Today@Sam Article

SHSU Participating In National Forensic Science Research Collaboration

Jan. 18, 2024
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

Sam Houston State University is partnering with Florida International University (FIU) and Texas A&M University (TAMU) in Phase II of the nation’s only forensic science Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC). The Center for Advanced Research in Forensic Science (CARFS) brings together top academic forensic science researchers to develop solutions to industry partners’ top needs. The CARFS Phase II award is a five-year endeavor with intended funding of $4.25 million.

“Under the center leadership at FIU, we are really excited to be partnering on Phase II of CARFS,” Sarah Kerrigan, CARFS SHSU site director and SHSU Institute for Forensic Research, Training and Innovation (IFRTI) director said. “The National Science Foundation’s IUCRC program offers unique benefits to industry, universities and government by providing industry with access to talent, promoting unique opportunities for our students, leveraging research dollars while encouraging networking and collaboration across partner institutions.”

The National Science Foundation’s IUCRC program generates breakthrough research by enabling close and sustained engagement between industry innovators, world-class academic teams and government agencies.

“Each university truly brings unique strengths to this partnership,” said Kenneth G. Furton, CARFS Center Director and Global Forensic and Justice Center executive director at FIU. “It’s called a cooperative research center for a reason – because, in the end, we’re all working towards a common goal of strengthening justice through forensic science.”

The CARFS industry advisory board (IAB) comprises of government agencies, private industry and non-profit organizations including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. IAB members also provide funding to support the research efforts. When combined with The National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Justice’s $750,000 IUCRC base award, available research funding totals $4.25 million.

IAB members identify their top research needs and partner with the academic sites within CARFS to engage in cutting-edge research. During CARFS Phase I, 20 industrial partners collaborated and supported more than 40 faculty and 75 students. These individuals were involved in 65 different projects, culminating in hundreds of conference papers, more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and six patents.

Funded by the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

For more information:
Sam Houston State University
SHSU Institute for Forensic Research Training and Innovation (IFRTI)
SHSU College of Criminal Justice and Department of Forensic Science

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