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Original Release Date: May 7, 2018
In episode three of our 2018 Drugs Season, Just Science interviews Alex Krotulski, a research scientist, and Amanda Mohr, a Forensic Scientist 2, at the Center for Forensic Science Research and education. Both discuss their NIJ funded research titled Evaluating Trends in Novel Psychoactive Substances Using a Sentinel Population of Electronic Dance Music Festival Attendees.
This episode was recorded at the America Academy of Forensic Sciences 2018 annual meeting where Alex presented the research at the NIJ R&D Symposium. If you missed his talk you can view the archival here.
This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence [Award 2016-MU-BX-K110].
Related Resources
- The Center For Forensic Science Research and Education
- Recreational Drug Use Trends and Emerging Analytes Identified in Blood, Urine, and/or Oral Fluid from Attendees at an Electronic Dance Music Festival Poster
- Analysis of Biological Specimens for the Presence of Novel Psychoactive Substances from Attendees at an Electronic Dance Music Festival
Guest Biography
Amanda L.A. Mohr is a graduate of The University of Montana graduating with dual degrees in in Human Biological Sciences and Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. She then obtained a Masters of Science in Forensic Science from Arcadia University focusing on detection of novel recreational drugs in alternative matrices through her research entitled, “Method Development and Validation for the Detection of 2C-E in Oral Fluid.”
Currently, Mandi serves as a Forensic Scientist II at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education. In this role, Mandi works on variety of analytical projects associated with toxicology samples, teaches graduate students on analytical and instrumental toxicology lab, serves as co-principle investigation on grant-funded research and oversees the G John DiGregorio Summer Science Program. Mandi maintains an active research agenda and is funded through the National Institute of Justice. Her current research interests include method development for the identification and prevalence determination of novel psychoactive substances, oral fluid drug testing, and drug impaired driving. In recognition of the advancements she has made to the field of forensic toxicology through research, Mandi was awarded the Forensic Sciences Foundation Student Scholarship Award by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 2013.
Alex Krotulski is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. He then obtained a Master’s degree in Forensic Science from Arcadia University focusing in forensic toxicology through research with method development and validation for THC from blood and oral fluid.
Currently, Alex serves as a Research Scientist I at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education. In this role, Alex is involved in method development and validation for our platforms involving working with novel psychoactive substances. Alex is currently working with the Sciex TripleTOF ® 5600+ for method development involving drug screening in blood, urine, and oral fluid. Alex also helps with graduate courses involving instrumentation and analysis using our various state-of-the-art instrumental platforms. Alex maintains an active research agenda and is funded through the National Institute of Justice. His current research interests include novel instrumental platforms and techniques for the identification and analysis of substance within toxicological matrices.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this podcast episode are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Contact us at ForensicCOE@rti.org with any questions and subscribe to our newsletter for notifications.
