2026 Open Board Positions
Current Slate
Emily Wilkinson
President Elect
Cristina Chilcott
Chemistry Chair Elect
Ashley M. Cooley
Secretary
Rhys Williams
Physical Evidence Chair Elect
Brandi Iorio
Biology Chair Elect
Carrie Wise
Physical Evidence Chair Elect
President Elect Job Description
From the By-Laws:
Serves on Board and assists the president as required. Fulfills the president’s duties should the president be absent, leave office or become incapacitated. If the president and president-elect are absent from a business meeting, the voting members shall elect a president pro tem.
From the Administrative Rules:
The following duties are in addition to those prescribed by the Bylaws:
8.1.1. Chairs the Nominating Committee, unless otherwise designated by the Board.
8.1.2. Assists chairs-elect with planning and coordination of workshops and dinner meetings.
8.1.3. Conducts a financial review (audit) of the Association’s and MPC’s fiscal records annually, prior the annual business meeting.
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Secretary Job Duties
From the By-Laws:
Records the minutes of the Board and Association business meetings, maintains the Association records, record members’ attendance at all business meetings, and files (or appoints an agent to file) any and all necessary documents with the Commonwealth of Virginia. In the absence of the Secretary from a business meeting, the presiding officer shall appoint a temporary Secretary to record the minutes of the meeting.
From the Administrative Rules:
The following duties are in addition to those prescribed by the Bylaws:
9.1.1. Records meeting minutes.
9.1.2. Supplies draft copies of Board and annual meeting minutes to Board members within two weeks of a meeting.
9.1.3. Maintains a file of Association correspondence, reports and other information related to Association business.
9.1.4. At each meeting, provides the minutes of the prior meeting.
9.1.5. Maintains a working knowledge of Roberts Rules of Order.
Section Chair and Section Chair Elect Job Duties:
Biology, Chemistry, and Physical Evidence
From the By-Laws:
Section Chair: Represents members of their Section at board meetings and coordinates their Section activities at the annual meetings and serves on Meeting Planning Committee.
From the Administrative Rules:
Section Chair: The following duties are in addition to those prescribed by the Bylaws:
12.1.1. Presides over the section’s administrative duties.
12.1.2. Assists the Training Committee.
12.1.3. Attends all Board meetings outside of the annual meeting.
12.1.4. Serves as a mentor for the chairs-elect.
Section Chair Elect: The following duties are in addition to those prescribed by the Bylaws:
12.4.1.1. Assists the section chair with the duties listed in Section 12.
12.4.1.2. Assists the Training Committee with planning and coordinating Association workshops outside of the annual meeting and dinner meetings.
Slate Biographies
Emily Wilkinson: President Elect: Emily Wilkinson has been a Scientist (Drug Chemistry) at the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner for over 17 years. She is currently section technical leader and holds ABC-DA certification. She has been a MAAFS member since 2017, attended her first meeting as a graduate student in 2008, and presented a paper in 2023. She serves as the 2026 Chemistry Chair and has enjoyed being a part of the team planning the chemistry workshops and paper/poster presentation schedules for the 2026 joint meeting. As Chemistry Chair, a member of the MAAFS Board, she has become familiar with the commitments and expectations of the President-Elect and President and is confident in her ability to serve the membership with presence.
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Ashley M. Cooley: Secretary: I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s in Forensic Science, concentrating in Forensic Biology, from Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduate school, I began my career as a Visiting Scientist in the FBI Laboratory’s Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit (CFSRU) in Quantico, VA. In 2018, I joined the Virginia Department of Forensic Science, where I continue to serve in the Mitochondrial DNA Section as a Forensic Scientist.
As a Forensic Scientist, I am constantly multi-tasking: organizing case file documentation, performing laboratory analyses, communicating with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders, and preparing for court testimony. I plan to use the organizational skills and ability to articulate that I have honed as a practicing forensic scientist in order to support the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS) as Secretary. I aim to contribute to this role that aligns well with my personal and professional strengths by carefully documenting meeting minutes and maintaining organized records and correspondence with the Board and with the Commonwealth of Virginia. I am excited at the opportunity to be more involved in this organization and to start building a long-term, active relationship with MAAFS.
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Brandi Iorio: Biology Chair Elect: Brandi Iorio currently works as a Forensic Scientist in the Forensic Biology Section at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Central Laboratory in Mechanicsville, VA, where she has worked for over 8 years. In addition to her casework duties, she assists in post-conviction testing as well as the identification of unidentified human remains and also serves as the pipette coordinator, in which she coordinates the calibration of pipettes at the Central Laboratory. She also currently serves as the training coordinator for two new biologists in the Forensic Biology section. She has also previously served as an adjunct instructor for a Forensic Serology course at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Brandi obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Virginia in 2015. She then went on to receive her Master of Forensic Science degree in Forensic Molecular Biology from the George Washington University in 2018. During her graduate studies, she worked for SNA International and conducted research focused on a cost-benefit analysis of kinship testing involving full siblings and half siblings. She presented on this research at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), at the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI), and for an online webinar for the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Forensic Technology Center for Excellence. She also worked as a Staff Assistant at the DC Department of Forensic Sciences, where she implemented and maintained an online database for the tracking of Physical Evidence Recovery Kits (PERKs). In 2023, she also authored a chapter in the Methods in Molecular Biology book on Forensic DNA Analysis.
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Brandi is currently an Associate Member of AAFS, having started in that organization as a Trainee Affiliate in 2020. She has been a member of MAAFS since 2023 and has thoroughly enjoyed attending the MAAFS meetings and workshops over the years. Most of all, she appreciated the time spent with other MAAFS members and scientists who share so much expertise, skill, and passion for this field. She is appreciative of all of her past instructors, supervisors, and fellow examiners who have provided her with the knowledge, guidance, and confidence to succeed in this career path. She hopes to further participate in the MAAFS organization as the next Biology Section Chair Elect and aims to schedule a variety of workshops and speakers who can educate fellow members on new advancements and technologies in the field. She looks forward to the possibility of greater involvement in the MAAFS organization and hopes to contribute her enthusiasm, effort, and ideas as the next Biology Section Chair Elect.
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Cristina Chilcott: Chemistry Chair Elect: Hi! My name is Cristina Chilcott and I've been a Forensic Scientist in the Controlled Substances Section with the Virginia Department of Forensic Science for the past nine years. During that time, I have had the opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals and contribute to the forensic science community through my daily work. I joined MAAFS in 2024 and attended my first annual meeting that year. I really appreciated the welcoming atmosphere, engaging presentations, and opportunities to collaborate with fellow forensic scientists from across the region. I look forward to continuing my time with MAAFS by providing meaningful opportunities and building relationships within our field.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
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Rhys Williams: Physical Evidence Chair Elect: Rhys Williams is an assistant professor in forensic science at Loyola University Maryland. His research and academic activity focus on digital imaging of forensic evidence, soil analysis for site interpretation, and forensic anthropology. Here, he also co-founded the Animal Forensics Institute in support of the increasing needs of animal crime investigators along the East Coast.
Prior to joining Loyola in 2024, Rhys completed his PhD and taught at Teesside University, UK for seven years, reaching the role of senior lecturer in forensic science and postgraduate tutor for the School of Health and Life Sciences. Rhys has engaged with many national and international forensic and archaeological professionals, building a decade of experience in teaching, research, and public engagement with the forensic sciences.
Rhys joined MAAFS in 2025, where he delivered a workshop on 3D imaging of ballistic evidence and supported his research student presentations at his first MAAFS meeting. He is presenting at the 2026 MAAFS/NEAFS conference, and will be supporting his student engagement with MAAFS for many years to come. Rhys is excited about the opportunity to further participate with MAAFS as the next Physical Evidence Chair Elect, and aims to contribute new ideas and activities to the MAAFS organization and the physical evidence community.
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Carrie Wise: Physical Evidence Chair Elect: Dr. Carrie Rowe Wise is a forensic science faculty member at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, where she teaches courses in crime scene investigation, trace evidence, forensic instrumentation, forensic photography, and quality assurance. She is actively involved in student mentoring, curriculum development, and program accreditation initiatives.
Before joining academia, Dr. Wise spent more than 12 years as a forensic scientist, with experience in crime scene investigation, controlled substance analysis, trace evidence, and gunshot residue analysis. She earned her Doctor of Forensic Science degree from Oklahoma State University, where her research focused on the documentation and biological profiling of a legacy skeletal teaching collection.
A member of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists for nearly 20 years, Dr. Wise values the organization's role in fostering collaboration, continuing education, and professional growth among forensic scientists. She previously served within the Physical Evidence Section before her term was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Wise is committed to supporting the members of the Physical Evidence Section by encouraging student involvement, promoting professional development, and strengthening connections among practitioners, laboratories, and academic institutions throughout the region. She would be honored to serve as Physical Evidence Chair-Elect and contribute to the continued success of MAAFS.
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