People

Kelly A Meiklejohn, PhD
Associate Professor of Forensic Science
Principal Investigator
kameikle@ncsu.edu
919-515-4748

Dr. Meiklejohn joined NC State in 2018 after completing both her B.S. in Biotechnology (Adv., Hons Class 1) and Ph.D at the University of Wollongong (Australia). She received her PostDoctoral training at the University of Florida and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, hiking, traveling, crafts and spending time with family and friends.

Melissa Scheible, MFS
Research Associate
mkscheib@ncsu.edu
919-513-2902

Melissa has been part of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine since 2015. Her expertise is applying next-generation sequencing technology to traditional forensic markers. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Forensic Science from The George Washington University. Prior to her arrival at NC State, Melissa spent nearly ten years in the Research Department at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, whose mission is to aid in the identification of unknown military personnel. Melissa spends her free time with her husband, two children, and two Boxer mixes.

Teresa M Tiedge
Graduate Student

Teresa is a Ph.D. student in the Comparative Biomedical Sciences program at NC State. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic and Investigative Science (forensic biology emphasis) and Biology from West Virginia University and her Master of Professional Studies degree in Forensic Science from The Pennsylvania State University. Her previous research experience utilized massively parallel sequencing (MPS) to identify human DNA obtained from forensically relevant crime scene substrates. Teresa’s research focus is centered on applying MPS technology to the various disciplines within forensic science. In her spare time, Teresa likes to cook, bake, read, travel, go to the beach, and spend time with her friends, dog and two cats.

Taylor Parker
Research Specialist

Taylor is a research specialist working on a USDA grant looking at the effectiveness of truck decontamination on the PED virus. She earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Biotechnology from NC State in the Spring of 2023. Outside of her project, Taylor enjoys learning about the different areas of biological research. Her free time is spent reading, visiting family in Hickory, NC, playing with her two cats, and seeing friends.

Samantha Badgett
DVM Candidate Researcher

Samantha is a 2nd year vet student at NC State. Samantha previously graduated from UNCW with a B.S. in Biology. Currently she is interested in zoological medicine and veterinary forensics. After completing vet school, Samantha plans to pursue a zoo internship and residency. In her free time, she likes to read, spend time with her dog Pumpkin and volunteering with wildlife conservation groups

Former Lab Members:

  • Khushi Patel, Undergraduate Research Assistant, NC State University, Class of 2023
  • David Moore, Undergraduate Research Assistant, NC State University, Class of 2022
  • Cameron Angulo, Undergraduate Research Assistant, NC State University
  • Laura Boggs, Part-Time Research Technician, Alamance Community College
  • Emily Rund, Undergraduate Research Assistant, NC State University
  • Emma Timpano, Undergraduate Research Assistant, NC State University, Class of 2020
  • Madison Moore, Rotating Graduate Student, NC State University, Functional Genomics
  • Marcella da Costa, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Saint Augustine’s University, Class of 2020