G. John DiGregorio Summer Mentoring Program

Program Description: Summer Research Forensic Mentoring Program for High School Students

Background:

In 1994, Dr. Fredric Rieders brought to fruition a long held goal to establish a non-profit foundation that fostered love for science, art and humanities in students young and old, but especially in the young and the disadvantaged.

The Forensics Mentors Institute of the Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation focuses on teaching through hands-on research, academic instruction and support of scientific and humanistic activities. Dr. Rieders endeavors to provide an educational experience that will nurture a love of science. To this end, the Foundation provides an academic milieu and experts in various fields who act as mentors to groups of researchers. The philosophy is that knowledge is the fundamental tool required to investigate any of life's problems or otherwise. Once the basic "tool bag" is filled with an understanding of these topics, one is truly ready to advance in the fields of science and life.

Program Objectives:

The Forensics Mentors Institute (FMI) is a non-profit program within the Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation. One of the main objectives of the institute is to foster educational programs for the underprivileged high school students from the surrounding school districts. The programs emphasis is on hands on Forensic Science research during the summer. As part of FMI, the students are exposed to high tech instrumentation, forensic research, data analysis and interpretation, and finally preparation of scientific posters, during the G. John DiGregorio Summer Science Program. At the end of the summer the students present their research findings in a formal presentation to the staff, their friends and parents, and fellow scientists. The relationships fostered during the summer between the high school students and the graduate students offers a novel approach to education and learning.

There have been approximately 130 students completing the program with a large percent going on to college to pursue a scientific career. The institute is supported primarily by private donations and educational grants. FMI has a strong association with Arcadia University and NMS Labs.

Eligibility:

High school students must be enrolled with passing grades in at least basic biology, chemistry, mathematics, and English. Additionally, students must exhibit a desire to explore science and humanities. Students must demonstrate good academic potential as evidenced in official transcripts. Two letters of recommendation are also required. The applicant must agree to abide by the FMI guidelines of ethical conduct. In past years, the FMI has been awarded grant funds from the American Chemical Society (ACS) as part of the SEED Project for high school students. Names of eligible students will be submitted to the ACS for possible grant awards. The summer program gives preference to economically disadvantaged and underrepresented students.

Some Former Projects:

Throughout the years, the FMI has conducted more than 50 original research projects. Below are some examples of projects that were undertaken, some of which have been presented and published.

• Detection of GHB/GBL in Beverages
• Stability of Salvinorin-A in Human Blood and Urine
• Determination of Ethanol in Homogenized and Solid Tissue
• A Method for the Quantitation of Drugs in Dried Bloodstains
• Determination of GBL in Hair
• Demographics of Emergency Toxicology
• Postmortem Redistribution of Marijuana and its Metabolites
• Binding Characteristics of Lorazepam in Human Plasma
• Methylation Artifacts in Serum Extracts
• Analysis of Herbal Supplements for Selective Heavy Metals
• Saliva collection for drug analysis using a novel technique