Nadia Parker, a senior forensic science student, will represent Alabama State University at the prestigious Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, from April 4-6 after earning a coveted selection by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Parker will present her research on postmortem interval determination using blowfly larvae, a project she conducted under the mentorship of Gulnaz Javan, Ph.D., a forensic science professor and coordinator of the university’s forensic biology program.
“I did not think I was going to win,” Parker said. “When I saw the email saying ‘Congratulations,’ I thought it was a mistake. I had to check with Dr. Javan, and she told me it was real. I was so shocked and excited because I had just submitted the abstract thinking it was like applying to med school, not really expecting to get picked.”
Javan, who leads the university’s Thanatos Laboratory, has been a driving force behind forensic science research at the university. Her research spans multiple projects, including microbial diversity in cadavers, gene expression after death and forensic entomology.
“We are investigating whether gene expression persists after death,” Javan said. “Additionally, we work with national and international cadavers, focusing on the role of microorganisms in decomposition.”
Parker, who has always been fascinated by forensic science, credited her love for solving crimes to TV shows like Law & Order and Criminal Minds. However, she noted that her hands-on experience in the university’s forensic program solidified her passion for the field.
“I really love crime shows, but I do not like the gory parts,” Parker said. “I just love the idea of helping solve crimes, and forensic science allows me to do that in a meaningful way. My mentor, Dr. Javan, helped me get even more interested in the field and led me to this research.”
Parker’s research aligns with one of the lab’s core projects: determining the postmortem interval through insect activity.
“Blowflies are the first insects to arrive at a body, often within one to three hours of death, depending on the season,” Javan explained. “Their life cycle follows a predictable pattern; eggs hatch into larvae, progress through multiple instar stages, pupate and emerge as adults. By analyzing these stages, forensic investigators can estimate the time of death.”
Parker described the experimental process, explaining how she and her team studied decomposition under controlled conditions.
“We took a pig into a secluded area of the woods where no one could disturb it,” Parker said. “We left it there for 10 days, checking it twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, to collect data. The bugs began appearing almost immediately, and their presence and development stages help us estimate how long a body has been dead.”
Javan emphasized that this research is critical for law enforcement, as the results are closely aligned with human decomposition patterns.
“This work helps forensic investigators when bodies are found after an extended period,” she said. “The insects provide a biological clock that can guide time-of-death estimates when traditional methods are no longer viable.”
The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) played a critical role in supporting Parker’s research. Komal Vig, Ph.D., the director of MSEIP at the university and professor of biology in the department of Biological Sciences, highlighted the program’s impact.
“This is a program we started in 2015, funded by the U.S. Department of Education,” Vig said. “It provides professional development opportunities, internships and research experience to students. We offer internships to about 12 to 15 students per semester, where they receive mentorship and financial support while gaining hands-on experience.”
Vig noted that Parker’s selection is a testament to the success of the program.
“One of the biggest challenges for underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is awareness of opportunities,” Vig said. “Many of our students are first-generation college students, and their families are not always aware of what STEM fields can offer. When students like Nadia attend conferences, they not only learn from others but also inspire their peers.”
Attending national conferences can be transformative for students, according to Vig.
“When they get a chance to present at a meeting like this, it expands their knowledge and network,” Vig said. “Many of our students board a plane for the first time to attend these events. They meet others who share their interests and learn about opportunities they may not have known about otherwise.”
Javan echoed this sentiment, explaining that the university’s students have attended the ERN Conference for 10 consecutive years.
“Each year, I invite enthusiastic students to join my lab, where they learn essential forensic science techniques,” Javan said. “They practice research methods, write abstracts and prepare presentations. This rigorous training ensures they are ready to compete at a national level.”
Parker, who aspires to become a crime scene investigator, believes her research will enhance her ability to contribute to forensic investigations in the future.
“This research is valuable because knowing how to estimate the time of death is crucial in solving crimes,” Parker said. “It’s exciting to know that my work can help detectives and forensic teams in real investigations.”
Javan prepares her students for careers in forensic science based on their professional goals.
“When a student tells me they want to enter the workforce, I emphasize hands-on skills like DNA analysis and forensic entomology,” she said. “If they want to pursue academia, I assign them research papers, teach them how to write scientific publications and help build their CV (curriculum vitae).”
As forensic science continues to evolve, Javan believes artificial intelligence and machine learning will play an increasing role in forensic investigations.
“We are beginning to integrate machine learning techniques into postmortem microbiome studies,” Javan said. “With additional funding and collaboration, I hope to further enhance our research capabilities.”