By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
Alabama State University's Dr. Gulnaz Javan - a world acclaimed expert on forensic-death studies - has been invited to lecture at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland from May 6 - May 9. At ASU, Javan is a full professor of Forensic Science and serves as the coordinator of the Forensic Biology program. She teaches forensic microbiology and thanatomicrobiomics in the context of human taphonomy.
Dr. Javan explained that she will share her scientific insights on cadaver death and microbial data through a newly launched master's program at the University of Lausanne (Lausanne), and while there will serve as an affiliate professor.
"This is a groundbreaking project for Lausanne's new specialized Master of Science in Human Taphonomy program that will start at its school of Biology and Medicine," Javan said. "Taphonomy focuses on the decomposition of organic matter, and it was originally the science of fossils as was devised by a Russian paleontologist in the late 1930s. It is quite unique and combines forensic sciences, biology, geosciences, ethics, and social sciences."
Human taphonomy is related to anything that concerns the decomposition, or sometimes the non-decomposition, of the human body.
"I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and expertise at the University of Lausanne," stated Javan.
SWISS COORDINATOR COMMENTS
Dr. Vincent Varlet is Lausanne's educational coordinator for the project.
"Our master's program that ASU's Dr. Javan will lecture focuses on biological traces, and that's a first," stated Varlet.
In addition to his position at Lausanne, Dr. Varlet, is also the head of the Swiss Human Institute for Forensic Taphonomy, which is one of the operational units of the University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne-Geneva.
"We are delighted to have the presence of ASU's Professor Javan, who is a worldwide expert of human thanatomicrobiology, in our program as an affiliate professor," said Varlet.