Heather E. McKiernan, MSFS

Assistant Program Director, Forensic Toxicology, Thomas Jefferson University

Director of Academic Programs, The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education [email protected]

Heather E. McKiernan is an experienced forensic scientist and practitioner with over seven years of experience in forensic science research in DNA analysis, human identification and forensic serology. 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 finishing a doctoral degree at the University of Denver where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology, with a focus on forensic science applications.

Prior to receiving her graduate degree, Ms. McKiernan worked as a member of the scientific staff at Coriell Institute for Medical Research in Camden, NJ and performed research in collaboration with the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences Central Laboratory in Ewing, NJ. She began her forensic science career at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education where she oversaw research projects in the areas of forensic biology and toxicology. She served as the Interim/Assistant Director for the Masters Program at Arcadia University for four years, teaching designing and enhancing the curriculum, and setting up a forensic biology research program in collaboration with practitioner collaborators in accredited laboratories. In addition to teaching the forensic biology content for the Arcadia University 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 adjunct appointments for the instruction of forensic genetic and serological coursework and has returned to the Center to serve as the Director of Academic Programs. In this role, she helps maintain the relationship between The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education and Thomas Jefferson University to ensure the successful offering of the PSM in Forensic Toxicology.

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 body fluid identification. Her research interests include novel approaches to serological identification and improving methods for the collection and detection of low copy number 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.