Claire M. Cartozzo
1200 Semmes Avenue Apt. # 211
Richmond, Virginia 23224
Phone: (985) 855 - 6333
E-Mail: cartozzocm@vcu.edu
Education
Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA
GPA: 4.00
Hours: 9
Louisiana State University A&M, Baton Rouge, LA
Biological Sciences, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), May 2014
GPA 4.00
Hours: 125
Minor: Anthropology
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Forensic Science – Biology, Master of Science (M.S.)
GPA: 4.00
Hours: 21
Experience
Center for Academic Success, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Tutor, August 2011 - May 2012
Accountable for aiding fellow students in coursework previously completed with an A: Biology and Chemistry.
Helping students understand the material and guide them through homework problems until they could fully grasp
the concept and complete similar questions on their own.
BIOS, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Mentor, August of 2012 and 2013
Assisting professors and graduate students in welcoming incoming freshman majoring in Biological Sciences.
Introducing the students into college life, and offering tips that may help them throughout their first semester in
college based on personal experiences.
Louisiana State Police Crime Lab, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Intern, Summer 2013
Observing and assisting serologists and/or DNA analysts in their daily laboratory tasks and activities. Responsible
for checking in evidence, typing protocols and detailed notes, presumptive tests, itemizing exhibits into JusticeTrax,
restocking and cleaning the screening rooms, observing serologists make blood cards, assisting with bulk evidence
(such as screening vehicles), and occasionally helping Physical Evidence.
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Adjunct Instructor, Fall 2014 – Present
Responsible for teaching BIOZ 151, an introduction to biology lab for biology majors, to VCU students.
Accountable for preparing materials for weekly labs, designing lab power points, instructing the students each lab
as to their in-class and out-of-class work, grading lab reports and providing feedback, proctoring exams, and
holding office hours.
Research Experience
The Effect of Accumulated Temperature on DNA Quantity and Quality in Waterlogged Bone and the
Determination of Postmortem Interval Using Microbial Sequencing
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Singh Lab, Summer 2015 – Spring 2016
Committee Members: Dr. Tal Simmons, Dr. Baneshwar Singh, Dr. Bonnie Brown, Dr. Edward Boone
The goal of this study is to examine the quantity and quality of DNA recovered from waterlogged skeletal remains
over a six-month period, while determining which extraction method, organic phenol-chloroform, DNeasy Blood
and Tissue Kit (Qiagen), or ChargeSwitch® gDNA Plant Kit, works best for the isolation of DNA from skeletal
remains found in water. In addition, it is of interest to compare the micro-biomes present over time to provide a
method of estimation for postmortem submersion interval.
Related Coursework [LSU]
General Biology I & II, General Biology Lab I & II, Genetics, Microbiology, Microbiology Lab, Cell Biology,
Biochemistry, Evolution, Ecology, Ecology Lab, Vertebrate Physiology, Vertebrate Physiology Lab, Eukaryote
Molecular Genetics, General Research, General Chemistry I & II, General Chemistry Lab, Organic Chemistry I &
II, Organic Chemistry Lab, Physics I & II, Physics Lab I & II, General Anthropology I & II, World Archeology,
Biological Anthropology, Human Osteology, Human Evolutionary Biology, Forensic Anthropology, Statistical
Methods I
Related Coursework [VCU]
Microscopy, Microscopy lab, Forensic Chemistry: Instrumentation, Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis, Forensic
Serology and DNA Analysis Lab, Advanced DNA Analysis, Statistical Methods I, Criminal Law and Procedures,
Patterns, Crime Scene Investigation, Developmental Osteology, Directed Research, Population Genetics, Molecular
Genetics
Awards and Honors
Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Award recipient, May 2010
Joann Gros Scholarship, May 2010
College Reading and Learning Association Certification, January 2012
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Inductee, March 2013
Phi Beta Kappa Inductee, April 2014
LSU’s Highest Academic Achievement Award “The University Medal”, May 2014
LSU Summa Cum Laude Graduate, May 2014
AAFS Student Member, February 2015
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