Forensic Science (BS)

Dr. Danielle Graham

Assistant Professor and Interim Chair
Office: LSA 124
Phone: (910) 672-1055
Email: degraham@uncfsu.edu

Background: Dr. Danielle Graham received her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Fayetteville State University. Dr. Graham joined the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and completed her PhD in 2015. Dr. Graham went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship from UNC‐Chapel Hill that focused on training in pedagogy and research. In 2017, Dr. Graham joined the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences at FSU as an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and currently serves as the Interim Department Chair. In addition to her instructional and administrative duties, Dr. Graham is an active researcher and currently manages an NSF grant to study microbial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation. In 2020, Dr. Graham was recognized as one of the “1000 Inspiring Black scientists in America” by Cell Mentor. Dr. Graham is also the 2021 recipient of the “Teacher of the Year” award at the departmental and college level. Dr. Graham is passionate about increasing diversity in STEM by inclusive teaching, outreach, and authentic research experiences.

Ms. Carletta Graves

Administrative Assistant
Office: LSA 124
Phone: (910) 672-1692
E-mail:cgraves5@uncfsu.edu

Background: Ms. Carletta M. Graves joined the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences as the Administrative Support Associate on May 16, 2022. She has been a part of the Fayetteville State University family for many years. Some years as a student pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and seven years as an employee of Cumberland County school’s Early College High School, which is located on the FSU campus where she served as the school’s Office manager and Data manager. Ms. Graves has been working administratively at every level for nearly 20 years. She brings a wealth of knowledge of how to engage and interact with students and the academic staff. Ms. Graves is a member of many organizations that serve her community such as the North Carolina Museum of the Arts and the Black History Society of Cumberland County. In working with the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences it is always a pleasure to assist and direct others as needed.

Angel Osman

Academic Advisor
Office: LSA 220
Phone: (910) 672-1588
E-mail: aosman@uncfsu.edu

Background: Mrs. Osman joined the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences on May 3, 2021. She brings years of experience in higher education, biological sciences, and supporting students. Mrs. Osman earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Campbell University in 2009 and a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Services from Arkansas State University in 2020. She has a passion for supporting students as they navigate college, develop as adults, find their professional calling, and realize their academic goals. Mrs. Osman has a history of volunteer mentoring with first-generation college students and laboratory instruction in Biological Sciences and Chemistry. Mrs. Osman is proud to be a part of the FSU family and to do her part in ensuring students receive advisement to reach their academic and professional goals.

Dr. Khalid Lodhi

Professor and Director of the Forensics Program
Office: STB 322
Phone: (910) 672-1650
E-mail: klodhi@uncfsu.edu

Background: He is a Professor in the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences at Fayetteville State University. In addition, he serves as the Director of the forensic science program. Dr. Lodhi started his forensic career at ReliaGene Technologies, Inc. as a Senior Scientist, where he was a member of team who worked on forensic DNA database. He then joined Indianapolis Marion County Forensic Services Agency as a forensic scientist, where he investigated over 100 criminal cases involving DNA, and testified as an expert witness. Dr. Lodhi received several scholarships and prestigious awards to receive his education and career advancements such as NUFFIC/FAO fellowship, UNESCO research fellowship, Asia 21 Scholarship, Yoneyama Rotary Scholarship, Kenan Fellowship, and Fulbright Specialist award. Dr. Lodhi's current research interest involve:

1. The identification of one or more individual(s) using Low Copy Number DNA from a touched object.
2. Innovative methods of forensic education.
3. Identification of one or more individual(s) from Hematophagous insects.

Dr. Lodhi supervises the research of graduate, undergraduate and high school students on these projects. He is the author of several high-ranking international peer reviewed journals. He serves on the Editorial Board of Journal of Forensic Research. He is the member of American Academy of Forensic Sciences, International Association for Identification, Southern Association of Forensic Scientists, Council of Forensic Science Educators, and North Carolina Academy of Science.

Dr. Lieceng Zhu

Professor
Office: STB 417
Phone: (910) 672-1655
E-mail: lzhu@uncfsu.edu

Background: Dr. Lieceng Zhu is a Professor in the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences (DBFS) at Fayetteville State University (FSU). She teaches a variety of Biology, Zoology, and Forensic Science courses including BIOL/FORS 431, Population Genetics; FORS 410, Technical Writing in Forensic Science; and ZOOL 310, Principle of Genetics. Dr. Zhu's research focuses on the impact of environmental stresses on resistance of wheat plants to the Hessian fly. Since 2009, she has trained 25 students in research and publications at FSU. Dr. Zhu has published 27 papers in peer-reviewed journals and given 20 presentations in international, national and regional conferences. Because of her efforts and accomplishments in research, Dr. Zhu was selected as the 2015-2016 Academician of the Year in both DBFS and the College of Health, Science, and Technology (CHST). Additionally, Dr. Zhu has devoted herself to the success of students, faculty, and the university through service. She has served as the Assistant Chair for five years, and served as the Interim Chair of the DBFS during the 2014-2015 academic year.

Dr. Kristen Delaney Nguyen

Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Office: LSA 330A
Phone: (910) 672-1046
E-mail: kdelaney@uncfsu.edu

Background: Dr. Kristen Delaney Nguyen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological and Foresnics Sciences. She joined the department in 2013. She teaches a variety of coureses including microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, biology seminar, and research capstone. One of her primary foci is integrating research expereinces into courses in the form of CUREs (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences). She was selected as DBFS Teacher of the Year twice (2015-2016 and 2017-2018). Her research background is in the host-pathogen interface and recombinant vaccine development. Current projects focus on finding novel viruses to combat argiculturally important pathogens. Since 2015 she has mentored 17 students and published 3 peer-reviewed papers and 4 genome annotations.

Dr. Oluseyi Vanderpuye

Associate Professor of Forensic Sciences
Office: LS 215
Phone: (910) 672-1692
Email: ovanderpuye@uncfsu.edu

Background: Oluseyi Vanderpuye is currently an Associate Professor of Forensic Science at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. He graduated from universities in England (PhD) and Scotland (BSc.). Dr Vanderpuye taught 15 different Forensic Science courses over 17 years in Albany State University, Georgia which has a FEPAC-accredited program. He has been invited to teach forensic science courses in the Forensic Medicine one year diploma course at the National Postgraduate Medical College in Nigeria. He is currently on the MS thesis committee of a student at Virginia Commonwealth University and has been a committee member or chair for others in other universities. Dr. Vanderpuye has been an AAFS member and mentored 45 Albany State University undergraduate students in research projects several of whom co-authored abstracts published in the proceedings of annual meetings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. He also was a faculty mentor for the Albany State University chapter of the international Forensic Science honors society Delta Delta Epsilon and consequently is a lifetime member. Dr. Vanderpuye has done other professional activities such as organizing symposia and workshops including helping host one on Forensic epidemiology at Albany State University that was sponsored by the Georgia State Department of Public Health.

Dr. Vanderpuye’s forensic research interests include analysis and toxicology of synthetic cannabinoids, Forensic DNA typing methods and DNA databases, toxin interactions with human lung and adrenal cells, exosomal and salivary glycoprotein biomarkers for biomedical and forensic applications.

Ms. Akanksha Mandayam Narasimhan

Lecturer
Phone: (910) 672-1490
Email: amandayamnarasimhan@uncfsu.edu

Background: Ms. Akanksha Mandayam Narasimhan obtained her Bachelor of science in Forensic Science at Jain University in Karnataka, India. She earned her Master of Science in Medicolegal Death Investigation at Syracuse University, NY and went on to work as a Death Investigator at an IACME accredited Medical Examiner’s office. As she continued to move up the ranks, Ms. Mandayam Narasimhan passed her certification and became a registered diplomat of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (D-ABMDI). In the course of her career she obtained her second Master of Science degree in Forensic Science and switched her career to a more academic one. She is passionate about teaching forensics with a practical approach.

Ms. Dawn McGee

Lecturer/Lab Manager
Office: LS 122
Phone: (910) 672-1135
Email: dmcgee@uncfsu.edu

Background: Ms. Dawn McGee joined the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences as a Lecturer and Lab manager in May 2020. She is a proud alum, obtaining both her BS and MS in Biology from Fayetteville State University. Ms. McGee has serviced the university in different capacities for almost 20 years. Currently, she teaches a variety of biology courses and manages the Forensic Science laboratories.

Many of our students have received internships, conducted and presented research, obtained employment in forensic and related fields, and enrolled in graduate degree programs.

• Student Achievement Data as of 2021 (pdf will open in new window)
• Student Testimonials (pdf will open in new window)

• Forensic Science Program Guide 
• Forensic Science Four Year Degree Plan
  

Forensic Science Minor for Chemistry Majors