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Faculty who engage and inspire
At Trent, you thrive by living and working alongside some of the best faculty from across Canada and around the world. The Forensic Science program is home to an impressive team of scientific experts and respected professionals who are equally valued by students for their exceptional teaching abilities. They bring years of knowledge and field skills to the classroom, in areas such as DNA analysis, forensic entomology, criminology, bloodstain pattern analysis, wildlife forensics, plant pathogen forensics, court room proceedings, and policing expertise in organized crime and homicide.
At Trent our staff does their best
to ensure you get the education
you deserve and need in order to
succeed in today's work force. For
more individual details, click on
our names:
| Sharon Beaucage-Johnson |
Placement Officer |
I am the Placement Officer for the Forensic Science program. My job is primarily to facilitate the placement process with second year students in the professional program. In addition to this role, I also teach the placement course and the fourth-year community-based education course.
I bring to the department a variety of experience. Prior to Trent, I worked as a group facilitator and employment counsellor with Vocational Visions, an employment agency in Peterborough. My workshops focused on job search, career direction, presentation, communication and life skills. I also operated my own business as a business plan writer and small business consultant. Other past experience includes work with Fleming College as an instructor, curriculum co-ordinator and job developer.
I graduated from Trent University with an Honours B.A. One of the pieces of research of which I am extremely proud is my work as a primary researcher for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. I had the opportunity to spend a summer in Fort Simpson, N.W.T. learning about the traditional way of life in the north. In addition to working in the Forensic Science program, I am also a part-time Master’s student in the Frost Centre where my research focus (today, anyway) is ethics in law enforcement. |
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| Kelvin Conrad |
Trent Assistant Professor |
| Over my career, I have taught a variety of courses and researched various topics from the esoteric to the very applied. I have most recently become interested in the growing urgency to make forensic science "more scientific". I bring a diverse scientific background to teaching the scientific aspects of forensic science. I'm now specializing in distance education and online courses for the university. |
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| Joanna Freeland |
Chair, Forensic Science
and Trent Associate Professor |
| I am cross-appointed to the Department of Biology. My research is using molecular genetic data to address questions such as the relationship between environmental change and genetic diversity, the taxonomic status of endemic fauna, the extent to which populations are interconnected by gene flow, and the importance of genetic lineage to the invasibility of plant populations. |
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| Lesley Hewett |
Laboratory Demonstrator |
Thank you for your interest in the Forensic Science Program at Trent. My name is Lesley Hewett and I am the lab demonstrator. I graduated from the Forensic Science program in 2008 and have gladly returned to Trent after gaining experience in local private laboratories.
You will see me regularly throughout your Forensics degree. I teach all the labs in the department. You will have the opportunity to work in our fully functional DNA lab as well as our most recent addition, the Crime Scene House.
No matter what your specific interests are, it won’t be hard for you to find your niche in this program. Through a wide range of exercises, you will experience evidence collection, fingerprint development, bloodstain pattern analysis, DNA profiling and many other forensic activities. Not only do you get to learn the theory behind the science, you can actually get your hands dirty too!
This is an excellent program and a great overall experience and I look forward to the chance to share it with you! |
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| Mike Illes |
Trent Faculty |
| Mike Illes received his B.Sc. Degree in Anthropology and his M.Sc. Degree in Environmental and Life Sciences (focus on bloodstain pattern analysis) at Trent University. At present he works for the Ontario Provincial Police within the Investigation and Support Bureau as a Forensic Identification Regional Manager and the Provincial Bloodstain Pattern Analyst Program Manager. He is a part-time faculty member with the Department of Forensic Science, Trent University and the Chair of the SWGSTAIN Research Subcommittee. He has taught in Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, and Switzerland on forensic science. Mike has provided expert opinion evidence in the Canadian, the United States and the Netherlands court systems. He is actively involved in crime-scene research and, in addition to bringing first-hand experience to Trent Students, he provides training in scientific methodology to police officers. |
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| Christopher Kyle |
Trent Assistant Professor |
| Research Chair in Wildlife Genetics and Forensics.
My research interests include Landscape and Molecular Epidemiology,
Landscape and Conservation Genetics and
Molecular Applications in Forensic Entomology. I currently teach the 1st year "Introduction to Forensic Science", the 3rd year DNA Laboratory Forensics and co-ordinate the Forensics Summer Camps for highschool students. |
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| Barry Saville |
Trent Associate Professor |
| I am interested in microbial forensics and, more specifically, plant pathogen forensics. I am using the model pathogen Ustilago maydis to develop DNA-based tests for species and strain identification in a forensics context. This fungus has been indicated as a potential vehicle for biocrime.
I teach the recently-created course on Biocrime and Bioterrorism and although currently on sabbatical, I usually teach the 'Independent Project' and 'Research Thesis' courses. |
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| Rhonda L Smith |
Trent Faculty |
| An experienced teacher, speaker, advisor, facilitator, advocate and problem-solver, Rhonda has a Bachelor of Commerce (Hon.s) and Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University, as well as a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School. Rhonda brings to all of endeavours a diverse work history which enhances her effectiveness. In her early legal years she practiced criminal law as both Crown and Defence Counsel, as well as labour, employment and family law. She has worked with the Ontario Government in a variety roles. She also worked in Yukon Territory for the Public Service Commission in Federal/Territorial negotiations. She now operates a mixed practice of law and mediation specific to workplace matters. She is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, and ADR Institutes of Ontario and Canada. |
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| Robyn Calvert |
Academic/Administrative Secretary |
| Robyn is the first point of contact for the department. If you have questions, Robyn knows where to find the answers. |
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| Paul Wilson |
Trent Associate Professor |
| Canada Research Chair in DNA Profiling, Forensic Science & Functional Genomics
Research: Conservation Genetics on species such as caribou, polar bears, Canada lynx and wolves; Wildlife Forensic Science; Landscape Genetics; and Functional Genetics of clock genes in natural populations.
Teaching: BIOL-FRSC 4600H Applied Molecular Genetics, BIOL-Species-at-Risk Biology & Policy, BIOL4400Y Internship in Conservation Biology |
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