June 2002 Meeting

New Advances in DNA Technology

The June 2002 Connecticut Separation Science Council was held at Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory.

Due to the unique nature of this meeting, the following stipulations apply:

·        You must register by email to jason_a_leonard@groton.pfizer.com by Friday, June 7, 2002.
·        You must be pre-registered in order to attend.
·        Due to the graphic nature of the material presented, you must be 18 years of age or older to register.
·        Due to limited space, registration will be completed on a first come first serve basis.

Michael T. Bourke, Ph.D. -- Criminalist, Laboratory Physical Evidence; CODIS State Administrator; DNA Unit Manager

1993 to Present -- Criminalist, Connecticut State Police Forensic Laboratory, Criminalistics Section, DNA unit; Meriden, CT

Analysis of evidentiary material including the collection of trace and serological evidence samples.  Primary duties are forensic DNA analysis of submitted or collected biological materials and the development and validation of additional DNA tests. Operation and supervision of the CODIS State DNA Database and management and oversight of the DNA unit at the Forensic Science Laboratory.

1995 to Present -- Adjunct Professor, University of New Haven, School of Forensic Science

1996 to Present -- Visiting Faculty, Wesleyan University Graduate Liberal Studies Program

1998 to Present -- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

1991 to 1993 -- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Laboratory of Dr. Gary S. Stein;  Department of Cell Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester MA.  

Characterization of the interactions of cell-cycle regulated transcription factors with the promoter of Human histone H4 gene and the interaction of tissue and development regulated factors with the promoter of the Rat osteocalcin gene.  Purification of protein transcription factors that interact with the promoters of Human histone H4 and Rat osteocalcin genes.

Supervision of a senior graduate student in the performance of independent research leading to the completion of a doctoral dissertation.

1985 to 1990 -- Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, Laboratory of Dr. Linda D. Strausbaugh; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.

Analysis and structural characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster histone locus.  Cloning and characterization of specific histone locus structural elements.  The analysis culminated in DNA sequence analysis of a number of conserved histone repeat units.  In collaboration with Dr. Claire Berg, University of Connecticut, developed a probe based mapping strategy for sequencing with mobile primer binding sites.

Five and one half years experience supervising and instructing honors undergraduate students in the completion of independent research projects.

Four years experience teaching undergraduate courses as a graduate assistant: Four semesters leading a discussion section for Basic Genetics, Three semesters leading laboratory sections for Principals of Biology.  One semester assisting at laboratory sections of Isotopic Tracers in Biological Research.

Education:

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Cell Biology; 1991-1993; University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA.  Research focus: Isolation and characterization of DNA binding proteins in the proximal promoter of the Human histone H4 gene.; Laboratory of Dr. Gary Stein 

Ph.D.

Molecular and Developmental Genetics; 1991; The University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.  Thesis: "Molecular Characterization of the Histone Locus of Drosophila melanogaster": Laboratory of Dr. Linda D. Strausbaugh

B.S.       General Biology; 1985; Cornell University, Ithaca.  NY

From I-91 South:  Take Exit 18 to Route 691 West.  Continue to Exit 6 (Lewis Ave).  At the end of the ramp, continue across Lewis Ave. between the commuter parking lots and then bear to the right and follow the road into the complex.  The Forensic Lab is the building with the bright green roof.

From I-91 North:  Take Exit 17 to Exit 68W.  This will put you on Route 691 West.  Continue to Exit 6 (Lewis Ave).  At the end of the ramp, continue across Lewis Ave. between the commuter parking lots and then bear to the right and follow the road to the complex. The Forensic Lab is the building with the bright green roof.

From Route 15 Southbound or Northbound:  Follow sign junction with I-691. Take Exit 68 W  (Westbound I-691 toward Waterbury). Take Exit 6 (Lewis Ave.).  At the end of the ramp, continue across Lewis Ave. between the commuter parking lots and then bear to the right and follow the road to the complex. The Forensic Lab is the building with the bright green roof.

From I-84:  Take the "Meriden- 691" exit to Exit 7 (Meriden Downtown Exit).  Following street to the end.  Turn left onto Colony Street.  Go under the bridge to the first driveway and take a left between two stone pillars at 278/294 Colony Street.  Go to the top of driveway and the Forensic Lab is on the left (Bright green roof).

State of Connecticut
Department of Public Safety
Division of Scientific Services
Connecticut State Police
Forensic Science Laboratory
278 Colony Street
Meriden, Connecticut 06451