Jessica Hovington

Hometown: State College, PA

Scholarships and/or Academic Awards: Ruby Fellow

Hobbies: Terrariums, reading, listening to audiobooks, making lattes, and cooking.

One interesting fact about you: My fingerprint is in a bloodstain pattern analysis textbook. Also, I went to the University of Lausanne (the oldest Forensic college in the world that’s still running) to complete my master’s degree.

Q&A with Jessica

• What is your research about?
  • Using a hyperspectral camera (which takes photos on multiple wavelengths) to take photos at crime scenes to see how it can be used to locate and identify body fluids.
• Why did you want to pursue this research?
  • I have always been interested in crime scene adjacent work. It gives me a chance to incorporate new stuff into scenes and to learn new skills.
• What is the most interesting thing about your research?
  • The most interesting thing is using a method that’s new here but used in other places. For example: the hyperspectral camera is used in other lines of work, but it’s just now being used in forensics.
• Who is your PI? How have they helped you be successful?
  • My PI is Dr. Speir. She has a PhD in something similar to my research so she’s very helpful and pushes students to challenge themselves.
• How have your professors and/or staff helped you be successful?
  • I have been able to pull elements from each class taught to help in research.
• Favorite thing or activity your research group has done together?
  • We all went and had dinner together.
• What skills and/or knowledge have you gained that you feel will help you be successful in your future career?
  • I’ve gained skills in reading and understanding algorithms and learned how to follow code.
• What are your career goals?
  • I would like to work in a crime lab to gain real-world experience and down the road, I would like to teach at a university.
• What was your favorite place on campus?
  • My favorite place on campus are the benches near the Mountainair.
• What was your most memorable moment at WVU?
  • Closing down the library while studying for informatics.
• What is your favorite class and why?
  • Informatics because it’s the most challenging class I’ve ever taken (even over classes taken in French), but I learned more in there than any other class taken.
• What experience or class taught you the most?
  • Informatics!
• Why did you choose WVU?
  • I know I wanted a PhD in Forensics, WVU is closer to home, and WVU has a good reputation.
• What advice would you give to an incoming student in the same major?
  • Make connections and spend time with people outside your lab group.