The Charger Blog
Several alumni of the University鈥檚 undergraduate and graduate programs in forensic science and graduate program in forensic technology are now applying what they learned in the classroom to their work at Bode Technology, a company that specializes in DNA testing.
December 2, 2022
When Chrissy Campanelli 鈥21 M.S. was growing up, she loved watching the popular show "NCIS". She wanted to be just like Abby, the forensic scientist on the show.
Campanelli was inspired to pursue her own career in forensic science. After earning her master鈥檚 degree in forensic technology from the University of New Haven, she began working for , specializing in evidence sampling. Within a year, she was promoted to forensic DNA technologist. She鈥檚 now being trained to perform DNA analysis, including extraction, separation, and detection of a DNA profile.
鈥淢y degree focused primarily on how to identify and collect evidence from crime scenes,鈥 said Campanelli. 鈥淭he courses I took provided me the forensic knowledge required to work in a forensic laboratory. Throughout my studies, I also met those who presented Bode Technology to me as a career opportunity.鈥
Campanelli is one of at least 11 Chargers who now work for the Virginia-based Bode Technology, which provides DNA testing on current and backlogged cases. Her colleague and fellow forensic DNA technologist Kenny Jean-Bart 鈥22 M.S. also earned her master鈥檚 degree in forensic technology. She chose the program because she already had some lab 黑料社 and wanted to learn more about the dynamics of crime scene investigation, as well as how it connects with analyses done in the lab.
As a Charger, Jean-Bart was a member of the University鈥檚 , serving as the sergeant in arms during her final year. It was through her involvement in the club that she learned about the . When she attended, she met representatives from Bode Technology, which, ultimately, led to her job offer.
鈥淢y favorite thing about my job 鈥 and forensics in general, really 鈥 is that to me it feels like I'm putting together a puzzle,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e only get a snippet of the case as a whole, but using the information we do get to make decisions that could potentially help get victims justice feels amazing.鈥
Kaitlyn Gencarelli 鈥19, also a forensic DNA technologist, earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees in biology and forensic science from the University. She says her classes and labs enabled her to learn all the aspects of forensic lab work that are now key parts of her job, such as sterile techniques and how to handle a variety of specimens.
A member of Bode Technology鈥檚 North Carolina team, Gencarelli samples the evidence sent by clients. She and her team are also working to process the state鈥檚 backlog of sexual assault kits.
鈥淭his includes maintaining a proper chain of custody, sampling evidence such as swabs, underwear, and sanitary pads,鈥 explains Gencarelli, who also earned a master鈥檚 degree in forensic medicine from the . 鈥淚 love knowing I am providing some form of justice for the victims, and I like knowing I can make a difference. I hope to continue my career in forensics, possibly by going into physical science or death investigation.鈥
For the past year, Michael 鈥淚ke鈥 Ireland 鈥21 was a member of the sampling team at Bode Technology, processing evidence to best allow for extraction of DNA. Recently promoted to be a forensic DNA technologist, he is now a member of the lab support team. He enjoys taking an 鈥渁ctive part in the criminal justice process,鈥 helping to process the backlog of sexual assault kits. He says his time as a forensic science major at the University prepared him well.
鈥淚 didn't fully appreciate the classes I took until I started working here and I had the opportunity to employ the lessons I鈥檇 learned,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ecause of my University of New Haven education, I am able to fully grasp the concepts and practices far more readily. I am grateful to all of my professors. Their time teaching the next generation goes so far, further than most realize.鈥
Campanelli, the grad of the master鈥檚 program in forensic technology, is still 鈥渙bsessed鈥 with "NCIS", and she鈥檚 excited that she鈥檚 now working in a lab just like Abby, doing what 鈥淚 always wanted to do.
鈥淲orking at Bode surrounds me with co-workers who are able to bring light to my day, even on the cloudy ones, and who enjoy their job just as much as I do,鈥 she continued. 鈥淚 love knowing the work I do truly makes a difference in the victims鈥 lives. While sometimes the individual work we do seems small, working together as a team really makes a huge difference, and that鈥檚 what keeps me going.鈥
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