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Students Present Their Research at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Conference

By Loyola University on Tue, 03/24/2026 - 11:37

Three Undergraduates attended and presented at the 78th annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences conference on February 9-14, 2026. 

  • Taylin Naquin (Loyola Chemistry and Biochemistry '26), presented research performed with Dr. Anna Duggar, "An expanded evaluation of XRD and SEM-EDS for the characterization of inorganic particles in eyeshadows"
  • Jessica Valerio (Loyola Biological Sciences '26), presented research performed with Dr. Anna Duggar, "Thermal Alteration of Pollen Grains: Implications for Forensic Analysis"
  • George Cattan (Tulane Chemistry '26), presented research performed with Nina Ratusznik (Chemistry and Biochemistry '25). Dr. Anna Duggar, and Dr. CJ Stephenson, "Teaching Undergraduates Toxicology Skills Via a Mock Urinalysis LC/MS/MS Protocol"

Dr. Anna Duggar (Loyola Chemistry and Biochemistry) also presented research performed with Lily Manzi (Chemistry and Biochemistry '25) and Dr. Allyn Schoeffler, "The Fungicide Did It: False Negatives and Decreased Sensitivity of Heme Tests on a Leather Substrate" Furthermore, Dr. Anna Duggar gave a luncheon seminar titled, "Disaster Management for the Forensic Laboratory: A Hurricane Katrina Primer and Retrospective" and participated by invitation in a panel discussion, "Criminalistics Gone Wild—Does Technology Kill the Truth?"

as well as in the Criminalistics Special Session: Believe It or Not! (both by invitation).

 

loyno reps

Photo, Left to right: Taylin Naquin, Victoria Pineda, Dr. Anna S. Duggar, Jessica Valerio, Daisy Trigueros