodies Do Tell Tales
Feb 18, 2021
2020
Brendan Max
Chief, Forensic Science Division at Cook County Public Defender Office | Chicago, IL
Topic: Forensic Evidence in the Criminal Justice System: Where are We and Where do We Need to Go?
November 19, 2020
2019
Amy Racines
Loyola University Chicago Forensic Science Alum!
Positive Certifying Scientist | U.S. Drug Testing Laboratories | Des Plaines, IL
Topic: Toxicology Analysis in the Private Sector
2018
Jim Crotty
Group Supervisor | Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Field Division | Chicago, IL
Topic: DEA Investigations into Drug Cryptomarket Operations
Amy Watroba
Assistant State’s Attorney - Forensic Science Unit | Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office | Chicago, IL
Topic: Forensic Science and the Law: Deconvoluting the Mixture
Nelson A. Santos, MPA
Deputy Assistant Administrator | US Drug Enforcement Administration – Washington, DC
Topic: The DEA Laboratory System
2017
Deborah Zvosec, PhD
Research Associate - Hennepin County Medical Center and Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation | Minneapolis, MN
Topic: Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault: A Case-based Presentation of Clinical, Toxicological and Legal Perspectives
Michael L. Van Linn, PhD
Drug Science Specialist - Diversion Control | U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington, D.C.
Topic: DEA's Regulatory Response to the Evolving New Psychoactive Substance Market
2016
Ponni Arunkumar, MD
Interim Chief Medical Examiner | Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office | Chicago, IL
Topic: Forensic Pathology and the Recent Rise in Opioid Overdose Deaths in Cook County
Kara Stefanson
DNA Resource Specialist - Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office | Chicago, IL
Topic: Forensic Biology and DNA Analysis
Laura A. Ciolino, PhD
Forensic Chemist – US Food and Drug Administration Forensic Chemistry Center | Cincinnati, OH
Topic: Marijuana Substitutes: Plant Materials Laced with Synthetic Cannabinoids
Will Taylor
DEA Special Agent
Topic: Clandestine Drug Laboratory Investigations: From Methamphetamine to Fentanyl and the Associated Challenges for Forensic Chemists and Law Enforcement
Patrick J. O’Dea
Field Intelligence Manager – US Drug Enforcement Administration | Chicago, IL
Topic: DEA Analysis Punching Above Our Weight: Managing Increased Responsibilities with Diminishing Resources
John T. Dziedzic
Director - Federal Bureau of Investigation Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory | Chicago, IL
Topic: Digital Evidence Forensics and the Chicago Regional Computer Forensics Program
2015
Kevin J. Powers, J.D.
DEA Division Counsel
Topic: Forensic Chemists and Expert Testimony in Criminal Trials
*Updated 15 June 2026
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