Through the ISHI Student Ambassador program, we get a front-row seat to the ideas and research shaping the future of forensic science. Each spotlight in this series highlights not only the science itself but also the personal journeys behind it.
Meet Rory Conn, a graduate student whose work is bringing DNA analysis into an unexpected arena: cannabis research. With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill redefining hemp and marijuana based on THC content, forensic labs face new challenges in how they identify and process cannabis samples. Rory’s project builds on a DNA genotyping assay to differentiate marijuana from hemp, while also streamlining workflows to reduce time and cost.
What started as a daunting search for faster, reliable DNA extraction methods has become an exciting path toward helping labs cut drug backlogs and improve efficiency. For Rory, it’s also a chance to merge a passion for genetics with real-world forensic applications—and to show how DNA-based drug analysis could complement traditional chemistry in meaningful ways.
Tell us the story of your research. What sparked the question, and what have you discovered so far?
The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which redefined the federal legality of cannabis products based on THC content, raised important questions about how forensic laboratories would adapt their methods for analyzing suspected cannabis samples. While traditional chemistry techniques such as GC-MS remain the gold standard, DNA-based methods are emerging as a promising complement due to their faster processing time and suitability for aged or degraded samples. My graduate research builds on an existing DNA genotyping assay that differentiates marijuana from hemp using real-time PCR. To improve efficiency, I have been working to streamline the workflow by developing faster DNA extraction methods and validating a modified process that eliminates the need for sample weighing and quantitation.
What drew you to this specific topic—and why does it matter to you personally or professionally?
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. The project immediately appealed to me because it merged my interests in DNA and genetics with real-world forensic applications. My advisor, Dr. Ya-Chih (Jessica) Cheng, also conveyed such enthusiasm for the work that it further inspired me to pursue it. 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’s one method or part of your research process that you found unexpectedly challenging or exciting?
The most challenging part of my research so far has been testing alternative extraction methods. I was tasked with finding a technique that would be faster than the Qiagen DNeasy Plant Mini Kit while still producing consistent and reliable results. 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, though, the challenge became exciting, especially as one method consistently produced successful results across repeated trials. That turning point transformed the process from frustrating to motivating.
Was there a moment during your research where something clicked—or didn’t go as expected? How did you adapt?
A large part of my project involves qPCR for genotyping. While I had some prior experience, I was nervous about independently managing the full workflow, from DNA extraction to quantitation to qPCR. My first attempt produced confusing results, but after several independent runs, the process began to feel natural. The moment it really clicked was when I successfully completed the workflow with thirty samples. That experience built my confidence and reinforced how practice can turn a daunting task into second nature.
What real-world problem do you hope your research helps to solve, and who do you hope it impacts most?
Many forensic laboratories face significant backlogs, especially with drug samples. My research aims to provide a DNA-based method that could complement traditional chemistry approaches. While chemistry remains the gold standard, incorporating DNA techniques could help laboratories process cases more efficiently and reduce delays. More broadly, optimized custom qPCR genotyping workflows can provide valuable analytical information at lower costs and with faster turnaround times. I hope this work will give forensic laboratories more flexible and effective tools for scientific and investigative purposes.
If someone only remembers one thing from your poster, what do you hope it is?
I hope people remember that DNA-based drug analysis is not only exciting but a promising complement to standard chemistry techniques, as it has the potential to make forensic work faster and more efficient.
Looking ahead, what’s the next question you’re itching to explore?
Looking ahead, I’m interested in developing a cannabis genotyping assay using digital PCR. Building on my current work, this would provide an opportunity to explore how digital PCR could improve sensitivity, precision, and reproducibility in genotyping. Ultimately, that line of research would allow me to compare performance across different genotyping platforms to better understand their strengths and limitations, in order to help establish a framework for selecting the most appropriate method based on a laboratory’s specific needs and targets.