Are you a passionate student pursuing a degree in forensic science, eager to dive into the world of cutting-edge research and groundbreaking advancements? Look no further! The ISHI Student Ambassador Program is your exclusive gateway to unparalleled opportunities at the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) conference. The application window opens on February 2, 2026.
For Kiersten, a former pharmacy major turned forensic biology researcher, the 2025 ISHI conference in West Palm Beach marked several firsts—her first time presenting a poster, her first deep dive into disaster victim identification, and her first real sense that she’d found her place in the field.
As a Student Ambassador, Kiersten shared her research on predictive modeling and high-resolution melt analysis, connected with global experts, and found unexpected inspiration in areas like historical DNA analysis and wildlife forensics. In this Q&A, she reflects on what it was like to step into the spotlight, the conversations that left a mark, and how ISHI helped affirm the impact forensic DNA can have—across communities, continents, and even centuries.
You’ve previously shared how a true crime documentary changed your career path from pharmacy to forensic science. How did attending ISHI affirm (or challenge) the path you’re now on? Was there a specific moment that stood out to you?
Being surrounded by passionate forensic science professionals with different backgrounds, fields of study, and walks of life confirmed to me that I am in the right field. As a student ambassador, studying forensic biology has provided me satisfaction that pharmacy could not regarding making a difference in the community. Listening to talks at ISHI about solving cold cases, identifying previously unknown individuals, and up-and-coming research helped show me how forensic science directly impacts people’s lives and can also provide closure to families who needed answers. I am so glad I was able to witness these stories and meet forensic biology experts first hand!
This was your first opportunity to formally present your HRM and machine learning research. What was it like to share your work with a global forensic audience? Did any feedback or conversations from poster viewers shift how you think about your project’s next steps?
I was both nervous and excited to present my research for the first time at ISHI. It can be intimidating to share all the work you have done to forensic professionals and only have a few minutes to do so, but it ended up being an amazing experience! By the end of the poster session, I was feeling confident and passionate about the work I had done, and felt as though the individuals I talked to were able to gain some insight about developing research in biology but also prediction modeling, a topic that is starting to become more prevalent in scientific fields.
Your research brings together DNA analysis and predictive modeling. Did you discover any sessions or technologies at ISHI that resonated with your work—or inspired new applications for HRM screening tools in the field?
Yes! I was excited to see other posters and sessions that were related to or mentioned predictive modeling. The keynote address mentioned AI software for predictive modeling as well, which shows how expansive this topic can be and how endless the possibilities really are.
You mentioned that hearing about Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) sparked an entirely new career interest. What other unexpected forensic applications or career paths did you learn about at ISHI?
One of my favorite things about forensic science is how many applications it consists of! I enjoyed learning about how mtDNA analysis was able to be used to analyze the historical “Kaspar Hauser Enigma,” which brought to light the importance of proper analysis in a case involving samples over 200 years old. This talk by Walther Parson highlighted the importance and application of DNA not only for current cases, but to unanswered questions even centuries old.
One of your goals was to build connections outside your grad program. Can you tell us about one meaningful conversation or new connection you made—and how that interaction might shape your career?
As an introvert, it can sometimes be difficult to connect with new people in a meaningful way. At ISHI, this task seemed easy, as connections seemed to flow with ease. I enjoyed interviewing Dr. Bright and learning more about the probabilistic genotyping software STRmix. We were able to continue our conversations during my poster session as well and how our different research focuses could be related.
You’ve spoken about your commitment to underrepresented communities and even to the field of wildlife forensics. Did any ISHI presentations or speakers inspire you to think differently about how DNA can serve justice—whether for people, animals, or ecosystems?
Attending ISHI allowed me to gain insight on the many ways DNA can be used to serve justice. One talk that stood out to me by Carlos Morales described how the Center for Human Identification is implementing a new initiative to focus on solving missing and unidentified persons cases specifically in underrepresented communities, which included more DNA testing and profile uploads into CODIS. He also mentioned providing free DNA testing kits and scientific training in these more rural areas. This talk provided me hope that forensic DNA can be accessible and informative worldwide with the help of the forensic community as a whole.
You’re known for powering through long days in the lab with Extra Toasty Cheez- Its. What helped keep you energized or grounded during a busy week at ISHI?
While my week at ISHI was definitely busy, I was able to spend my down time with my fellow student ambassadors! I was able to remain energized and grounded as we talked about our different research projects, what our future plans are, and what we are interested in outside of the lab! It was nice to be able to explore Palm Beach in the evenings and share some nice meals together as well!
If you could give your pre-conference self one piece of advice—or share one takeaway with future student ambassadors—what would it be? And what’s next for you after ISHI and graduation?
I would tell myself not to be so nervous because everyone is there to share their experiences and help you succeed! I am looking forward to working in the field as a DNA analyst, and I feel more confident going into this next step thanks to the workshops, talks, and amazing forensic DNA professionals I met at ISHI!