Catherine Connon MS, PhD

Dr. Connon is an assistant professor in the Department of Forensic Science at VCU, teaching several of the forensic biology track upper-level courses. She started her career in forensic molecular biology in 2006 with LabCorp in their Forensic Identity Department – a private, ASCLD-accredited DNA laboratory with ISO 17025 certification formerly located in Research Triangle Park, NC. Following LabCorp’s acquisition of Orchid Cellmark (later Cellmark Forensics), Dr. Connon relocated to Dallas, TX to join Cellmark’s forensic R&D group, where she remained until 2015. During her employment with LabCorp/Cellmark, she served various roles, including processing forensic DNA casework, developing and validating new procedures, serving as a QA representative, manufacturing and reviewing forensic serology and DNA proficiency tests, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate student interns. Currently, she is a consultant for Bode Technology in northern Virginia and is working towards a certificate in Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Before her forensic molecular biology career, Dr. Connon worked in a plant genomics laboratory at the University of Missouri assisting with research involving various strains of maize mitochondrial genomes and maternally inherited diseases.