Michael Marciano is a research associate professor and the associate director for research in the College of Arts and Sciences Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute at Syracuse University. He holds a master’s degree in forensic molecular biology and a PhD in structural biology, biochemistry and biophysics. His research centers on applied molecular biology and genetics with an emphasis on genetic identity, DNA-based geolocation, and computational methods to interpret complex genetic data. He was previously employed as a forensic DNA analyst at Onondaga County Center for Forensic Sciences. He later joined SRC Inc., a non-profit defense contractor, where he focused on research and development of DNA-based applications for tagging, tracking and locating targets. He currently teaches Forensic DNA Analysis and Forensic Analysis of Biological Evidence. Dr. Marciano currently sits on the National Institute of Standards and Technology Organization of Scientific Committees – Human Forensic Biology Subcommittee and the New York State Commission on Forensic Sciences.