Case closed! New assistant professor a great addition to UOIT's Forensic Science program
March 9, 2007
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) has announced that one of the province's leading forensic scientists will soon be bringing her extensive casework and courtroom experience to UOIT classrooms as an assistant professor.
Dr. Cecilia Hageman will begin a two-year position at UOIT on June 1, teaching courses and labs and conducting research as an assistant professor in the area of forensic science with the Faculty of Science. Hageman has spent more than 15 years at the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS) in Toronto, one of the most extensive forensic science facilities in North America, and is well-respected across the province for her work.
"It is a real coup to have Dr. Hageman join us at UOIT for the next two years," said Dr. William Smith, dean of the Faculty of Science. "UOIT is already recognized for its professors who are well-respected academic and industry leaders from around the world. The addition of Dr. Hageman is another example of how UOIT is attracting the best and most talented educators to lead our programs, and inspiring students to greater levels of learning in the classroom and great success upon graduation."
Along with being a forensic biologist, Dr. Hageman also possesses a law degree, uniquely positioning her to not only impart scientific knowledge to students, but also to share how that knowledge applies to the legal system. Her training in reporting and giving evidence in areas including body fluid identification and grouping, DNA analysis, and blood stain pattern interpretation, has resulted in her testifying at more than 125 cases in the Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Justice, and Coroner's Court over the last 15 years.
As part of her duties, she will teach Law for Forensic Scientists and Forensic Biology and offer help in the design of laboratory methods that include UOIT's cutting-edge software and DNA techniques.
"Her casework experience and courtroom appearances over the last 15 years will be an incredible resource for our students to draw upon," said Dr. Smith. "Many of our students, upon graduation, may be working in labs and presenting evidence in court, for which Dr. Hageman will be able to provide vital real-world experiences and examples in the classroom."
Dr. Hageman's background also includes work with the Ontario Police College, her writing has appeared in a number of leading publications, and she has made presentations at numerous scientific conferences. She is currently co-authoring text for the second edition of the DNA Handbook, and co-writing a manuscript on the topic of errors and error rates in forensic science.
"I'm looking forward to arriving at UOIT and working with faculty, colleagues and students to help inspire a new generation of forensic scientists with a greater understanding of the demands and expectations that will be placed upon them following graduation and during their careers," said Dr. Hageman. "UOIT's Forensic Science program has quickly earned a reputation for being among the best in the province, and the incorporation of technology in the delivery of curriculum is truly a powerful ally in the study of forensic sciences."
Dr. Hageman will also pursue research opportunities while at UOIT, noting the university's commitment to research excellence was another factor in her decision to accept the position.
"The primary focus of my current position is casework including preparing for and testifying in court," she said. "My time with UOIT will allow me to pursue research with vigour and I am especially interested in exploring the issues that exist at the interface between science and law, including the legal system's understanding and interpretation of science and statistics."
Dr. Hageman earned her Bachelor of Science with Honours in Genetics, her PhD in Plant Sciences and her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario. Before beginning her career in forensic science, she completed the articling program of the Law Society of Upper Canada, including spending a year as an articling student in an intellectual property law firm in Ottawa. She was called to the Ontario bar in 1991, and has been an associate member since.
In July 1991 she began her career as a scientist in the Biology section of the CFS and became part of the management team in 1998. She currently heads a team of screening technologists responsible for the initial analysis and sampling of items submitted to the section.
Dr. Cecilia Hageman will begin a two-year position at UOIT on June 1, teaching courses and labs and conducting research as an assistant professor in the area of forensic science with the Faculty of Science. Hageman has spent more than 15 years at the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS) in Toronto, one of the most extensive forensic science facilities in North America, and is well-respected across the province for her work.
"It is a real coup to have Dr. Hageman join us at UOIT for the next two years," said Dr. William Smith, dean of the Faculty of Science. "UOIT is already recognized for its professors who are well-respected academic and industry leaders from around the world. The addition of Dr. Hageman is another example of how UOIT is attracting the best and most talented educators to lead our programs, and inspiring students to greater levels of learning in the classroom and great success upon graduation."
Along with being a forensic biologist, Dr. Hageman also possesses a law degree, uniquely positioning her to not only impart scientific knowledge to students, but also to share how that knowledge applies to the legal system. Her training in reporting and giving evidence in areas including body fluid identification and grouping, DNA analysis, and blood stain pattern interpretation, has resulted in her testifying at more than 125 cases in the Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Justice, and Coroner's Court over the last 15 years.
As part of her duties, she will teach Law for Forensic Scientists and Forensic Biology and offer help in the design of laboratory methods that include UOIT's cutting-edge software and DNA techniques.
"Her casework experience and courtroom appearances over the last 15 years will be an incredible resource for our students to draw upon," said Dr. Smith. "Many of our students, upon graduation, may be working in labs and presenting evidence in court, for which Dr. Hageman will be able to provide vital real-world experiences and examples in the classroom."
Dr. Hageman's background also includes work with the Ontario Police College, her writing has appeared in a number of leading publications, and she has made presentations at numerous scientific conferences. She is currently co-authoring text for the second edition of the DNA Handbook, and co-writing a manuscript on the topic of errors and error rates in forensic science.
"I'm looking forward to arriving at UOIT and working with faculty, colleagues and students to help inspire a new generation of forensic scientists with a greater understanding of the demands and expectations that will be placed upon them following graduation and during their careers," said Dr. Hageman. "UOIT's Forensic Science program has quickly earned a reputation for being among the best in the province, and the incorporation of technology in the delivery of curriculum is truly a powerful ally in the study of forensic sciences."
Dr. Hageman will also pursue research opportunities while at UOIT, noting the university's commitment to research excellence was another factor in her decision to accept the position.
"The primary focus of my current position is casework including preparing for and testifying in court," she said. "My time with UOIT will allow me to pursue research with vigour and I am especially interested in exploring the issues that exist at the interface between science and law, including the legal system's understanding and interpretation of science and statistics."
Dr. Hageman earned her Bachelor of Science with Honours in Genetics, her PhD in Plant Sciences and her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario. Before beginning her career in forensic science, she completed the articling program of the Law Society of Upper Canada, including spending a year as an articling student in an intellectual property law firm in Ottawa. She was called to the Ontario bar in 1991, and has been an associate member since.
In July 1991 she began her career as a scientist in the Biology section of the CFS and became part of the management team in 1998. She currently heads a team of screening technologists responsible for the initial analysis and sampling of items submitted to the section.
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