In this third episode of the "Just So You Know" series of the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ's) Justice Science podcasts, Donia Slack is interviewed about her work as an Associate Director with the team at the NIJ-sponsored Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE).
She first discusses her educational and work history. She received a masters in cellular and microbial science based in her interest in cancer research. Her first job was with Bodie Technology as a researcher under federal research contracts. While at Bodie Technology she was involved with a research project for the FBI regarding microbial issues related to anthrax and a successful effort to do DNA identification in the field in rapid DNA analysis. Subsequent to her work at Bodie Technology, she sought and was hired to work with FTCoE, a fedral contract through RTI. Her first work on the FTCoE team focused on ways to manage the backlogs of untested sexual assault kits in jurisdictions throughout the nation. In her current position as research director on the FTCoE team, she is involved in the management of federal contracts pertinent to instituting the results of forensic research findings into the work of local, state, and federal forensic laboratories and practitioners.