Most forensic drug labs work with chemistry. GC-MS is the gold standard, and it does what it’s supposed to do — but it’s slow, and the backlogs are real. Rory Conn, a graduate student in forensic molecular biology at George Washington University, set out to see whether DNA could help.
Her research builds on a genotyping assay developed by her advisor to differentiate marijuana from hemp using real-time PCR — a distinction that became legally meaningful after the 2018 Farm Bill redefined hemp as cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC. The science was already there. Rory’s job was to make the workflow faster. She found a method that cuts extraction time from roughly 60 minutes per sample to about 10.
Conn presented her poster at ISHI 36 as a Student Ambassador. We sat down with her to learn more about the project, what she found, and what she’d tell the next generation of students thinking about applying.
What’s the research problem, and what have you found?
The 2018 Farm Bill drew a legal line through the cannabis plant. Hemp and marijuana are genetically the same species, but their THC content determines legality — and that creates a real analytical challenge for forensic labs.
Chemistry methods like GC-MS can draw that line, but they take time, and drug labs are already overwhelmed. Conn’s project explores whether DNA-based genotyping can serve as a complement: faster to run, and effective even on degraded samples where chemistry struggles.
“The goal of my project was to simplify and optimize a previously developed workflow, which my advisor developed, in order to make it faster while still obtaining accurate and reliable results.”
The original protocol used a Qiagen DNeasy Plant Mini Kit — about 60 minutes per sample due to incubation times. The method Conn’s work validated is a modified Chelex protocol that takes approximately 10 minutes per sample.
“So that’s six times faster than the previous protocol.”
Comprehensive validation of the full workflow is still in progress, so the 6x figure refers specifically to extraction speed. But the direction is clear.
What drew you to this work personally?
Conn entered graduate school knowing she wanted to focus on DNA and genetics. The specific application — drug analysis — wasn’t something she’d anticipated.
“When I entered graduate school, I knew I wanted to focus on DNA and genetics, but I wasn’t sure what form that research would take. Learning about the projects at GWU opened my eyes to the possibility of applying DNA analysis to drug research, an intersection I hadn’t previously encountered.”
Her advisor’s enthusiasm for the work made a difference too. And as she moved further into the project, the real-world stakes came into focus.
“This research matters to me because it addresses the pressing issue of drug backlogs in forensic laboratories, while also allowing me to combine my passions for forensic science, DNA, and genetics in a meaningful way.”
What was the hardest part of the process?
The challenge wasn’t the genotyping itself — it was the extraction step. Conn was tasked with finding a method faster than the existing kit while still producing consistent, reliable results. That meant testing multiple protocols in parallel.
“Managing multiple samples across up to five different protocols at once was demanding, and it was discouraging when promising methods failed to genotype.”
Over time, the challenge became a turning point. One method consistently produced successful results across repeated trials.
“That turning point transformed the process from frustrating to motivating.”
What did the ISHI poster session add?
Conn presented to an audience that doesn’t typically encounter DNA-based drug analysis — and that generated some of the most useful conversations of the week.
“A lot of discussion was centered on how genotyping could complement current chemical methods used to distinguish marijuana from hemp. Several attendees were curious about the practical challenges, such as handling different cannabis sample types and mixtures, and how DNA-based approaches might address those limitations.”
Others asked about scalability and the potential for integrating cannabis genotyping into routine forensic workflows — possibly through rapid DNA systems.
“These conversations broadened my perspective on where the field could go, and they made me realize that DNA may have a much larger role to play in drug analysis than I initially imagined.”
For Conn, the experience also reinforced the stakes of the work. A mock case exercise during the ambassador program — presenting DNA profile results and learning they were based on a real survivor’s story — shifted how she thinks about why any of this matters.
“Presenting my own research at ISHI strengthened that understanding even more. Having conversations about how my research could be applied to actual casework reminded me that forensic science research not only aims to improve techniques in the lab, but also to impact real cases, which in turn, can affect the people involved.”
What’s next for this research?
The immediate priority is completing comprehensive validation — nailing down the best sample amount to reagent ratios and confirming the workflow performs reliably before it goes further. After that, GWU’s lab is looking at applying the differentiation protocol to digital PCR, which could improve sensitivity and precision.
Conn won’t be the one running that work — she’s finishing her degree — but she’s watching where it goes.
“Look forward to seeing that hopefully in the future from GW.”
As for her own path: she’s planning to apply to both crime labs and research positions, and leaving room for a PhD in forensic science or molecular genetics down the line.
“ISHI broadened my view of the career paths available in forensic science. Conversations with vendors, researchers, and other students helped me see that opportunities extend far beyond traditional casework, and that research roles can be just as impactful and exciting.”
What would you tell students thinking about applying?
Conn’s answer was straightforward.
“I would say do it. It’s a great experience. I think, um, it’s always a little scary to apply to something because of the fear of rejection, but I would say just apply to every opportunity you can, especially this one.”
She also mentioned what surprised her most: how welcoming the conference was once she arrived.
“Before arriving at my first ISHI, I was nervous about presenting and unsure of what to expect, but I wish I had known just how fun and welcoming the conference would be. For other students attending for the first time, I’d say: don’t be intimidated. Ask questions, talk to people, and enjoy the opportunity; you’ll learn a lot and form connections that make the whole experience unforgettable.”