My name is Alyssa Daniel, but I go by Allie.  I am originally from Davenport, Iowa. I graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry with minors in Biology and Forensic Science & Justice from Saint Ambrose University in 2017. I then ventured to Knoxville, Tennessee, where I obtained a M.S. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2020. My research at UTK focused on using Raman Spectroscopy for use in forensic applications such as bone fracture aging and post-mortem interval determination. After moving back to Iowa, I worked as a contract chemist at Proctor and Gamble in the chromatography division. I currently work as an environmental lab analyst at the State Hygienic Lab in Coralville.

I have always been interested in the intersection between biology, chemistry, and forensics, which is why I chose to pursue a PhD in human toxicology. I was drawn to this program because I had an amazing experience doing undergraduate research in the ISURP program here at Iowa, and the program offers a wide range of research options along with flexibility. In the future, I hope to be a forensic toxicologist. When I am not working in the lab, I enjoy hiking, wave running, reading, playing soccer, and hanging out with my cat, Oreo.

Advisor: Marie Gaine, PhD