Madeline McLeod

Madeline McLeod, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at St. Mary's University, joining the institution in August 2024. She teaches undergraduate courses in forensic science and general biology.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Forensic Science, Sam Houston State University
• B.S. in Biology, Texas A&M University

Research Focus: Dr. McLeod specializes in advancing forensic DNA analysis for non-human species and challenging human samples including touch DNA, mitochondrial DNA, mixed templates, and degraded DNA. Her work develops next-generation sequencing methods to enhance forensic identification accuracy and applicability in criminal investigations.

Publication Analysis: Her research output reveals dual expertise in forensic botany (particularly Cannabis and Papaver species analysis) and molecular aging mechanisms. Recent publications emphasize forensic applications, with significant contributions to plant DNA profiling for drug differentiation and biogeographical tracking, alongside innovations in human DNA recovery from complex evidence.

Professional Experience: Prior to her faculty role, Dr. McLeod served as a Molecular Biologist at Signature Science, LLC, where she led government-contracted forensic DNA research and acted as subject matter expert for multi-disciplinary teams.