Forensic Biology

Mirna Ghemrawi, PhD, MSFS

Program Director, Forensic Biology Program
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Originally from Lebanon, Dr. Ghemrawi graduated with a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences from Haigazian University on a USAID Merit Scholarship and completed her Master’s in Forensic Science at Purdue University as a Fulbright Scholar. Passionate about education and STEM outreach, she offers pro bono guidance to students and actively promotes science communication. Her research focuses on developing novel sequencing-based assays for forensic applications, including non-human DNA. She is a member of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).

Dr. Mirna Ghemrawi is the Associate Director at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) and the Program Director for the Master of Science in Forensic Biology at Thomas Jefferson University. With expertise in forensic biology, genetics, and epigenetics, she has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications and presented at international conferences. Dr. Ghemrawi earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Florida International University, where she received the Real Triumphs Award. Recognized as a young and inspiring scientist in Electrophoresis, she has also been elected Co-chair for the 2025 Gordon Research Seminar on Forensic DNA.

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Leah Nangeroni, MS

Assistant Program Director, Forensic Biology Program
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Leah Nangeroni received her Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania State University in Forensic Science in 2010. After graduating, Leah worked as a DNA technologist at GeneDx until 2011 where she performed PCR amplification and DNA sequencing.  From 2011-2022, she worked at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) both in Rockville, MD, and Dover AFB. During her 11 years at AFDIL, she held positions as a DNA technician performing quantitative-PCR and DNA typing and as a DNA Analyst performing independent casework on various sample types (bone, tissue, bloodstain cards, and swabs), to include DNA extraction, PCR amplification, DNA data analysis, and interpretation, and report writing in auSTR, Y-STR, and mtDNA technologies.

Leah is currently a Forensic Biologist III at the CFSRE.  In this role, she assists with the teaching of laboratory courses and student research projects, mentors graduate students, conducts validations on new instrumentation, conducts research, and maintains current instrumentation. Leah is also a certified Forensic ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Technical Assessor through ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) and a member of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG). 

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Coral Smith, MSFS

Instructor, Forensic Biology Program
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Coral Smith earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic and Investigative Science from Alfred State College in 2019. She continued her education at West Virginia University, where she completed her Master of Science in Forensic and Investigative Science with a focus on DNA analysis. During her time at WVU, she instructed laboratory courses, earned her Certificate in University Teaching, and researched innovative techniques for DNA and RNA recovery from low-template evidence samples. Coral’s research interests include maximizing DNA recovery from challenging samples and developing novel techniques for multianalyte recovery from casework-type samples. She is passionate about teaching and inspiring the next generation of scientists, encouraging them to become creative thinkers and researchers.

Judith Rodriguez Salas

Program Coodinator, Forensic Biology & Toxicology Program
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Judith Rodriguez serves as laboratory support assistant and STEM coordinator at CFSRE assisting in all laboratory necessities, developing STEM classes and laboratory activities for surrounding schools in the Philadelphia area. She also serves as the ITAD program administrator and Instrumental Analysis lab teacher for Thomas Jefferson University and Arcadia University 1st year students.

Judith Rodriguez graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. In 2018, she obtained her Master of Science in Forensic Science from Arcadia University, focusing on forensic biology through her research in a Method Development of Direct Quantification for Sexual Assault Samples to be Incorporated in the Direct PCR Workflow. She also focused on forensic toxicology through her internship at the CFSRE. After the completion of her degree, she worked as the forensic toxicology mentor for the Forensic Science Mentoring Institute class of Summer 2018, in which she is reprising her role for the Summer 2023.

She has been working as the International Toxic Adulterant Database (ITAD) program administrator as a liaison between laboratories around the world, collecting data and managing the ITAD.org website where all data about the toxic adulterants identified in seized drug material are displayed. Judith also worked on the African Wildlife Forensic program. She assists the lab manager in making sure the laboratory has everything that is needed to run and instruments are in good working condition. She also acts as the in-house Lab Safety Officer.

As the STEM coordinator, she is working on forensic science outreach, bringing forensic science to middle and high schools in the Philadelphia area. She also organizes field trips for students to come to CFSRE and perform laboratory experiments on the different forensic science fields.