SU Forensic & National Security Sciences Institute

🎓Congratulations to the Class of 2026🎓

We are beyond proud of all our students who walked the stage at last weekend's Arts and Sciences Convocation, we're wishing you continued success in your future endeavors as SU alumni!

We would also like to recognize our Forensics Institute award winners, who were presented their awards alongside their peers and nominating faculty at a celebration held in the Life Sciences Atrium. These awards were presented to students in recognition of their academic, research and overall exceptional performance within the field of forensics.

Award winners included:
Outstanding Overall Performance in Forensic Science- Maya Medina, Anya Gramlich, Kat McKenna, Sarah Vella, and Abie Proper

Exceptional Performance in Forensic Science- Riley Smith, Amanda Feldmann, Cody Wade

Outstanding Research Achievement in Forensic Science- Cameron Brown, Taylor Walther, Logan Marshall, Kiana Garcia and Renae Daily

Outstanding Academic Achievement in MDI- Paulina Trzesniowska

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Biomedical Forensic Science- Sophia Walton

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Forensic Science- Veronica Poole, Daniela Santacruz, Madelyn Pellizzari, Lilah Effron, Taylor Stubitsch, Chidera Olalere, Kayla Pierce, and Brenna McNamara

As the semester draws to a close, we would like to recognize everyone for all of their hard work and dedication in their classes, research and internship experiences! 👏

A special congratulations goes to all of our M.S. degree candidates who presented their thesis research projects over the past few weeks. Each student participated in original research, wrote a detailed report and presented their findings to their peers. Awesome job to Nicole Menendez, Veronica Poole, Rachel Awabdeh, Maya Medina, Kiara Mackay, Daniela Santacruz, and Natalia Pedraza!

Congratulations to our forensics undergraduate seniors for presenting their Capstone research over the past two days! During a Capstone project, students formulate a research topic that bridges both forensic science and their primary major and present their findings in front of their peers and forensics faculty at one of our poster sessions. This semester's students did an awesome job and had some very unique topics!

Round two of our Advanced Research Presentations will take place this Friday (4/24) in LSB 105 from 1:00-3:15pm. Join us to hear from Daniela Santacruz, Rachel Awabdeh, Maya Medina, and Nicole Menendez.

Thank you to Matt Gamette, Idaho State Police Forensics Services Laboratory System Director, for presenting at our seminar series two weeks ago! Students were able to hear about different sources of forensics funding, learn about the National Technology Validation and Implementation Collaborative, and had some great follow-up questions.

This Friday (4/17) we kickoff round 1 of our MS Advanced Research Presentations! Join us from 1:00-2:45pm in LSB 105 to hear from Natalia Pedraza, Veronica Poole and Kiara Mackay.

This Friday (4/10) we welcome FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Jostes for our seminar series! This seminar will not only discuss the career opportunities within the FBI but will also highlight SSA Jostes' own path into the FBI, including her time on the Evidence Response Team and transition into an Agent-Profiler within the Behavioral Analysis Unit. We hope to see you there!

Last week three of our undergraduate program students presented their original research as part of the SOURCE Spring Showcase. Congratulations to Calina Clarkin, Riley Smith, and Matilda Nichols for doing an awesome job! A huge thanks to their faculty mentors Natalie Novotna and Mike Marciano for guiding them along the way.

This Friday (4/3) we are hosting Matt Gamette from the Idaho State Police Forensic Services to present at our seminar series! His presentation will cover current advocacy issues at the federal level that impact forensic science, the mission of the National Technology Validation and Implementation Collaborative, and touch on rapidly growing areas of interest within forensic science.

Join us Wednesday 4/1 from 9:30am-11:30am in Lyman 132 to learn more about the 2nd Weapons of Mass Destruction- Civil Support Team (CST)! This seminar will cover who the CST is, what they do, sample response scenarios, include a hands-on demo of their portable analytical equipment, and plenty of time for Q&A. We hope to see you there!