ISHI Student Ambassadors
Where Are They Now?
Interview written and condensed by AnnaKay Kruger, Promega
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Every year, the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) offers an opportunity for students pursuing careers in forensic science to participate in the conference as student ambassadors. This Student Ambassador Program not only provides a front-row seat to the latest advances in human identification but also allows participants to network with seasoned professionals and thought leaders in the field. Here, we catch up with three former ISHI student ambassadors who share their personal journeys through the program. In this Q&A, former ambassadors Nidhi Sheth, Olivia McCarter and Allie Sherier reflect on how their experiences enriched their understanding of forensic science, bolstered their professional networks, and steered their career trajectories in meaningful ways.
Sheth, student ambassador in 2021, earned her master’s degree in forensic science from Pace University and completed her Ph.D. in Computational and Integrative Biology from Rutgers University Camden.
McCarter, also an ambassador in 2021, attended the University of South Alabama and graduated in May 2023 with a degree in anthropology.
Sherier served as an ambassador in 2019 and attended the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. She graduated in 2016 with an M.S. in Forensic Biology with Dr. Robert Allen and then worked for the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, in the Research and Development Lab with Dr. Bruce Budowle. She completed her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences in January 2022.
This article was lightly edited for length and ISHI Report style.
Where has your career taken you since graduating?
Nidhi: Since graduating, I've been working as a DNA Analyst for the Legal Aid Society in New York.
Olivia: I worked at the Mobile County Sheriff's Office until March of 2024, and recently started a job as a crime scene and evidence technician at Foley Police Department in Baldwin County, Alabama. I also co-own Moxxy Forensic Investigations, where we offer forensic investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) services, cold case consultations, and laboratory and funding assistance to support challenging investigations.
Allie: My career post-graduation feels like a wild ride. Before defending my dissertation, I accepted a job with Caris Life Sciences forming a new Pharmacogenomics team focusing on how to use genetics to guide drug selection for cancer treatment as a Data Scientist. I was then promoted to Bioinformatics Scientist, where I focused on sequencing data analysis and report generation for oncologists. I worked at Caris Life Sciences for two years before returning to academia. I loved parts of working in industry but greatly missed research and more traditional data science methods. During those two years at Caris, I was an Adjunct Professor at Abilene Christian University; I quickly fell in love with teaching, specifically machine learning and artificial intelligence courses. In March 2024, I started a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.
Did your time as an ISHI Student Ambassador play a role in how your career path evolved?
Nidhi: Being an ISHI Student Ambassador not only provided me with a sense of community but also boosted my confidence in presenting my work, which has been invaluable in shaping my career path.
Olivia: When I attended ISHI as a student ambassador, I had a chance to network with many individuals in the investigative genetic genealogy field. These people later became my peers, as I now co-own my own IGG company, Moxxy Forensic Investigations. I know that if I ever need advice, many of the other company heads would help me.
Allie: While my education and initial job post-Ph.D. are not a traditional straight line to a forensic genetics job, being an ISHI student ambassador made a big difference in my career. Being an ISHI student ambassador helped me learn more about science communication and networking. The friends and connections I made as an ISHI student ambassador set me up well to have connections nationwide. I talk to people I met as an ambassador to this day. Being an ISHI student ambassador also allowed me to talk to keynote speakers and several prominent names in forensics that I would have never had the courage to talk to on my own.
What was your experience having your work showcased on ISHI’s website and social channels?
Nidhi: Having my work showcased on ISHI’s website and social channels was a unique and beneficial experience. It provided exposure to a wide audience and increased awareness of the forensically relevant single-cell DNA research conducted in our lab under Dr. Catherine Grgicak’s supervision.
Olivia: There were a lot of interviews that [I did with ISHI] that have been used on their website and social channels. Many of my family and friends have watched these videos and read the articles online. I think they have gotten my work as an investigative genetic genealogist some good publicity.
Allie: It has been a HUGE resume/CV builder. The ability to put links to articles and video interviews on job applications has opened a lot of doors for me. The ability for potential employers to watch candid video interviews, poster presentations, and non-research write-ups of my work has gotten me in for interviews that I may not have had otherwise. Multiple people told me they looked at the links, and knowing I was good at presenting and communicating was a big reason they reached out to hear more about my experience.
Did you make any connections during ISHI that were particularly influential in your career? How did these relationships impact you?
Nidhi: I had the pleasure of making several valuable connections during ISHI. Learning about the advances in the field, especially from the experts, was invaluable. Connecting with fellow attendees was a source of great joy, and meeting Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick left a lasting impression on me. Additionally, interviewing Mark Desire was a privilege and provided valuable insights that impacted my career journey.
Olivia: Many of the people that I met at ISHI were people I had spoken to only online. Meeting them in person was a wonderful experience. I have kept many of these relationships and friendships and continue to hold many of these people dear to me.
Allie: From Promega, Tara, Ann, Carol, and Travis are some of my favorite people. They were happy to chat with me while I was looking for a job in 2022 when I graduated and again in 2024, when I started looking for a new job. Meeting other student ambassadors and learning about their research and career goals was an impactful experience that taught me a lot about other forensic graduate programs and potential career opportunities.
What was one of the most memorable experiences you had during the ISHI conference, and how did this experience enhance your understanding of forensic science?
Nidhi: One of my most memorable experiences during the ISHI conference was simply being selected as a student ambassador. It was an honor that allowed me to share my passion for single cell work and discuss my research with others. Moreover, sitting down with Mark Desire and learning about his experiences, particularly his involvement in 9/11, provided invaluable perspectives that enhanced my understanding of forensic science.
Olivia: My most memorable experiences at ISHI were not related to forensic science. When I was a student ambassador, ISHI was held at Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida. My favorite memories include hanging out with Kevin Lord of the DNA Doe Project/Intermountain Forensics and Cairenn Binder of Ramapo College. I felt like a little sister tagging along with her older siblings. We had a blast, and we continue to be close friends.
Allie: I was honored to be an ambassador in 2019 when Paul Holes and CeCe Moore came to ISHI. The significant shift in sequencing technology and the potential of forensic genealogy were big topics in 2019. While they are still a big focus of projects, ISHI does a great job of making sure to include emerging fields in forensic genetics. I learn something new at every ISHI conference I attend.
Looking back, how did the mentorship and collaborative opportunities offered at ISHI impact your personal and professional growth?
Nidhi: For future ISHI Student Ambassadors, I recommend fully immersing yourself in the ISHI experience. Take advantage of every opportunity to engage with the community, attend sessions, and participate in networking events. Don't hesitate to share your work and insights, as these interactions can lead to valuable connections and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Olivia: Network, network, network!!
Allie: Prepare for the conference! Review who is presenting. Try to attend at least one workshop. Make sure you try to go to as many posters as possible. Talk to the sales representatives at company tables — you never know when you might need that contact. If there is someone specific you want to meet, talk to, or even interview, tell the wonderful people who organize the ISHI Student Ambassador Program.You will be exhausted by the end of the conference, but this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Use every minute of it!
Have you kept in touch with any other former student ambassadors?
Nidhi: We still follow each other on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Olivia: Yes, I have stayed in touch with several former student ambassadors, and it's always a joy to see how they are progressing in their careers. I hope there are other ways for us to stay more connected.
Allie: For me there is not one big moment, but a bunch of small moments that helped me build a strong network with a wide range of forensic professionals. The insight into careers, areas of research, and potential collaborations is priceless.