Kelly Elkins

Professor

Kelly Elkins

Contact Info

Phone:
410-704-6217
Office:
Science Complex, Room 4301 D
Email:
kmelkins@towson.edu
Hours:
9-11 am Mon & 9-10 am Wed

Education

B.A., Chemistry
Keene State College

B.S., Biology
Keene State College

M.A., Chemistry
Clark University

Ph.D., Chemistry
Clark University

Fulbright Scholar
European Media Laboratory (Heidelberg, Germany)

Postdoctoral Fellow
MIT

Areas of Expertise

- DNA recovery
- DNA typing using capillary electrophoresis and massively parallel sequencing
- Development of species identification assays for food borne pathogens
- Detection and analysis of new psychoactive substances and counterfeit drugs
- Co-director of the TU Human Remains Identification Laboratory (THRIL)

Research Interests

  • The application of next generation sequencing (NGS) to forensic samples using massively parallel sequencing (MPS) to analyze DNA extracted from modern and historic period human remains.
  • Using ForenSeq and Imagen kits to predict forensic DNA phenotyping of externally visible characteristics.
  • Developing new tools to aid in the analysis of the DNA sequence data.
  • The application of genetic genealogy to solve cold cases and help augment the historical record and provide closure to familes.
  • Developing real-time PCR assays to probe individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to aid in the detection and identification of foodborne pathogens that have been used as bioterror agents and 'legal high' drug substances.

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