Biography
Lauren L. Waugh, Ph.D., is the Director of the Marshall University Forensic Science Graduate Program and an Associate Professor of Forensic Chemistry. A forensic toxicologist with more than twenty years of experience, she has built a career at the intersection of analytical toxicology, emerging drug trends, and graduate forensic science education.
Dr. Waugh holds an M.S. in Forensic Science and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Toxicology emphasis) from Marshall University, where her doctoral research examined CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 genetic polymorphisms in unexpected methadone fatalities. Prior to joining academia, she served as a Forensic Toxicologist at the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, contributing to postmortem toxicology casework and method development.
Her research portfolio spans synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, fentanyl analogs, cannabis quantification, and pharmacogenetics with publications in leading journals including the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Journal of Forensic Sciences, and ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science. She has delivered invited lectures for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and multiple national and regional forensic organizations. Dr. Waugh has also collaborated with digital forensics projects involving the decontamination of mobile devices from various chemical threats to help maintain evidence integrity and analyst safety.
Dr. Waugh is an active member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, and the Coalition of Forensic Science Educators. She also serves on the National Executive Committee for the forensic science honors fraternity Delta Delta Epsilon.