The wins keep coming for our Forensic Science student researchers. Our students won more awards than any other school in attendance at the 49th annual meeting of the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS) in Groton, Connecticut. Seven Falcons presented their original research projects, and four of them took home awards. Students award recipients included:
- Autumn Reynolds with the Peter De Forest Research Award for best undergraduate presentation
- Casey Rech with the Peter De Forest Research Award for best undergraduate poster
- Cristina Lemus with the Peter De Forest Research Award for best graduate poster
- Brianna Gregory with the Carol De Forest Research Grant
“I was extremely grateful to receive the Carol De Forest Research Grant for my graduate research,” says Gregory. “Winning this award will help me fund part of my thesis research and helps to emphasize how important DNA research is to the field.”
In a surprising turn of events, when a last-minute spot opened in the oral presentation category, Autumn Reynolds quickly adapted her poster presentation to enter, and took home the award for best undergraduate presentation!
“Originally, I was supposed to present a poster, but there was an opening in the oral presentation section, and I was offered it,” says Reynolds. “I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough time to prepare myself, but I exceeded my own expectations and was granted the award for best undergraduate oral presentation. I couldn’t have been more happy or surprised, and winning alongside one of my closest friends, Casey, and the other Cedar Crest girls was such a gift.”