Eye Spy: Colorful Visualizations for Forensic Applications

After working in a crime lab, Dr. Burks returned to academia, teaching, and forensic science research. An analytical chemist, she enjoys the challenge of developing detection methods for a wide-variety of compounds. Her research team is focused on the development of colorimetric and luminescent chemosensor arrays for the detection of analytes of mainly forensic and national security interests with accompanying image and chemometric analysis. To maximize the portability of their analytical systems, Dr. Burks' team uses laptops, tablets, and smartphones for image collection and data processing. Beyond forensics and national security, there are a variety of fields where low cost and reliable rapid screening methods are needed. Dr. Burks collaborates with colleagues in a variety of fields to provide application-specific, field-ready chemosensing systems. In this presentation, Dr. Burks will discuss the latest research being conducted in her laboratory. 

About Dr. Burks: Dr. Burks is a forensic chemist, award-winning science communicator, and Provost Associate Professor of Chemistry at American University. A Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and recent recipient of the prestigious ACS Grady-Stack Award (joining the ranks with Isaac Asimov), Dr. Burks is renowned for her research in forensic sensors and her ability to make science accessible through national television, podcasts, and major conventions like DragonCon.

Lunch will be provided.