Over the past few years, we have all grown more familiar with forensics due to the huge success of the CSI television show. The technology used on CSI seems so high-tech and futuristic, but little did I know that we have someone in our own community who performs work just like the actors on CSI.

Dr. Amanda Sozer’s plans originally did not include work in DNA identification. While in college, Sozer started out studying psychology, but was later bitten by the science bug when she took her first course in biology, which led to another biology course and the rest was history. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, specializing in genetics and biotechnology. While she was pursuing her graduate studies, she conducted a study involving viruses in mice. The procedures she used in that study are the same procedures that are used today in DNA profiling.

When asked if she encountered any difficulty as a woman in the science and genetics arena, remarkably, she commented that she had not encountered any issues based on her gender. She said that her father, who was one of the preeminent pioneers in the MRI field, was a professor so she was familiar with the world of academia. However, Sozer did recall one episode where there was a bit of trepidation because she was a woman. She said that when she defended her doctoral thesis, she was pregnant and her doctoral committee wasn’t very pleased with her pregnancy because they feared that Sozer would not put her degree to use. She definitely put those fears to rest.

Sozer later moved to the Washington area to work for Cellmark Diagnostics as Lab Director. Cellmark, one of the first DNA profiling labs, is the same company that conducted the DNA work for the O.J. Simpson case.

Currently, Sozer is President of Sozer Niezgoda and Associates, LLC, which is a consulting company that provides expertise, education and management for DNA identification projects. Her company reaches out to assist agencies with planning for mass fatalities.
Sozer has done work during the aftermath of two of the deadliest mass fatalities of recent time, Hurricane Katrina and the World Trade Center terrorist attack. Sozer spent about two years doing work in New York City. She helped to facilitate a DNA panel in New York City to help the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identify victims of the World Trade Center disaster. She helped to author “Lessons Learned from 9/11: DNA Identification in Mass Fatality Incidents” which was
a project convened by the National Institute of Justice.

In terms of her work in Louisiana, Sozer, prior to Hurricane Katrina, was asked to assist the state police in Baton Rouge in handling the DNA sampling for those who had been arrested. She noted that Louisiana has a very aggressive policy in terms of the collection of DNA samples for offenders. Sozer was brought on to make the DNA sampling system more cost effective.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, Sozer was called to Louisiana again where she managed the victim DNA identification efforts. She lived in Louisiana for 10 months overseeing this process. Since there were no hotels that were open after the hurricane, housing for that amount of time had to have been an issue. Sozer said that she lived in Baton Rouge in a very interesting place. Community Coffee is a long standing Louisiana coffee company. On the front of the package for the coffee is the picture of a southern style house that somewhat resembles a plantation home—Dr. Sozer actually lived in the Community Coffee house. The owner of the house graciously rented his house out to the folks in the DNA team. Only in Louisiana…..

The 30-40 person DNA team that Dr. Sozer administered included geneticists and genetic counselors from around the country. The team had about six months to identify more than 13,000 people that were reported missing. She noted that when the team contacted the victims’ families, they had to use their personal cell phones because families refused to answer calls if they thought the call was from FEMA. She also said that the genetic counselors were extremely vital to the success of the team because they helped to bridge the gap between genetics and compassion. These counselors provided a kind ear to the victims’ families during their time of need. She said that most often, all the victims’ families wanted was to be heard, to be asked “How are you doing?”

Considering the destruction that happened during Hurricane Katrina as well as the enormous loss that occurred, the actual collection of DNA samples had to have been a bit difficult. She said that they used letters to identify victims. Once you lick the back of an envelope, you have placed your DNA on that envelope. The team was able to track down letters mailed by the victims to identify their DNA.

Despite the hurdles presented by working in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Sozer continues to work for Louisiana. She works with the St. Tamany Parish Coroner’s office. St. Tamany Parish has established its own forensic DNA lab. The Parish is expanding to include work in toxicology and is developing innovative programs in the mental health arena.

Being a native of Louisiana, I just had to know how she really felt about her time there and if she missed anything. She affectionately remarked that she loved the food of Louisiana and that food loved her. I seem to remember the lyrics of a song—“To know New Orleans is to miss New Orleans…” So true.

Since we are about to have a new Administration in Washington, I asked Sozer what changes she would like to see in the area of genetics. Sozer commented that she would like to see better preparation on the part of state and local governments for mass fatalities and would also like to see the government reach out to those with specialized knowledge in the field of genetics placed in roles of aid during times of mass fatalities.

Sozer is an advocate of public service and urges other to give back to the community. She donates her time to Physicians for Human Rights. She has worked on projects in Guatemala to facilitate the establishment of a DNA laboratory. She also values education and is working with a consortium of organizations to increase forensic DNA educational opportunities in Iraq through work with universities on education and training.
Sozer has many outside interests and hobbies.

She belongs to a book club and loves to read mystery novels. She belongs to a cooking group. Her cooking group recently had a “cooking green” event in which they used all local ingredients to prepare dishes. I had no idea that Alexandria produces local meat, pork and cheese. Her cooking group’s idea may catch on since we are now in the age of “green.” Additionally, she likes to play bunco and garden.

Her work in genetics is a study in public service— helping victims’ families when they need it most. The humility that she uses to describe this very important work at times of national disaster is to be commended.

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