If you’re a forensic science student scrolling through Instagram, wondering how you’ll ever break into the field, or questioning whether anyone will take you seriously before you’ve even graduated—this is for you.
The ISHI Student Ambassador Program isn’t just another line on your CV. It’s a structured pathway into the forensic DNA community, designed to give five students exactly what they need most: access, visibility, and proof that they belong.
Students who’ve participated last year describe the program as clarifying, validating, and unexpectedly community-building.
“Throughout the week, spending time with the other Student Ambassadors, both during and outside the conference, grounded me in the moment and reminded me how special the experience was,” says Maria Josefina Castagnola. “It also helped me appreciate how shared experiences can build a sense of community in our field.”
What It Actually Looks Like
The program isn’t just about showing up to a conference. It’s about being introduced—deliberately and publicly—to a professional network that can be difficult to access on your own.
Before you even arrive in Seattle, ISHI features your research and story on their website and social channels. By the time you walk into the Welcome Reception, people already know who you are. That matters more than it sounds like it should. Forensic DNA is a small field, and being recognized—even just by name—changes the dynamic of every conversation that follows.
You’ll present a scientific poster, which might be nerve-wracking if you’ve never done it before. Kiersten Fultz certainly felt that way. “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, 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.”
The ISHI media team will also record a video interview of your poster presentation, which gets shared across their platforms later. It’s not just about that one day in Seattle—it’s about extending the reach of your work and your name for months afterward.
You’ll have access to pre- and post-conference workshops, the kind of hands-on sessions that would normally cost hundreds of dollars and fill up fast. You’ll attend the Wednesday night off-site dinner, where the formal presentations give way to actual conversations. And you’ll spend the week surrounded by other students who are just as hungry to figure out where they belong in this field.
For Laila Mansour, that combination made all the difference. “Getting to speak with both fellow student presenters and professionals made me feel included in the forensic science community already and helped clarify my path moving forward in my degree and beyond!”
The Research Matters, But So Does the Conversation
One of the unexpected benefits of the program is realizing that your research doesn’t exist in isolation. Maria Flores found that out when she connected with another student ambassador working on age estimation. “Connecting with another student ambassador who is conducting age estimation research in bones and teeth using DNA methylation, was especially insightful. Our discussion allowed us to compare methodological approaches and consider potential strategies to advance our respective research directions.”
Those kinds of conversations—the ones where someone actually understands the methodological decisions you’re making and can push your thinking forward—are rare when you’re still in school. At ISHI, they happen constantly.
What You'll Need to Apply
The application process is straightforward but does require some thought. You’ll submit a written essay (500–750 words total) answering three questions: how you decided on forensic science as a career, what you hope to gain from participating in ISHI, and what your poster research will cover. You’ll also record a short video—anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes—explaining why you want to attend.
The video doesn’t need to be polished. It needs to be genuine. Talk about what excites you. If there’s a specific workshop that aligns with your research, mention it. If you’ve been following a particular speaker’s work, say so. The committee is looking for students who can articulate why this matters to them, not students who can deliver a perfect pitch.
If you’re selected, you’ll be asked to contribute content throughout the process: photos, social media posts, blog reflections, day-in-the-life stories. It’s work, yes, but it’s also strategic visibility in a field where being known matters as much as being qualified.
Why It's Worth Considering
Forensic DNA is a field where relationships compound over time. The professional you meet at a poster session might remember your name when a job opening comes up two years later. The peer you connect with over coffee might become a collaborator on future research. The professor leading a workshop might be willing to answer your questions over email long after the conference ends.
The ISHI Student Ambassador Program doesn’t guarantee any specific outcome. But it does give you a structured way to enter a professional community that can otherwise feel closed off to students. It gives you a reason to be in the room, and a framework for making the most of being there.
Applications open February 2nd and close May 3rd. If you’ve been waiting for a clear next step—something that moves you from “student taking classes” to “emerging professional with something to contribute”—this might be it.
Start thinking about your essay now. You’ll be glad you did.