LAB TEAM
Novroski Lab - April 2024.
Novroski lab, Spring 2024. Photo courtesy of Murray Clayton.
Nicole Novroski, PhD
Dr. Nicole Novroski is a Forensic Geneticist and Tenure-Stream Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Anthropology with a primary teaching appointment in the Forensic Science Program at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM).
Dr. Novroski’s academic accolades include a Bachelor of Science (Hons; 2009) in Forensic Science and Biology from the University of Toronto, a Master of Science (2011) in Forensic Biology from the University at Albany (SUNY) and a Doctor of Philosophy (2018) in Molecular Genetics from the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas. Her educational training largely focused on the exploration of previously uncharacterized genetic markers for improved DNA mixture de-convolution of complex forensic profiles. Dr. Novroski is the recipient of numerous honors including two National Institute of Justice awards (2023; see Research), two Forensic Sciences Foundation (AAFS; 2022 and 2015) Douglas M. Lucas Grants, the Connaught New Researcher Award (2020) and the University of Toronto Mississauga Dean’s Award for Excellence (Faculty). She is the Editor-in-Chief of Forensic Genomics, a Member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the International Society of Forensic Genetics, an Active Member of the Scientific Research Honor Society Sigma Xi and was an inaugural ISHI Advisory Committee Member for Promega Corporation (2021-2023). Her publication record includes over 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 40 scientific communications, public abstracts and oral presentations as well as two book chapters. She is an ad hoc reviewer for multiple international journals in the areas of human and forensic genetics and serves on multiple boards and committees, including the Swiss National Science Foundation and the American Society of Human Genetics DNA Day Essay Contest.
Jamie McGregor, BSc
Jamie is a technician with the laboratory. She comes to the lab with a strong background in genetics, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Guelph, and is registered as a practicing genetics medical laboratory technologist in Ontario. She previously worked in molecular diagnostics with SickKids Hospital and is excited to apply her knowledge to the study of forensics. Despite being set on the field of genetics from day one of university, she has worked in a variety of different fields, including marine biology and plant biodiversity. Jamie loves science in all its forms and can be seen representing her passion with all kinds of nerdy apparel!
Outside of the lab, Jamie is a proud dog mama and avid crocheter - when her outfits aren’t nerdy, they’re homemade (and sometimes, they’re both)! She also loves to read and play video games, and is a competitive 5-pin bowler.
Samantha Leavers, HBSc
Sam Leavers is a first year Master’s student of Forensic Science at Laurentian University, and a visiting scholar in the Novroski Research Lab. She is primarily interested in the transfer of DNA evidence, as well as how to maximize the collection of DNA evidence using different techniques. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing and running.
Education:
2023- HBSc, Forensic Science, Laurentian University
Alexandra Bernyck, HBSc
Alex Bernyck is a first year Master's student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto. She is primarily interested in the genetic characterization of Canadian population groups. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.
Education:
2021 - HBSc, Biology, University of Toronto
Nicole Hinton, MSc
Nicole Hinton has over 13 years of military and law enforcement experience, with a diverse background in police and forensic work, geomatics, and technical intelligence exploitation.
Nicole holds a Masters of Public Safety with a concentration in National Security from Wilfrid Laurier University and a MSc in Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation from the University of Bradford. Nicole has research interests in DNA and genetics.
Anjalika Balasuriya, HBSc
Anjalika Balasuriya is a second year Master’s student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto. She is keenly interested in the rapidly developing field of forensic genetics and how massive parallel sequencing can further contribute to this area of research. Her current focus involves characterizing the Canadian South Asian population for human identity purposes. Outside of academia, she enjoys drawing, volunteering, and travelling.
Education:
2020 - HBSc, Forensic Biology Specialist, University of Toronto
Irem Eksioglu, HBSc
Irem is a first year Forensic Science Master's student at Laurentian University (and a visiting research student at UTM), with an undergraduate degree in biology. During her undergrad, she completed a project on the influences of splicing factors on sex specific patterns of size and shape in Drosophila melanogaster at the Dworkin Lab at McMaster University. She is particularly interested in population genetics and forensic DNA analysis.
Outside of her studies, Irem likes to spend time with her cat and draw. She also has a part-time job as a pharmacy assistant.
Education:
2023 -- HBSc, Biology, McMaster University
Shivani Gami
Shivani is a fourth-year student pursuing an HBSc in Biology with a specialized focus on forensic genomics and DNA analysis. As a passionate volunteer within our lab, Shivani actively contributes to ongoing research initiatives, focusing on SNP and STR characterization, as well as population data interpretation.
Shivani's aspirations extend to becoming a forensic biologist, with a vision of conducting her own impactful research and contributing to scientific publications. Her journey includes a continued pursuit of knowledge, with plans to pursue a master's degree.
Jasmeen Khosa
Jasmeen is a fifth-year student pursuing a double major in Forensic Science and Biology with a Chemistry minor. She is a volunteer at the Novroski Research Lab and aspires to become a forensic biologist.
During her time at UTM, she has shown a keen interest in areas such as STR profiling, analysis of biological fluids, and population genetics. She plans to attend graduate school for her future academic pursuits.
Outside of academics, she enjoys crocheting, watching kdramas, and singing.
Hannah Watson Van-Neste
Hannah is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Forensic Biology Specialist Program at the University of Toronto Missisauga. Her aspirations are to study medicine and become a forensic pathologist. Throughout her time at UTM, she has taken interest in topics such as population genetics, forensic STR profiling, and biological fluid analysis.
Outside of her academics, she enjoys drawing, watching anime, and playing video games.
Madison (Mard) DeWitt, HBSc
Mard is a volunteer at the Novroski Research lab with an Honor's Bachelor Degree in Science and is currently in the process of completing courses in support of her goal of obtaining a certification as a genetic medical laboratory technologist. During her undergraduate education, she learned valuable skills and knowledge related to forensic investigation, in particular but not limited to, genetics and DNA Analysis.
Outside of the lab, Mard works as a library page and embraces constantly learning. She also enjoys nature and running, and likes to travel around the world.
Education:
2022- HBSc, Forensic Biology Specialist, University of Toronto Mississauga
Mads Loewith
Mads Loewith is a third-year student pursuing an HBSc in UTM's Forensic Biology Specialist program.
Their academic interests include DNA sequencing, population genetics, and DNA transfer and persistence. After graduation, they plan to pursue graduate studies in forensic science and genetics.
When not studying, Mads enjoys reading, hiking, and fencing sabre.
Camila Torres
Camila is a third-year student in the Forensic Biology Specialist program at the University of Toronto Mississauga. She is a volunteer at the Novroski Research Lab and aspires to become a forensic biologist.
During her time at UTM, she nourished her passion for forensic biology and forensic identification, showing a keen interest in areas such as the study of DNA transfer and persistence, forensic genetic genealogy, and DNA phenotyping.
Outside of academics, Camila enjoys reading Stephen King novels, playing soccer, visiting cute coffee shops and painting.
Hailey Armstrong
Hailey Armstrong is a third-year student pursuing a double major in Forensic Science and Biology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. She is a volunteer at the Novroski Research Lab and aspires to pursue a career as a forensic biologist.
While at UTM, she has demonstrated a strong interest in STR profiling, analysis of bodily fluids, and DNA transfer. She intends to enroll in graduate school to further her academic goals.
Outside of her academics, Hailey enjoys reading, going to the gym, and travelling with her family and friends. She's also training to run a half marathon this upcoming summer.
Hiba Khan
Hiba is a third year UTM student completing a forensic biology specialist and chemistry minor. Her research experience lies in persistence of touch DNA from lip impressions and her academic interests include STR profiling from degraded/low level DNA samples and forensic genetic genealogy.
Hiba aspires to pursue a Master’s degree and become a forensic biologist and contribute to the development of the field with meaningful research. In her free time, Hiba loves to read and go on walks!
Katherine Glanville
Katherine is a second-year student pursuing a double major in Forensic Science and Biology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Upon completion of her program, she aspires to pursue graduate studies and work as a Forensic Identification Officer.
She is particularly interested in the fields of forensic genetic genealogy, microbial forensics, and forensic serology. Outside of the lab, Katherine enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Alsace Wu
Alsace is a third-year student pursuing a Forensic Biology Specialist program at the University of Toronto Mississauga. She is a volunteer at the Novroski Research Lab.
Her academic interests lie in forensic genetic genealogy, STR profiling and DNA mixtures. She aspires to pursue a career in Forensic Biology.
COLLABORATORS
The Research Lab at UNTHSC’s Center for Human Identification
The Biology Section at the Centre of Forensic Sciences
Dr. Ana Andreazza and the research team at MITO2i
Novroski Lab, Spring 2022.
Novroski Lab, Spring 2020.
LAB ALUMNI
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Rachel Shadoff, 2023 Master of Science Degree (conferred), University of Toronto
Ashley Moo-Choy, 2023 Master of Science Degree (conferred), University of Toronto
Laura Devine, 2022 Visiting Master’s Student (Trent University, Canada)
Michelle (Michie) Wu, 2021-2022 Collaborating Master’s Student in Biomedical Communications (University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada)
Loes Steller, 2020 Visiting Master’s Internship Student (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Kimberly Britton, 2019 Visiting Master’s Student (Trent University, Canada)
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Divya Rohit, 2023-2024 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student
Gabriela Romo Cortes, 2023-2024 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student
Simran Sandhu, 2023-2024 FSC489 Forensic Biology Independent Research Project Student
Trudy McKnight, 2023 Summer Undergraduate Student Research Award Student
Mikisha Lyle, 2023 Summer Undergraduate Student Research Award Student
Sona Tissington, 2022-2023 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student
Saria Siddiqui, 2022-2023 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student
Jude Sibai, 2022-2023 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student
Victoria Banh, 2021-2022 Forensic Science Work Study Student, Forensic Science Program
Ness Little, 2021-2022 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student
Virginia Chiu, 2021-2022 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student
Holly Reaume, 2021-2022 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student
Tajharae Jarrett, 2020-2021 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Student (Forensic Science)
Alexandra Bernyck, 2020-2021 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Student (Forensic Science)
Nammal Mahboob, 2020-2021 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Student (Forensic Science)
Talal Shaikh, 2020-2021 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Student (Forensic Science)
Yiyan Wu, 2020 Undergraduate Research Grant Awardee
Denisa Detkova, 2019-2020 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Student (Anthropology)
Jihwa Lim, 2019-2020 Forensic Science Work Study Student, Forensic Science Program
Jie Ying Huang, 2019-2020 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student
Alisha Bagga, 2019-2020 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student (Peel Regional Police)
Jesse Garcia, 2018-2019 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student (Peel Regional Police)
Amy Dylewska, 2018-2019 FSC481 Forensic Biology Undergraduate Internship Student (Ontario Police College)