Coroner - Daviess County - Daviess County, IN
(2022-05)
- Chief law enforcement authority for medicolegal death investigations, determining cause and manner of death in compliance with Indiana Code
- Direct complex investigations involving overdose, suicide, and suspected criminal activity requiring advanced scene assessment and interagency collaboration
- Chief investigative trainer for child death investigations with the Indiana Coroner's Association and Indiana Department of Health
- Deliver training to public safety and healthcare personnel on child death investigation protocols and trauma-informed communication
- Local Outreach for Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team founder
Director of Education & Workforce Development - Zero Abuse Project
(2019-05)
- Serve as the chief academic administrator for a national consortium of 119 university programs across 33 states. Responsibilities mirror a Deanship: overseeing curriculum fidelity, faculty development, and assessment data for Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) programs
- Design and administer comprehensive national training curriculum for law enforcement professionals (ICAC Taskforce, prosecutors, patrol officers) on child abuse investigation, digital forensics, and prosecutorial best practices
- Provide subject matter expertise, TA and consultation on advanced forensic methods, evidence collection, and interpretation for multidisciplinary teams and court-related matters, with over 800 TA requests cleared in 4 years
- Engage in national training and education RE: forensic science principles, testing results, and principles for child maltreatment and child death investigations for law enforcement, coroner/medical examiner, prosecutor, child protection, and forensic personnel; recent training vendors include but are not limited to the National Advocacy Center (DoJ), Oklahoma Commission on Children & Youth, the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council and the New York Prosecutors Training Institute
Program Chair, Forensic Science & Associate Professor of Criminal Justice - Indiana Institute of Technology - Fort Wayne, IN
(2017-08 - 2019-05)
- Designed and launched B.S. program in Forensic Science with curriculum map and course content aimed at FEPAC accreditation
- Developed and taught specialized courses including Forensic DNA Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation, and Forensic & Environmental Entomology
- Taught, mentored and advised 200+ students across Biology, Criminal Justice programs
- Regularly taught 4+4 course loads per semester
- Proficient in online, in-person course development with lab experiences
Forensic Scientist (Rank III), Biology Unit - Indiana State Police Laboratory - Evansville, IN
(2016-02 - 2017-08)
- Conducted advanced serology and DNA analysis on criminal case evidence in accordance with accreditation standards
- Proficient in report writing, documentation, and evidentiary chain of custody maintenance
- Successful in completing required inspections and audits for accreditation requirements and state operations
- Maintained technical proficiency in high-throughput forensic instrumentation (AB 3500, AB 7500) for casework processing
Program Chair & Associate Professor of Criminal Justice - Oakland City University - Oakland City, IN
(2012-08 - 2016-02)
- Supervised the on-campus Criminal Justice department as chair; managed four adjunct faculty and advised approximately 25 students across B.S., A.S., and online degree pathways
- Served as chief architect of the university's internally produced online Criminal Justice program, ranked #4 nationally on BestColleges.com's Best Online Criminal Justice Programs list (2014)
- Established a new Forensic Science concentration and CJ department minor; developed 10+ new courses including Crime Scene Investigation, Applied Forensic Science, Victimology, and Ethics in Criminal Justice
- Implemented a three-assessment evaluation system and graduating-student assessment rubric per Higher Learning Commission recommendations; created program mission, goals, and learner objectives using ACJS accreditation criteria
- Served as Dual-Credit Liaison (evaluating high-school instructor credentials and course equivalency) and Compliance Office liaison for hazardous-materials records
- Achieved unconditional NCATE accreditation of the Biology Education program (2014); founded the annual CJ Day student event (250+ student attendees)
Microbiologist / DNA Specialist / QA-QC Manager - HML Inc. - Muncie, IN
(2008 - 2012)
- Performed molecular and microbiological analysis in a regulatory laboratory setting, including DNA/RNA-based detection methods and pathogen identification
- Served as Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager, maintaining laboratory standards, validation protocols, and regulatory compliance
- Authored and co-authored EPA analytical methods for pathogen detection in drinking and surface water, including protocols oriented toward Department of Homeland Security response to public-water-system threats
- Contributed to validation studies for detection and enumeration of Salmonella spp. in drinking and waste water
