Spotlights

Grace Bommarito '12

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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Page last modified June 8, 2024