Alumni in 5
Grace Bommarito '12
Employer
Michigan State Police / Forensic Scientist (DNA)
1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
Shortly after graduation, I began working as a Contract Chemist
at Perrigo in the R&D department. There I performed testing on
various pharmaceuticals prior to FDA approval. Although I enjoyed the
work, my career goal was to become a Forensic DNA Scientist. After
several months (and interviews!), I started as an Evidence Technician
at the Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Crime Lab. This position
involved receiving and transporting evidence from various agencies
across the state. Shortly after being hired, I transferred into a DNA
Technician role. This entailed performing QA/QC of all lab reagents,
troubleshooting instruments, and acting as a support role to the
scientists in the DNA unit. In 2016, I was promoted to DNA Scientist
and began working at the Michigan State Police Lansing Crime Lab. This
role involved processing DNA evidence, analyzing and reporting
results, testifying to those results in court, as well as responding
to crime scenes. After a few years, I transferred to the Michigan
State Police Bridgeport Crime Lab to work in the Body Fluid
Identification Unit as a BFI Scientist. In this role, I
analyzed/triaged biological evidence prior to DNA testing. Finally, in
2020, I transferred back to the Michigan State Police Grand Rapids
Crime Lab as a DNA Scientist & Crime Scene Responder, which is now
my current role.
2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
Meeting my best friend and navigating life together as young adults.
3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Push yourself outside of your comfort zone, no matter how scary
it may seem. You will never regret the lessons learned when you sit in discomfort.
4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand
Valley experience.
Enlightening, Diverse, and Challenging
5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
I want to positively impact my community by using science to seek
justice and bring closure to families affected by crime.
June 2024
Interest Area(s)
Cell and Molecular Biology, Criminal Justice, Chemistry
Categories
Honors College, West Michigan
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