Hey Everyone,
My name is Rachel Mannfeld. I am currently a senior enrolled at IUPUI. I will graduate in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Forensic & Investigative Sciences, Bachelor of Arts in Biology, and a minor in chemistry. Forensic science is considered to be application of science to the law, which I have always found fascinating. With my degrees I hope to land a job in a government crime laboratory where I will analyze biological evidence, as well as testify in court. My ultimate goal is join the FBI’s laboratory, but that’s still a while away.
I joined Dr. Kacena’s lab at the beginning of the Fall 2017 semester as part of my capstone for my biology degree, and I will continue to work in the lab until I graduate. During my time in the lab I have actually utilized many skills that are directly applicable to forensic science. I have also learned several new skills, however. One of my main roles in the lab has been to scan the mouse calvaria bones from the previous NASA study. It has been interesting to learn about the impact of space on the calvaria bone.
In my field of study, I have not necessarily been exposed to too much of the research aspect, so it has been a great experience to be in an Orthopaedics research lab and see all that goes into designing studies. My respect for those in research has definitely increased after seeing all the work that everyone puts in every day, and I hope to continue to learn from them as the months go on!
