Dr. Thomas Kupiec is the CEO of Analytical Research Laboratories (ARL) and DNA Solutions Inc. Dr. Kupiec received his Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Pharmacy. He currently serves as a graduate faculty member at the OU Health Sciences Center and has held teaching appointments at several universities. He has published numerous articles and abstracts in a variety of fields including pharmaceutical sciences, forensic sciences and pharmacogenomics. Dr. Kupiec is often requested as a speaker at national pharmaceutical conferences and has spoken at ASHP, IACP, ACA and for state pharmaceutical associations.
Dr. Kupiec's vision of entrepreneurial research is manifested by his responsibilities at DNA Solutions and ARL, which include supplying technical expertise and business development in the pharmaceutical and forensic fields. Additionally, Dr. Kupiec offers consultation services for a variety of pharmacy related fields as well as expert witness testimony in the fields of forensic toxicology and pharmaceutical sciences. He has testified in over a hundred cases, both civil and criminal, in federal, state and municipal courts.
His professional experience includes various appointments at Northwest Toxicology Inc. (NWT), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Dr. Kupiec is affiliated with numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, and Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society.
Dr. Brandt Cassidy is an Associate Professor at the Forensic Science Institute at the University of Central Oklahoma and a scientific adviser for DNA Solutions. He has over 20 years of laboratory experience in DNA analysis and is recognized around the world as an expert in DNA research and analysis. Dr. Cassidy joined DNA Solutions in 1999 when DNA Solutions purchased Ardmore Biological Analysis, in which Dr. Cassidy served as President and CEO. Prior experience includes serving as a Scientist with the prestigious Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, and as an adjunct Assistant Professor with Oklahoma State University.
Dr. Cassidy is an experienced lecturer and writer, who has hosted and given numerous lectures to various groups including law enforcement, attorneys, state agencies and scientific breeders. He has authored numerous publications, abstracts and book chapters. Dr. Cassidy is an active member of numerous professional groups including Association of Forensic DNA Analysts and Administrators, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and HITA (Human Identification Trade Association), which is a group of individuals from the DNA field who represent the DNA Industry to the public.
Dr. Cassidy received his bachelor's degree in biology from Iowa State University, he received his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Nicole Vu is the scientific director for DNA Solutions and our sister company ARL Bio Pharma, Inc. She is focused on ensuring the science and technology that both companies utilize is of the highest quality. Before joining the team in 2004, Dr. Vu spent over 7 years with the Federal Aviation Administration in the Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory. Her primary responsibilities included design, implementation and conducting research projects, specifically related to human toxicology.
Dr. Vu has numerous educational credentials including a bachelor's degree in Biology and Chemistry from The University of the Ozarks, a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology from Arkansas State University and a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from The University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center. Dr. Vu has also received her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from The University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center.
Dr. James Anstead joined DNA Solutions in 2013 and is the Laboratory Director. Dr. Anstead has over 15 years of experience in molecular biology, population genetics and entomology. His prior experience includes working as a Research Associate at Pennsylvania State University and Oklahoma State University.
Dr. Anstead has published numerous articles and abstracts in a variety of fields including population genetics, plant biology and entomology. He is an active member of a number of scientific organizations including the International Society for Animal Genetics, the Royal Entomological Society, the Entomological Society of America and the American Society of Plant Biologists.
Dr. Anstead received his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK, he received his MS in Entomology from Oklahoma State University and his PhD from University College London.
David Baer is the Chief Financial Officer for DNA Solutions. Baer is a seasoned financial manager and innovator with over 25 years working at public and private companies. At DNA Solutions, Baer oversees all financial, accounting and administration aspects, as well as the information technology department, and he brings unique expertise to his role as a member of the executive group.
As a former partner and owner in his own accounting practice and in various accounting leadership roles throughout his career, Baer has achieved many years of payroll, financial and cash management experience which has enabled him to provide stability and a good foundation for future growth at DNA Solutions.
Baer is a CPA and graduate of the University of Louisiana with a BBA in Accounting. He is also a graduate of the School of Mortgage Banking from Northwestern University in Chicago.
Elena Chitsey serves as the Controller for DNA Solutions and ARL Bio Pharma. Elena was appointed as Controller by the CEO, Dr. Thomas Kupiec in March of 2012.
As Controller for DNA Solutions and ARL Bio Pharma, Elena provides oversight to and is responsible for all accounting functions within the company.
Elena has been with the companies for over 17 years and during this time she has worked in various positions with increasing responsibility. Elena is dedicated in her pursuit to develop and maintain a system of accounting policies and procedures, internal accounting controls, and manage the operations of the Accounting Department.
Elena graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Oklahoma. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Oklahoma and is a member of the Oklahoma Accountancy Board.
Amy Dean is the marketing and public relations executive for DNA Solutions, ARL Bio Pharma, and the Kupiec Group. She joined DNA Solutions in June 2007. Her responsibilities include graphic design, advertising, public relations, and the research, planning, implementation and evaluation of marketing campaigns.
Prior to joining ARL, Amy served in the financial industry for nine years.
Amy received her bachelor's degree in public relations from the University of Central Oklahoma and her master's degree in business administration specializing in leadership and organizational development from Oklahoma Christian University.
Megan Briley serves as Senior Administrator for DNA Solutions. She started in 2014 as a Customer Service representative. As Senior Administrator, Megan oversees the workflow and operations of DNA Solutions’ office staff and assists with sales and business development for human identification services.
Prior to joining DNA Solutions, Megan served for 8 years as an office administrator and customer service representative in transportation and healthcare industries.
Dr. Robert Gonzales is scientific advisor for DNA Solutions. Since, 1984, Dr. Gonzales has served in the Administrative and Plant Biology Divisions with The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, specializing in DNA sequencing, genetic analysis, and forage quality analysis. Dr. Gonzales is widely published and active in numerous professional scientific organizations.
Dr. Gonzales received his bachelor's degree in Biology from New Mexico State University. He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Oregon State University.
Elizabeth O'Bannon joined DNA Solutions in 2014 as a laboratory technician and worked diligently to quickly advance to DNA analyst. In 2020, she was promoted to Technical Leader and Laboratory Supervisor. Ms. O'Bannon is a FBI-QAS qualified analyst and holds her individual license with the Texas Forensic Science Commission. She has tested thousands of relationship cases and participated in over one hundred seventy-five forensic cases.
Ms. O'Bannon received her bachelor's degree in zoology and biomedical sciences from the University of Oklahoma, with a minor in history of science. She completed her master's degree in forensic science at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Dr. Dwight Adams is a scientific advisor for DNA Solutions. Dr. Dwight E. Adams, formerly director of the FBI Laboratory in Washington, D.C., has become the first Director of the University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Science Institute. The institute will lead continuing education in forensic science for professionals and enhance UCO's undergraduate and graduate forensic science program. Dr. Adams recently retired from the FBI after serving as Director of the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. The FBI Laboratory consisted of 700 scientific, technical and response personnel and an operational budget of more than $100 million. The FBI Laboratory is the largest and most complex laboratory of its kind in the world. In 2003, he was the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award as Distinguished Executive; the highest award given in the Federal Government..
Dr. Adams was a member of the FBI's research team that developed the DNA techniques first used in 1988. He has testified as a DNA expert in federal, state and local courts for the prosecution and defense in excess of 130 times. He also served on the national DNA Advisory Board responsible for creating standards governing all DNA testing crime laboratories in the U.S and was a member of the Attorney General's National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence. Dr. Adams oversaw the creation of the National DNA database linking 175 crime laboratories and responsible for solving or aiding more than 30,000 cases nationwide. He is the author of numerous scientific publications, mostly in the field of DNA technology applied to human identification.
Dr. Adams received his bachelor's in Biology from the University of Central Oklahoma and his masters in biology from Illinois State University. Dr. Adams also received his Ph.D. Botany from the University of Oklahoma.