Julie Burrill, PhD
Scientist.
o PhD funded by a Fulbright Scholarship.
o Research focused on trace or “touch” DNA - biological material deposited on surfaces without an identifiable body fluid as a source.
o Publications investigating the source of this DNA - how it accumulates on individuals’ hands, and the condition it remains in when transferred and then collected for analysis.
o Employed in a variety of lab settings, from structural biology research to physical anthropology recovery to forensic DNA casework.
Teacher.
o Enjoys teaching at undergraduate, graduate and professional levels.- focused on a growth mindset and helping students learn when and how they can best succeed.
o Designed original coursework, developed lab protocols and supervised independent research.
o Tailors assessments and activities to each unique class or subject.
o Frequent guest lecturer - engages with students from a range of universities and organizations, from medicine and engineering to journalism and law.
Legal Consultant.
o Former Staff Scientist at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, faculty member of the National Forensic Science College for several years, teaching attorneys at their annual event.
o Trained attorneys across a broad spectrum of forensic science disciplines, from fingerprints to eyewitness identification to toxicology.
o Developed materials for admissibility and other motions, drafted cross- and direct-examination questions.
o Recruitment and preparation of expert witnesses for hearings and trials, plus strategic feedback to experts and attorneys.
Communicator.
o Loves talking about science like a human being, helping others share the enthusiasm.
o Postdoctoral fellowship in Science Communication studied how people process new data and research.
o Researched best practices in designing information sharing specifically for your audience, including “mental on-ramps,” analogies and accessible frameworks.
o If you have a question about something scientific or technical – that’s great! It means you’re curious. Let’s talk about it.
o Curated professional network of scientists and communicators - will find you the right one.
Julie Burrill
Education:
PhD in Molecular Biology - King’s College London
MFS in Forensic Molecular Biology - The George Washington University
BS in Biology (Peace & Conflict Studies concentration) - Haverford College
Experience:
Affiliate Researcher - Stony Brook University - School of Communication and Journalism
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science
Certified Facilitator - Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University
Fulbright Scholar/Teaching Assistant - King’s College London
Forensic Fellow/Staff Scientist - The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
Technician - Bode Technology
Technician - NYU School of Medicine
Technician - StormRiders (subcontracted to NY Office of the Chief Medical Examiner)
Publications:
Burrill, J., Daniel, B., & Frascione, N. (2019). A review of trace “Touch DNA” deposits: Variability factors and an exploration of cellular composition. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 39, 8-18.
Burrill, J., Daniel, B., & Frascione, N. (2020). Illuminating touch deposits through cellular characterization of hand rinses and body fluids with nucleic acid fluorescence. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 46, 102269.
Burrill, J., Kombara, A., Daniel, B., & Frascione, N. (2020). Exploration of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) recovery for touch deposits. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 51, 102431.
Burrill, J., Rammenou, E., Alawar, F., Daniel, B., & Frascione, N. (2020). Corneocyte lysis and fragmented DNA considerations for the cellular component of forensic touch DNA. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 51, 102428.
Burrill, J., Hotta, R., Daniel, B., & Frascione, N. (2021). Accumulation of endogenous and exogenous nucleic acids in “Touch DNA” components on hands. Electrophoresis, 42 (16), 1594-1604.
Burrill, J., Daniel, B., & Frascione, N. (2022). Lysis and purification methods for increased recovery of degraded DNA from touch deposit swabs. Forensic Science International, 330, 111102.
