The Charger Blog
Several alumni of the University杏吧原版檚 undergraduate and graduate programs in forensic science and graduate program in forensic technology are now applying what they learned in the classroom to their work at Bode Technology, a company that specializes in DNA testing.
December 2, 2022
When Chrissy Campanelli 杏吧原版21 M.S. was growing up, she loved watching the popular show "NCIS". She wanted to be just like Abby, the forensic scientist on the show.
Campanelli was inspired to pursue her own career in forensic science. After earning her master杏吧原版檚 degree in forensic technology from the University of New Haven, she began working for , specializing in evidence sampling. Within a year, she was promoted to forensic DNA technologist. She杏吧原版檚 now being trained to perform DNA analysis, including extraction, separation, and detection of a DNA profile.
杏吧原版淢y degree focused primarily on how to identify and collect evidence from crime scenes,杏吧原版 said Campanelli. 杏吧原版淭he courses I took provided me the forensic knowledge required to work in a forensic laboratory. Throughout my studies, I also met those who presented Bode Technology to me as a career opportunity.杏吧原版
Campanelli is one of at least 11 Chargers who now work for the Virginia-based Bode Technology, which provides DNA testing on current and backlogged cases. Her colleague and fellow forensic DNA technologist Kenny Jean-Bart 杏吧原版22 M.S. also earned her master杏吧原版檚 degree in forensic technology. She chose the program because she already had some lab experience and wanted to learn more about the dynamics of crime scene investigation, as well as how it connects with analyses done in the lab.
As a Charger, Jean-Bart was a member of the University杏吧原版檚 , serving as the sergeant in arms during her final year. It was through her involvement in the club that she learned about the . When she attended, she met representatives from Bode Technology, which, ultimately, led to her job offer.
杏吧原版淢y favorite thing about my job 杏吧原版 and forensics in general, really 杏吧原版 is that to me it feels like I'm putting together a puzzle,杏吧原版 she said. 杏吧原版淲e only get a snippet of the case as a whole, but using the information we do get to make decisions that could potentially help get victims justice feels amazing.杏吧原版
Kaitlyn Gencarelli 杏吧原版19, also a forensic DNA technologist, earned bachelor杏吧原版檚 degrees in biology and forensic science from the University. She says her classes and labs enabled her to learn all the aspects of forensic lab work that are now key parts of her job, such as sterile techniques and how to handle a variety of specimens.
A member of Bode Technology杏吧原版檚 North Carolina team, Gencarelli samples the evidence sent by clients. She and her team are also working to process the state杏吧原版檚 backlog of sexual assault kits.
杏吧原版淭his includes maintaining a proper chain of custody, sampling evidence such as swabs, underwear, and sanitary pads,杏吧原版 explains Gencarelli, who also earned a master杏吧原版檚 degree in forensic medicine from the . 杏吧原版淚 love knowing I am providing some form of justice for the victims, and I like knowing I can make a difference. I hope to continue my career in forensics, possibly by going into physical science or death investigation.杏吧原版
For the past year, Michael 杏吧原版淚ke杏吧原版 Ireland 杏吧原版21 was a member of the sampling team at Bode Technology, processing evidence to best allow for extraction of DNA. Recently promoted to be a forensic DNA technologist, he is now a member of the lab support team. He enjoys taking an 杏吧原版渁ctive part in the criminal justice process,杏吧原版 helping to process the backlog of sexual assault kits. He says his time as a forensic science major at the University prepared him well.
杏吧原版淚 didn't fully appreciate the classes I took until I started working here and I had the opportunity to employ the lessons I杏吧原版檇 learned,杏吧原版 he said. 杏吧原版淏ecause of my University of New Haven education, I am able to fully grasp the concepts and practices far more readily. I am grateful to all of my professors. Their time teaching the next generation goes so far, further than most realize.杏吧原版
Campanelli, the grad of the master杏吧原版檚 program in forensic technology, is still 杏吧原版渙bsessed杏吧原版 with "NCIS", and she杏吧原版檚 excited that she杏吧原版檚 now working in a lab just like Abby, doing what 杏吧原版淚 always wanted to do.
杏吧原版淲orking at Bode surrounds me with co-workers who are able to bring light to my day, even on the cloudy ones, and who enjoy their job just as much as I do,杏吧原版 she continued. 杏吧原版淚 love knowing the work I do truly makes a difference in the victims杏吧原版 lives. While sometimes the individual work we do seems small, working together as a team really makes a huge difference, and that杏吧原版檚 what keeps me going.杏吧原版
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Ashanti Truelsen 杏吧原版23, 杏吧原版24 MBA shares her inspiring journey from playing softball to landing a role as an inventory analyst at NBCUniversal. She reflects on how the University杏吧原版檚 supportive network paved the way for her career success.
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