Chemical Fingerprints: Bridging the Gap Between Analytical Chemistry and Social Justice

n the high-stakes environments of forensic investigation and national security, the ability to rapidly and reliably identify unknown substances in the field is a critical challenge. While traditional laboratory-based analytical methods offer high precision, they are often costly and restricted to stationary facilities. Dr. Raychelle Burks (American University) will discuss her research group’s work in developing low-cost, portable sensing platforms that utilize colorimetric and luminescent sensor arrays to detect compounds of interest, including explosives, illicit drugs, and chemical weapons.

By designing sensors that produce specific "chemical fingerprints" (visible color or light changes) upon interaction with target analytes, her research enables robust detection that can be captured via simple smartphone imaging and processed through modern chemometric analysis. This talk will explore the intersection of traditional wet chemistry and modern digital data analytics, highlighting how field-ready tools can increase accessibility in resource-limited environments. Furthermore, Dr. Burks will address the broader social impact of this work, examining how the development of reliable, presumptive field tests is essential for improving forensic accuracy and minimizing injustices within the legal system.

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.