Education

Biography

Professor Lee holds a BS from SUNY Binghamton in Biology, an MS from NYU and PhD from University of California, Berkeley in Molecular Biology. Dr. Lee is also currently a Visiting Scholar at UC Berkeley and serves frequently as a consultant or trainer in forensic DNA. He was formerly the Director of R&D at CA Dept of Justice DNA Laboratory from 1994-2000 where he served as an expert witness in DNA, spearheaded the implementation of robotics for sample processing, DNA extraction and STR amplification, and conducted DNA training courses. He is a Fellow in the Criminalistics section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, full member of the California Association of Criminalists, American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Science Teachers Association and is qualified as an American Society of Crime Laboratory Director’s Laboratory Accreditation Board inspector. He has taught courses in molecular biology at SFSU (1996-1998), Forensic genetics at UC Davis (1997), forensic DNA Typing of STRs at FIU (2003), Criminalistics, Forensic Science, DNA and Crime, Genetics Law and Society and Forensic Molecular Biology at SJSU.

Research Interest

Forensic molecular biology is the molecular analysis of biological evidence to provide objective information on legal matters or those that pertain to criminal and civil law. Comparison of DNA profiles generated from the biological evidence to known samples can serve to link suspects with crime scenes or victims, exonerate the suspect, find the missing and aide investigations in human rights. Our research is highly interdisciplinary with Biology and Chemistry, focusing on advancing and enhancing forensic molecular tools and techniques to examine and characterize biological evidence. Recent projects include 1) Optimizing fluorescent detection of semen stains, 2) Comparison of DNA recovery from Molotov cocktails following 6 fire suppression strategies 3) Investigation of strategies to reduce PCR inhibition due to commonly found co-extracted inhibitors to PCR, 4) Development, implementation and validation of room temperature DNA storage using novel polymers, 5) Evaluation and testing of Next Generation Sequencing technology for forensic DNA identity, phenotype, ancestry,and health genomics, 6) Digital and cyber forensics and 7) The interface of forensic science and human rights.

Scientific Activities

HONORS and AWARDS: 35 Scholarships, Teaching and/or Research Awards and Honors

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Over 30 Years of Biological Research, Teaching and Advising

2017-present

• Scientific Director Consultant, Source Molecular Corporation, Miami, Florida
• Leading development, validation and testing of new services and products for fecal source tracking
• Providing scientific and technical expertise for ISO 17025 accreditation
• Developing relationships and a scientific advisory board with water safety thought leaders
• Engaging new collaborations and initiatives toward SMC services and product implementation
• Strategic planning and development of new technologies toward enhancing accuracy and efficiency
• 2007-present        Professor, Director of Forensic Science, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95192
• Tenured and Promoted to Full Professor August 2007
• Research mentor on a Keck Undergraduate Grant with Chemistry :$250,000.00 from 2013-2015
• Nominated for the CASA Dean’s Outstanding Professor Award for AY 2008-09
• Sabbatical Spring 2008 at CA DOJ DNA Laboratory and AY 2014-2015 Florida Intl University
• Research mentor on an NSF REU Grant 2010-2012 and 2013-2017 NSF DBI 1262832 $448,654.00
• Co-PI on an NSF REU Grant awarded $204,000.00 from 2007-2010
• PI on two CSUPERB Programmatic grants to develop new courses $30,000.00 from 2010-2012
• Research mentor on an Howard Hughes Medical Institute Grant :$1,300,000.00 from 2008-2012
• PI for CAC scholarships for 2007-2015 Forensic Science Student Scholarships $31,000.00
• Mentored 21 student research projects leading to 30 presentations supported by grants- $59,800.00
• Served as Co-PI for an MS student on the impact of DNA in the criminal justice system
• Three manuscripts published three more in preparation.
• Served as Chair of the CASA Professional Leaves Committee (F2008)
• Served as Chair of the Student Opinions of Teaching Effectiveness Committee (F06-S07)
• Enhanced 10 fold growth from 23 to over 260 forensic science majors (2003-2008)

2003-2007

• Associate Professor, Director Forensic Science: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA , 95192
• Leading the development of an interdisciplinary degree program in Forensic Science
• Establishing intra, inter-college and inter-campus research and teaching collaborations
• Submitted 22 grant proposals to support forensic science research and teaching.
• 12 grants funded for a total of $304,042.00.
• Facilitated donations in excess of $300,000.00 in equipment, computers, supplies and support
• Established a Forensic Science Seminar Series
• Advisor for the SJSU Forensic Science Student Group- Recipients of service and research awards
• 80% of FS grads (20/25) are working in crime labs, biotech, investigations or grad schools

• Forensic Consultant and Technical Marketing Manager - Illumina, San Diego CA
• Initiated an international research consortium of 20 NGS forensic DNA leaders
• Co created plans for inter-laboratory testing and validation of NGS leading to peer reviewed
• presentations and adoption
• Chaired NGS workshops for the 24thth and 25thth International Symposium on Human ID
• Supporting the adoption of Illumina FGx through education, research and training
• Providing technical review and support for publications, data interpretation and SOP development
• Co-developed and delivered advanced Illumina Forensic Genomics training for field app specialists

2007-2009           

• Forensic DNA Project Consultant, Biomatrica, San Diego, CA
• R&D consultant on the implementation and use of new products
• Leading an international consortium on evaluation of a new matrix for storage and collection
• Research led to 4 presentations at national and international forensic science meetings

2006-2008

• Forensic DNA Training Consultant, CA Department of Justice
• Designed and delivered new Forensic DNA courses
• Developed materials on SNPs, forensic phenotype profiling, and DNA databases

• Molecular Biology Exam Blue Ribbon Panelist : American Board of Criminalistics
• Provide technical expertise in the development of an ABC Molecular Biology Certification exam
• Assist in developing lists of questions, study guides and job descriptions for the specialty

• Forensic Project Consultant, Trace Genetics
• Provided technical expertise and support for proprietary forensic product development
• Designed validation and testing outlines
• Proposed market entry plans including alpha and beta phases of product development

2004-2009           

• R&D Consultant: MiraiBio, Hitachi Software Engineering, South San Francisco
• Forensic Science application and technical support
• Multiplex liquid SNP array and fluorescent STR scanning support
• Technical specs development, demos and training for DNA Software
• SNP typing using Masterplex GT
• Smartnote bioinformatics tools
• Delivering seminars and posters on Bioinformatics and Forensic DNA

2000-2004

• Director of R&D: MiraiBio Inc., Hitachi Software Engineering, Alameda, CA 94502       

R&D accomplishments during my tenure:

Microarrays and Bead based arrays:

• Developed proprietary surface chemistry for cDNA and oligos
• Coordinated testing of microarray spotting optimization
• Immunoassay Bead Array Validation study completed
• Bead array studies led to publications and sales of the Luminex 100 and software.
• BioInformatics and Imaging
• Initiated and led a team of 10 labs to test and develop SNP typing software
• Computer software analysis on human DNA quantification published
• Publication of 12 application notes and 2 peer reviewed articles
• Spearheaded the implementation of web conferencing tools for software training and sales

2001-2008 

• Adjunct Professor: Chemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
• Developed and delivered an on line course on Forensic DNA- STR typing in 2001 and 2003
• Produced DNA course materials for posting on the web

1997

• Instructor: Genetics of Forensic DNA Typing, Environmental Biology, UC Davis, Davis, CA
• Organized and delivered an intensive 2 week laboratory genetics course
• Academically approved for college credit and certified by POST

1996-present

• Visiting Scholar, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley
• Delivered seminars for advanced graduate students and post docs in careers seminars
• Collaborations with Mycologists on Image Explorer leading to photograph publication

1996-present

• Adjunct Assistant Professor, Biology, San Francisco State University
• PI on National Science Foundation REU program (96-98)
• Delivered 2 week courses on DNA technology from extraction to sequencing
• Mentored 5 undergraduates and 1 graduate student

1995-1999 

• Member Technical Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (TWGDAM now SWGDAM)                                   
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Invited participation in a federally funded national forensic scientist group
• Participation in inter-laboratory studies on forensic DNA typing methods
• Established collaborations with the FBI on STR implementation
• Participated in meetings of the DNA Advisory Board QA Standards for forensic DNA laboratories

1995-present

• Member mtDNA Quality Assurance Oversight Committee
• Department of Defense, Armed Forced DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL)
• Conduct annual inspections of the DOD mtDNA typing facility
• Provide feedback on QA measures and audit procedures

1994-2000

• Assistant Laboratory Director, Research and Development
• California Department of Justice Laboratory, Richmond, CA (CA DOJ -formerly at Berkeley, CA)
• Supervised a group of 5 scientists in forensic DNA research
• Mentored 15 student interns (see student section)
• Led a team that developed and validated a robotic assisted extraction and STR analysis
• American Society of Crime Laboratory Director Laboratory Accreditation Board Certified
• Assisted the leadership team in re-accreditation by ASCLD-LAB in 1998
• Served on the BFS QA Technical Advisory Group
• Developed and delivered RFLP and STR hands-on training on the ABI 310 and 377 platforms

1992-1996 

• Assistant Professor Biology (92-94), Affiliate Assistant Professor Biology(94-96)
• Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO (UNC)
• PI on NSF research grant for Molecular Evolution of Oomycetes
• Mentored 8 BA, 2 MS and 2 PhD students.

1990-1991 

• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Botany: University of Georgia, Athens
• PI on NSF research grant for Molecular Evolution of Oomycetes
• Established external funding from biotechnology sector to support workshops. 

Teaching Experience (* with laboratory- #= on line):

Publications

1. Lee, SB, Clabaugh, KC, Silva, B, Odigie, KO, Fourney, RM, Stevens, J, Carmody, GR, Coble, MD, Loreille, O, Scheible, M, Parsons, TJ, Pozder, A, Eisenberg, AJ, Budowle,B, Taha Ahmad, Russell W. Miller, Amy B. McGuckian, Julie Conover-Sikorsky and Cecelia A. Crouse. 2012. Assessing a novel room temperature DNA storage medium for forensic biological samples. Forensic Science International: Genetics, Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 31-40.
2. Conroy, K and Lee, S. 2012. Optimizing Human Semen Stain Detection Using Fluorescence. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Proceeding 18: 77-78.
3. Harris,C, Cardenas, A, Barloewen B, and Lee SB. 2012. Comparing Wearer DNA Sample Collection Methods for Determining the Best Method for the Recovery of Single Source Profiles. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Proceeding 18: 85-86.
4. Lee, SB, CA Crouse, MC Kline. 2010. Optimizing storage and handling of DNA extracts. Forensic Science Reviews 22:131-144.
5. Lee, SB, B McCord and E Buel. 2014. Advances in Forensic DNA Quantification: A Review. Electrophoresis Nov;35(21-22):3044-52.
6. Roda, N, SB Lee, B Barloeven and T. Mehmet. 2014. DNA Typing Compatibility With a Rapid, One Step Saliva Screening Test. Themis, Volume 2: 225-235.
7. Lee, SB, CA Crouse, MC Kline. 2013. In Assessment and preparation of biological specimens for DNA analysis. Optimizing storage and handling of DNA extracts. Chapter in Forensic DNA Analysis: Current Practices and Emerging Technologies. Eds. Jaiprakash G. Shewale; Ray H. Liu, CRC Press. ISBN 9781466571266. Publication 08/22/13
8.  Harris, C, A Cardenas, SB Lee and B Barloewen. 2013 Comparing Wearer DNA Sample Collection Methods for the Recovery of Single Source Profiles. Themis. Volume 1:81-99