Frances Whitehead
Lithia,FL
Summary
Thorough scientific analyst trained in the physical sciences with advanced skills in chemistry, biochemistry, forensics, data analysis, statistics. Confident and efficient in analyzing scientific literature, compiling research and reports on findings for judicial, intelligence, publication, and presentation purposes for a variety of audiences of various education levels. Excels at quickly learning new skills, tools, technologies, and techniques as well as integrating new information effectively. Individually driven and group-oriented with the desire to provide continuous, conscious, creative, scientific, and analytic exploration into the data-driven decisions that shape our world and the people who create it with a curious, diligent, and practical mindset.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
National Center for Forensic Science - University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
01.2018 - 04.2024
- Publication advancements in knowledge and understanding of what goes into the analytical decision-making process for human analysts and machine learning models using complex data sets
- Performed statistical analyses using R and R Studio for 2 computational models (LDA and SVM) for both informing the analyst's decision and using the model as a separate opinion
- Developed universal analytical workflows to validate the performance of analyst decision-making and machine learning decisions relevant to all areas of high-stakes decision-making (forensic analysis, military intelligence, medical diagnostics, etc.) using forensic fire debris data and building the NCFS Fire Debris Database
- Assisted with data collection, data analysis, and data review for dissemination for briefings, technical reports, journal article publication, conference presentations, and doctoral dissertation completion
- Conducted routine and standardized experiments using research techniques specific to forensic fire debris analysis
- Provided regular briefings to leadership on accomplishments, project updates, article/dissertation progress, and literature review findings, and received guidance 1 or 2 times weekly.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Chemistry Department - University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Implemented various inquiry-based teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles among classes/laboratories of 24 or more students per class
- Facilitated group discussions to enhance students' understanding of course content during 3-hour group lab sessions
- Developed lesson plans and syllabi for assigned courses and designed course materials and graded laboratory reports (2 per semester per student), 1 final exam, and weekly quizzes while providing constructive feedback to students
- Taught General Chemistry Laboratory and General Chemistry Discussion courses under the supervision of Chemistry and Chemistry Education faculty
- Prevented serious errors in laboratory work with careful management of processes and supplies
- 2-4 hours each week spent in the tutoring center specifically for chemistry students.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Chemistry
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL05.2024
Master of Science (M.S.) - Forensic Science
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL05.2020
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Chemistry - Biochemistry Concentration
Fort Lewis College
Durango, Colorado12.2013
Some College (No Degree) - Exercise Science Minor
Fort Lewis College
Durango, COSkills
- Professional engagement
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Data acquisition
- Coding
- Modeling
- Research methodologies
- Data visualization
- Machine learning
- Technical writing
- Scientific writing
- Public presentation
- Qualitative research
- Quantitative research
- Statistical data analysis
- Ethical considerations
- Bias mitigation
- Problem-solving
- Human decision-making process
- Literature searches
Publications
- Decision theory and linear sequential unmasking in forensic fire debris analysis: a proposed workflow, Forensic Chem., 29, 100426, 2022
- Analyst and machine learning opinions in fire debris analysis, Forensic Chem., 35, 100517, 2023
- Validating Machine and Human Decision-Making in Forensic Fire Debris Analysis, Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024, 227, 2024, https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd2023/227
Conference presentations
- Assessing Evidentiary Value in Fire Debris Analysis - American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Orlando, FL - 2023
- Forensic Application of Linear Sequential Unmasking and Decision Theory to GC-MS data for Fire Debris Analysis - American Chemical Society (ACS) Chicago, IL - 2022
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
National Center for Forensic Science - University of Central Florida
01.2018 - 04.2024
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Chemistry Department - University of Central Florida
01.2018 - 12.2018
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Chemistry
University of Central Florida
Master of Science (M.S.) - Forensic Science
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Chemistry - Biochemistry Concentration
Fort Lewis College
Some College (No Degree) - Exercise Science Minor
Fort Lewis College
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