Faculty Advisors
Brandt Cassidy, Ph.D.
Dr. Cassidy is currently an Associate Professor in the Forensic Science Institute and Department of Biology at the University of Central Oklahoma. As the former Laboratory Director for DNA Solutions, Inc. with twenty years of human and wildlife identification work, he has participated in a wide variety of investigative and supervisory roles in human and wildlife forensics. Dr. Cassidy served 18 years as Laboratory Director and Technical Leader for DNA Solutions. Dr. Cassidy directed laboratory human relationship testing and investigations to support law enforcement agencies across the United States in sensitive and complex crimes involving human and wildlife victims. Over the years, Dr. Cassidy oversaw the implementation of new technologies in the laboratory such as capillary electrophoresis, real-time PCR analysis, mitochondrial sequence analysis, and unidentified human remains identification through forensic genealogy. He has testified in local, state and federal court both for the prosecution and defense. Dr. Cassidy has co-authored over fifty scientific articles and book chapters, and lectures extensively throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Cassidy’s research interests include the application of massively parallel sequencing in forensic analysis, probabilistic genotype analysis for DNA mixture deconvolution and wildlife forensics.
Caitlin Porterfield, M.S.
Ms. Porterfield received a BS with Honors in Biochemistry from the University of Oklahoma and an MS in Forensic Science with an emphasis in DNA analysis from the University of Central Oklahoma. Her thesis research focused on the genetic, microscopic, and chemical evaluation of processed human hair extensions for their probative value in forensic casework. Currently, Ms. Porterfield is a Forensic Science Instructor at the University of Central Oklahoma. Her courses focus on the forensic analysis of impression evidence to include firearms and toolmarks, fingerprints, and tire tread/shoe print impressions. She also serves as the Forensic Science Learning Community Coordinator, the Student Academy of Forensic Science Advisor, and is on the board for the Forensic Science Education Counsel.
Prior to her employment with UCO, Ms. Porterfield was employed as a chemistry teacher at Conroe High School in Conroe, Texas. Through her teaching experiences, she developed consistent skills in classroom management and participated in innovative curricula designed to instruct individual students, small groups, and large classes. Her work experience included identifying student individualism and developing educational programs to accommodate different learning styles. As the Chemistry Department Chair, she was responsible for developing curriculum and instruction. This position required a strong initiative to set high standards for teaching goals and student achievement.
