The X in Forensixx
Dr. Rhonda K. Roby, a world-renowned scientist and one of our nation's top DNA scientists, has led an exciting and notable career. Currently, Dr. Roby conducts research and development of methods at the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification for the Center’s Missing Persons Program and has recently been nominated for “Extraordinary Doctor of the Year” at the University of Granada. Dr. Roby served as the Technical Leader of the Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Section with the Armed Forces Institute
of Pathology’s Department of Defense DNA Registry, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory from 1991 to 1997. During this time, Dr. Roby contributed to the development of the Department of Defense's efforts to use mtDNA sequencing for remains identification, specifically involving missing servicemen and servicewomen in Southeast Asia, Korean War, and World War II. Dr. Roby was the Forensic Manager in the Human Identification Group at Applied Biosystems from 1997 – 2003. She and her forensic team
conducted research, development, and validation methods for forensic biological analyses.
Dr. Roby has contributed to the fundamental applications as they relate to forensic sciences in analytical methods, quality assurance, and software analyses. Dr. Roby led the mtDNA efforts to assist the City of New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner in the identifications of the remains of decedents in response to the terrorists’ attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. In 2006, she was asked to act as the lead forensic geneticist by the executive branch of the Chilean government to conduct
an audit of the identifications of victims from General Pinochet’s direction for their tortures and murders.
Roby received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in Biology and French in 1985. She obtained her Masters of Public Health in forensic biochemistry and behavioral and environmental health sciences in 1989 from the University of California at Berkeley and her doctorate degree in Genetics from the University of Granada, Spain. Join us for this great event on Tuesday, December 2, noon – 1:30 p.m.