Theresa Stotesbury
PhD

Background

Theresa Stotesbury is an assistant professor and early career researcher in the forensic science program in the Faculty of Science. Her research group characterizes how biological tissues, like blood, degrades in the environment and finds innovative ways to use this information to help with forensic investigations. For example, recently her research group was highlighted on the front cover of the journal Forensic Chemistry for mass spectrometry imaging of fingerprints that were chemically recovered from underneath bloodstains; the first study of its kind with significant implications for forensic investigations. Her group use methods in analytical chemistry to develop models to age a bloodstain, which can be useful in providing context to the events of a crime. Her research group also focuses on developing novel biomaterials for biosensing and forensic science applications.

Dr. Stotesbury has held a passion for forensic science since her earliest years as an academic, graduating with a BSc (Trent University) and MSc (University of Auckland) in Forensic Science. In 2017, she graduated with a PhD from Trent University in Materials Science, where she developed a synthetic blood substitute that forensic agencies around the world are now incorporating into their research and training practices. Dr. Stotesbury regularly collaborates with members of the forensic community and has held a previous appointment of Research Scientist at the Ontario Provincial Police.