Research Lab: Eduardoff

Dr. Eduardoff, fondly known as Dr. E, is an Assistant Professor in Forensic Science at Sam Houston State University. She received her graduate degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Innsbruck, Austria and her PhD in Genetics and Genomics – with her research in forensic genetics – from the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria. She has worked for several international organizations in the field of missing persons and was Head of the DNA laboratory of the International Commission of Missing Persons (ICMP) in the Hague Netherlands.

Her research focuses on the fundamental understanding of how DNA degradation relates to human decomposition and using science to improve genetic identification for missing persons. With hands-on experience as a practitioner, she has a thorough understanding of the gaps that need to be addressed to bring efficient scientific methods into routine DNA laboratories. Her passion lies in advancing DNA extraction and Sequencing Technology for highly degraded human remains to make them more accessible for practitioners while also promoting best practices in statistical analysis for identifying missing persons and unidentified human remains.

Dr. E’s journey has taken her across the globe, and she brings this international perspective to the SHSU Forensic Science Department. Her team of graduate students tackles forensic science challenges worldwide, with a special focus on migration, post conflict and DVI contexts.

She is a full member of the Scientific Committee of the Human Identification Laboratory (LabIH) at the Center for Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology (CAAF) at the Federal University of São. CAAF has carried out research on serious human rights violations, with emphasis on the analysis of the bone remains of the Vala Clandestina de Perus (Perus Common Grave), with an extensive forensic report, the forwarding of the Crimes of May 2006 case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States. She also has an extensive collaboration with several practitioner agencies, among those are the Centre of Human Identification (CRIH) in Coahuila, Mexico and the University of North Texas Human Identification Laboratory. She entertains many research collaborations, among which most are interdisciplinary with international experts in chemistry, anthropology, and biology.

Outside of her academic and research endeavors, Dr. E dedicates her time to horses and horsemanship. A skilled and passionate horse woman, she provides pro bono horseback riding lessons to children, sharing her love for the discipline and fostering confidence and skill in young riders. Whether advancing forensic science in the laboratory and in the classroom or nurturing future horse people, Dr. E’s commitment to excellence and mentorship is evident in all aspects of her life.