Dr. Krystal Hans (r), assistant professor and principal investigator of the three-year, $400,000 National Science Foundation grant, believes the funding will help students like the one she is working with in the lab to get the most out of DSU's Forensic Science Program. — *In this photo:* Dr. Krystal Hans (r), assistant professor and principal investigator of the three-year, $400,000 National Science Foundation grant, believes the funding will help students like the one she is working with in the lab to get the most out of DSU’s Forensic Science Program.

On Campus

DSU awarded $400,000 grant for Forensic Sci. Program

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

The DSU Forensic Science Program recently received strong support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which has awarded DSU a three-year, $400,000 HBCU-UP grant to support the Collaborative Science Initiative (CSI) Delaware.

This project aims to strengthen the Forensic Biology Program at DSU, to enhance the education and experience of students currently enrolled in the programs as well as future students, ultimately resulting in pursuit of accreditation by the Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).

CSI Delaware will revise the Forensic Biology curriculum, increase collaboration between DSU and forensic science laboratories and professional organizations, and increase opportunities for student internship placement, professional development, and mentorship.

This project is interdisciplinary and is the joint effort of members of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology and the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences.

The principal investigator of the grant is Dr. Krystal Hans, director of the Forensic Biology Program in the Department of Biological Sciences. The co-principal investigator is Dr. Kylie Parrotta, the academic advisor of the Collegiate Chapter of NOBLE and associate professor (L-r) Dr. Krystal Hans and Dr. Kylie Parrotta are the principal investigator and co-PI of the NSF grant, respectively. in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.

“This award will help to grow the Forensic Biology program at DSU, which is a popular major in the Biology department,” said Dr. Hans. “We hope that our program will be updated so that students will have more practical experience in the classroom, research laboratory and in professional settings, whether that’s internships, scientific conferences or with professional organizations.”

She added that the goal is to achieve accreditation through the FEPAC, which would make DSU one of two HBCUs with this distinction, attract more students to the University’s program, as well as help graduates in getting more jobs in forensic science.