Team Members

Thomas Ledergerber, B.S. 

Thomas Ledergerber is a doctoral student from the C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry at West Virginia University. He joined the Trejos research group in the Spring of 2022, studying innovative technology and comprehensive approaches for the interpretation of gunshot residue evidence. His research includes the use of fast ambient ionization mass spectrometry methods, techniques for enhancing the visualization and understanding of GSR deposition, and machine learning algorithms for the characterization of the residue. Thomas graduated from West Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2021.  Thomas' LinkedIn ORCHID ID: 0000-0002-9969-887X

Zachary Andrews, M.S.

Zachary Andrews is a doctoral student that works on the glass and physical fits research teams in the Trejos group. Since joining the team in the summer of 2019, Zach graduated with Bachelor (2020) and Master of Science (2022) degrees in forensic science from WVU. His research focuses on developing consensus-based methods for the examination, analysis, and interpretation of various types of glass by micro-X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (µXRF).

Lacey Leatherland, B.S.

Lacey Leatherland is a master’s student in the Trejos research group. Joining in Fall of 2022, Lacey’s research focuses on the use of interlaboratory studies for the development of consensus-based criteria for the elemental analysis of electrical tapes. She graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2021 with a B.S. in chemistry and physics and a minor in mathematics. Lacey's LinkedIn 

Leah Thomas, B.S.

Leah Thomas is a master’s student in the Trejos group and has been working on the GSR research project since summer of 2022. Leah’s research focuses on the innovation of mobile technologies used for the analysis of gunshot residue and a cost-benefit approach for implementation in crime laboratories. Additionally, Leah works as a research assistant on a state-funded project to improve the quality and efficiency of forensic science in Costa Rica. In May 2023, Leah graduated from WVU with a bachelor’s degree in forensic chemistry and minors in Spanish and philosophy. Leah's LinkedIn

Madison Lindung, B.S.

Madison Lindung is a master’s student who joined the Trejos research group in Spring 2022 as an undergraduate research assistant. Since then, she has worked on the GSR and polymer teams. Her master’s project focuses on the characterization and comparison of modern nail polish products as they relate to forensic evidence and its analysis. Madison graduated from WVU in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in forensic chemistry and minors in statistics and criminology. Madison's LinkedIn

Claire Dolton

Claire is a undergraduate researcher in the Trejos research group. Since joining in fall of 2022, her research has focused on the development of quantitative metrics to assist in physical fit examinations of tape and polymer evidence. Claire is in the forensic examiner major at WVU.

Katelin (Katie) Radonovich

Katie is a undergraduate researcher in the forensic examiner major at WVU. Since joining the Trejos group in the summer of 2022, Katie has worked in the polymers group analyzing glass, tapes, and other types of trace materials.

Addio Fiordigigli

Addio is a undergraduate researcher in the Trejos group majoring in forensic chemistry. Since joining in January 2023, Addio has worked in both the polymers and GSR research groups. His current research focuses on instrumental analysis of organic gunshot residue using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, flame ionization, and electrochemical detectors.

Liliana Barbosa

Liliana is a undergraduate researcher in the Trejos GSR research group. Her research focuses on the characterization of gunshot residue by ammunition type through the analysis of organic components via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Allison (Allie) Carranza

Allison, a undergraduate student studying forensic chemistry, is a researcher working on the analytical procedures of glass and nail polish evidence in the Trejos Group since joing in January 2024.

Brooke Weiss

Brooke is a undergraduate student majoring in forensic chemistry and joined the Trejos research group in January 2024. She focuses her research on the analysis of glass and gunshot residue.

Jenna Goldberg

Jenna is a undergraduate student in the forensic chemistry major and joined the Trejos research team in January 2024. She works on the polymers team to conduct research on nail polish samples.

Evie Brooks, MSFS

2020. WVU Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, Statistical assessment of the significance of fracture fits in trace evidence" (2020). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 7704.  https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/7704

Korina Menking Hoggatt, Ph.D. 

Spring 2021. WVU Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, Characterization of modern ammunition and background profiles: A novel approach and probabilistic interpretation of inorganic gunshot residue. Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 8336. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/8336

William (Bill) Feeney, Ph.D.

Fall 2021. WVU Department of Chemistry, Modified firearm discharge residue analysis utilizing advanced analytical techniques, complexing agents, and molecular dynamics. "Modified Firearm Discharge Residue Analysis utilizing Advanced Analytical Techniques, Complexing Agents, and Quantum Chemical Calculations" (2021). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 10302. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10302

Oriana Ovide, MSFS 

Summer 2022. WVU Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, "Identifying and Minimizing Sources of Variability Within Modern Spectroscopic Techniques for the Forensic Analysis of Glass" (2022). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 11413. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/11413

Courtney Vander Pyl, Ph.D.

Fall 2022. WVU Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, Expanding the capabilities of firearm investigations: Novel sampling and analytical methods for gunshot residue detection.  https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/11509

Meghan Prusinowski, Ph.D. 

Spring 2023. WVU Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, Enhancing the forensic comparison process of common trace materials through the development of practical and systematic methods. 11644. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/11644

Lauryn Alexander, Ph.D. 

May 2023. WVU Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, Strengthening the interpretation of glass and paint evidence through the study of random frequency of occurrence and analytical information. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/11683