…distinguish between lubricant samples and that a database of those distinguishing markers would be beneficial to the community. Funding from the NIJ grant will be utilized to support a postdoctoral researcher and one fellowship for a PhD graduate student. Money will also cover tuition, fees, and materials in addition to providing the students stipends.
Bridge has also received a service contract with the Orlando Public Defender’s Office to develop a website that will educate prosecution and defense attorneys on the realities of forensic science analysis. The effort will help the Central Florida court system understand the benefits and limitations of forensic science.
Dr. Bridge has also applied for and received an In-House Award from UCF. This award provided seed money for another research idea to understand how the human body can degrade lubricants prior to forensic analysis.
Dr. Bridge’s dream of being involved in chemistry began when she was just 13 years old and she stayed the course. She received an American Chemical Society Certified BS degree in chemistry at Howard University before obtaining a PhD in analytical chemistry with a focus on forensic science at UCF. She conducted post-doctoral research at the Center for Research and Educational Optics and Lasers (CREOL) at UCF and began teaching chemistry at Howard University shortly thereafter.