Current Research Team
THE TEAM
Alaina K. Holt, Ph.D. holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (2013) and Forensic Science (2017), as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Integrative Life Sciences (2023) from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She has worked as a student researcher in the VCU Laboratory for Forensic Toxicology Research (LFTR) in both her undergraduate and graduate studies, where she has gained hands-on experience with instrumentation and method development, and helped establish a quality assurance program. Her instrumentation experience includes working with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), headspace-gas chromatography-dual flame ionization detection (HS-GC-FID), and direct analysis in real time-time of flight-mass spectrometry (DART-ToF-MS). Her research has led to the development of 13 methods, 10 peer-reviewed publications, 15 conference presentations, and 3 invited presentations across several professional organizations and 3 countries. Alaina is an active member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, the International Association of Chemical Testing, and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Alaina was the recipient of the 2023 American Academy of Forensic Sciences June K. Jones Scholarship and the 2023 Society of Forensic Toxicologists Experimental Design and Impact on Toxicology Award. Her graduate research focused on the effects of vaping ethanol on ethanol impairment investigations, biomarker concentrations, and pharmacokinetics. In addition to the ethanol clinical studies, Alaina assists in the analysis of products purchased due to questionable labeling claims, or submitted by individuals reporting severe adverse reactions following use, with a special focus on the unregulated cannabis industry.
Justin Poklis, B.S., D-ABFT, is a board certified forensic toxicologist. He has worked as a forensic toxicologist at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in North Carolina, as a research scientist for the Aerosol Research Group at Virginia Commonwealth University, a toxicologist for the Toxicology Laboratory in VCU Health Laboratories, and as a scientist for SAMHSA certified drug testing laboratory, Scientific Testing Laboratories (now part of Abbott). Currently, Mr. Poklis is the manager of the Mass Spectrometry Laboratory for the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at VCU. He has contributed to more than 125 peer-reviewed publications and more than 150 abstracts to scientific meetings.
Abby Veeser, M.S. is from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science and chemistry. She graduated from the University of New Haven with a Master’s degree in Forensic Science with an emphasis in toxicology and drug analysis in 2023. She has presented her research at the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. I am working on the clinical research project collecting samples of urine, blood, and oral fluids after vaping ethanol to be analyzed by LC-MS/MS for ethanol biomarkers. I am also analyzing e-liquid samples within diffusers from a variety of distributors for chemical constituents. In the future, I hope to be able to receive my doctorate degree in biochemistry or pharmacological toxicology.
STUDENT RESEARCHERS
Meredith Buckmire is from Pittsboro, North Carolina. She is pursuing a B.S. in Forensic Science with a concentration in Forensic Chemistry, as well as a minor in Spanish, at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her current project focuses on the analysis of e-liquids from vapes that have been confiscated at public middle and high schools in Virginia.
Jessemia “Jesse” Meekins is from Binghamton, New York. She is currently studying Chemistry and Forensic Science in the College of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is also pursuing her master’s degree in forensic science on the toxicology and drug track in the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program at VCU. Her current project is to evaluate the impact of the development of a eutectic mixture with two pharmacologically active ingredients in an e-liquid on the aerosolization efficiency with an e-cigarette.
Ashleigh Outhous is from Mechanicsville, VA. She graduated with a B.S. in chemistry and minors in biology and criminal justice from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. She is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Forensic Science with a concentration in Drug analysis and toxicology. Her research focuses on developing and validating a unified method to separate a host of phytocannabinoids and lab created cannabinoids in e-liquids and food products on three columns (Shim-Pack Volex C18, Shim-Pack Volex SP-C18, and Halo 90 A LPH-C18).
Lillie Thomas is from Charleston, South Carolina. She graduated with a B.A. in chemistry and a minor in psychology from Clemson University in Clemson, SC. She is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Forensic Science with a concentration in Drug Analysis and Toxicology. Her research is focused on developing a method to detect and quantitate ethanol and its biomarkers in blood, urine, and oral fluid on the LC-MS/MS.