Skip to main content

Hampikian Lab in the News

Audio and Video (*are recommended)

*Pacific Symp. on Biocomputing, 2020 (Nullomers and musing)
*Forensic DNA Mixups, TedX talk 2015
*Convocation 2013 Speech (audio link): “I am Wrong or Ignorant”

M Vac Systems videocast (2021)
M Vac Systems videocast clip 2 (2021)
BBC Radio series “Troubling flaws in Forensic Science”
Science Friday with Ira Flatow (Forensic DNA, Nullomers, podcast, transcript)
Dateline NBC (Chris Tapp Case video, “The Confession”)
NPR (Calvin Johnson case book, “Exit to Freedom”)

News:

Wrongful Conviction Act Compensation Bill (2021)
Boise State research contributes to COVID-19 vaccine design (2020)
Idaho lawmakers consider bill to pay the wrongfully convicted (2020)
Idaho Innoc. Proj. Research Leads to Arrest in 1982 Murder (2020)
Hampikian lab helps free Georgia man wrongly imprisoned for rape (2020)
Michigan Man freed by DNA Evidence, (Oct. 2020)
The Dangers of DNA Testing, New York Times (2018)
Wall Street Journal article on DNA Software
Amanda Knox thanks Greg Hampikian and Idaho Innocence Project at Boise State.
Amanda Knox legal fight highlights fallibility of DNA forensic
Sarah Pearce Freed Boise Idaho Innocence Project
“When May I Shoot a Student?”, New York Times, (most shared OpEd for 30 days)
Today Show visits class (about NYT OpEd)–Link Down
Idaho Innocence Project client Sarah Pearce offered Resolution by State 2014
ITN London Amanda Knox, pro and con, 2014
New Scientist Safeguarding DNA Samples from contamination, Nullomer Tags
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Safeguarding DNA with Nullomer Tags
New York Times (OpEd, “Men Who Needs Them?”)
Le Monde 2013 (Opening the French Innocence Project)
New Scientist, 2012
Science Daily (Nullomer Cancer Drugs)
Peptides (Nullomer Cancer Drugs, 2012 actual paper, large file)
New Scientist, “DNA Too Dangerous to Exist”, (Nullomers, 2007 preview)
USA Today (from American Academy of Forensic Sciences plenary talk 2011
Nature News (Forensic News), Scientific American (Forensic News), Chemical and Engineering News (Forensic News)
CNN Andersen Cooper Knox Case 2014
Le Journal du Dimanche (Amanda Knox case)
Blue Review Essay on Zimmerman and Martin
CNN (Amanda Knox Case)
CNN, “Knox Prosecutor under fire”
CNN Amanda Knox Case, Comments with Brooke Baldwin 2014

Popular Press, Performance

  • “The Dangers of DNA Testing, New York Times, September 21, 2018.
  • “When May I Shoot a Student, New York Times most shared OpEd for 30 days, February 27, 2014
  • “Men, Who Needs Them?”, New York Times, International Herald Tribune, August 25, 2012
  • “Don’t blame crime lab scientists for DNA backlog”, Hartford Courant, December 4, 2011
  • “Your Name in Bold”, play reading at Hyde Park Books, Boise, Idaho, October 25, 2011
  • Inflection Point, staged reading at the Alley Repertory Theater, Bose, ID, July 20, 2009
  • “A student’s sacrifice,” Idaho Statesman, September 7, 2004, article about a student and mother who went off to war. See also story in Newsweek July 18, 2005
  • “Cloning advance: theologians will have to play catch-up,” The Hartford Courant, February 16, 2004
  • “Ideology holds the reins (evolution in Georgia schools),” The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, February 2, 2004
  • “Things Not Seen,” a play, premiere at CSU, Dec 4-6, 11-13, 2003
  • “Your Name in Bold,” a play, premiered at CSU in February, 2002; Winner in the Percolating Playwright contest, presented as a staged reading in the series, Theatre in the Square, Marietta, GA, June 23, 2003
  • “A Connecticut lesson in happiness,” The Hartford Courant, November 8, 1999
  • “Lessons I learned from my father,” The Hartford Courant, August 26, 1999
  • “Mini me; the genetics of family resemblance,” Parents magazine, (consultant for) Isadora Fox, September, 1999
  • “Academic Regalia (Dad’s glad rags),” The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, June 16, 1998
  • “The Genetics of Iceman,” The Salt Lake City Tribune, (consultant for) Terence L. Day, March 28, 1997
  • “Judging Rightly,” The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Dec. 15, 1997
  • “Leftovers,” The Georgia Journal, November, 1997
  • “Building Bridges,” The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 1996
  • “The Cost of Education,” The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Oct. 12, 1995
  • “Electronic Junk Mail,” The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Oct. 1, 1994

Examples of Invited Presentations and Lectures (not updated)

  • Due Process, the Eighth Amendment, November 11, 2011.
  • Three Oaks Academy, Boise, ID, July 12, 2011 and November 5, 2011.
  • Plenary talk at the International Symposium on Human Identification, DC, October 4, 2011
  • University of Idaho Law School, celebration of the Bill of Rights, “Due Process, the Eighth Amendment”, September 14, 2011.
  • Biomatrica Corporation, San Diego, July 21-22, 2011.
  • Lockheed Corporation, Charlottesville, Virginia, Magnetic Shape Memory Micropumps, June 20, 2011
  • Southern Center for Human Rights, NW Atlanta, Georgia, June 15, 2011.
  • Idaho Trial Lawyers Association, June 24, 2011.
  • Indiana Univ. Bloomington, Computer Science Department Seminar, “Forensic Bioinformatics, Nullomers, Primes.”  April 15, 2011.
  • American University in Yerevan, Law School lecture, February 24, 2011
  • Yerevan University Biology Department, Seminar, February 21, 2011
  • Univ. Montana, 3 talks: Law School, IP, Campus; host Jeff Renz, October 28-29, 2010
  • University of Idaho Dept. of Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Nov. 18, 2010
  • Griffith College, Dublin, Ireland, Feb 26-March 6, 2010
  • Kings Inn Law School, Dublin, Ireland, 2010
  • Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2010
    College of Idaho, January 27, 2010
  • Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Layers, (GACDL),  Nov. 6, 2010
  •  Three Oaks Academy, Boise, ID, March 18, 2010
  • “The Innocence Project,” Federal Defenders of Idaho, CLA, August 29, 2009.
  • “Safeguarding DNA,” New England Biolabs, Ipswich Massachusetts, August 13, 2009
  •  DNA in Genealogical Studies”, Idaho Gemological Society workshop, May 9, 2009, 79 participants.
  • “Forensic Science and Justice,” Introduction to Criminal Justice, Professor Mary Stohr, Boise State University, 90 students, 4.30.09
  •  Health Professions College, Boise State University, Lab tour, 14 students 3 professors, 4.27.09, pic1, pic 2
  • “DNA as Narrative,” College of Idaho, Prison Experience course, February 2, 2009
  • “Forensic Science and Justice,” Boise Vista Lions Club, July 3, 2008
  •  Dinner speaker for the American College of Trail Lawyers (ACTL), Idaho, Arid Club, 35 ACTL Fellows and their guests, June 28, 2008
  • “Comedy, Science, Justice: Sometimes Colbert says it best,” School of Arts and Sciences talk for Broncoventure at BSU, 80 incoming students, 8 professors, July 8, 2008
  • “Forensic Lab Tour,” Science and Chardonnay Series, 26 community members, June 24, 2008
  • “Science vs Testimony, lessons from the Innocence Project Cases,” 3 hour guest lecture for Psychology and Law, PSYC 459, April 7, 2008
  • “DNA and other chemicals,” Lecture for Toxicology class, Boise State University, March 20, 2008
  • “Students Free the Innocent,” Capitol Scholars Program, Boise State University, March 8, 2008
  • “Hurricane Carter at the University of Washington Law School,” panel discussion and talk on Burns Rafay case, March 4, 2008
  • “Statistical DNA,” guest lecture in MATH 297 / BIOL 497 Biomolecular Computing in Nature, BSU, February 27, 2008
  • “Novel Applications in Forensic DNA: Nullomers, Primes, and the protection of Innocence,” NCBI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda Maryland, February 20, 2008
  • “Forensic non-fiction,” College of Idaho, February 13, 2008
  • “DNA, Social Sciences, and The Arts How Collaboration Frees the Innocents,” President’s Food for Thought series, BSU, November 8, 2007, BSU
  • “Molecular Identity: Anthropological and Forensic Applications of DNA,” Friends of Anthropology, Boise State University, November 4, 2007
  • “DNA and Justice,” American University in Paris, 70 students, University Lecture, and 2 lab presentations, October 23, 24, 2007
  • “The Science of Innocence,” 3-hour guest lecture for Psychology and Law, PSYC 459, BSU, April 30, 2007
  • “Forensic Science and Genetic Engineering: DNA Speaks for the Dead and Missing,” Evening with Industry, Society of Women Engineers fundraising dinner, March 15, 2006
  • “DNA Freeing the Innocent: Two Exonerations after 17 Years in Prison,” New Horizons in Forensic Science, 2005 International Forensic Science Symposium, Taipei, Taiwan, November 8, 2005
  • “Solving Crimes with DNA: How Science Convicts and Exonerates, “10:00 AM-Noon, Renaissance Institute, The Flicks, 646 Fulton St., Boise Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005
  • “True Life from the Innocence Project,” True West Film Festival, panel discussion with Jessica Sanders, Director of the Sundance Winning film, “After Innocence,” Boise, ID., August 28, 2005
  • “DNA analysis in the application of justice” Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN) Workshop, Boise State Univ., July 23, 2005
  • “Ethics in the genetics class: But why is it wrong?,” invited seminar for Forensic Science for College Educators, The Center for Advanced Genetics Technologies at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, July 12, 2005
  • “DNA and the Death Penalty,” NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Airlie, Virginia, July 23, 2005
  • “Idaho and Georgia Innocence Projects,” invited presentation for Court TV producers and reporters, Manhattan, July 11, 2005
  • “Forensic DNA: questions and answers on current Innocence Project cases,” Innocence Project at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, New York, July 11, 2005
  • “Forensic DNA databases: Opportunities and limits,” Invited talk, Practical Bioinformatics Workshop, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, June 21-22, 2005
  • “DNA evaluation in post-conviction cases,” seminar for law interns at the Georgia Innocence Project, Atlanta, June 8, 2005
  • “DNA fingerprints and civil rights,” Invited Talk for the University of Connecticut, DNA and Civil Liberties course, in conjunction with the dedication of the Center for Applied Genetics Technology forensic laboratory, April 29, 2005
  • “Courtroom data: the impact of science in jury trials,” Guest lecture for Psychology and Law, PSYC 459, April 11, 2005
  • “Forensic writing,” Coeur du Bois Chapter writers association, 2-hour presentation, Saturday March 5, 2005 Boise, ID
  • “Justice; how much is just enough,” Professor’s Upper Room Dinner Dialogue, cornerstone Bookstore, Boise, February 15, 2005
  • “DNA: Molecular truth Serum, Department of Chemistry Seminar, Boise State, January, 28, 2005
  • “Forensic Technology,” guest lecture for Emerging Technology Entrepreneurship, MBA 585, (appointed to the MBA 585 Scientific Advisory Board), January 24, 2005
  • “Cell Biology for Engineers,” guest lecture for Biocompatability and Environmental Degradation, MSE 497/597, Boise State College of Engineering, January 19, 2005
  • “Nullomers and Primes,” for the Bioinformatics Seminar, Boise State, November, 2004
  • “DNA in the Courtroom,” Boise State University Student Center, April 2004
  • “DNA evidence and exonerations,” Science in the Courtroom,” Seminar, Atlanta, April 22, 2004
  • “Writing science and fiction,” International Author’s Seminar Series, Shakespeare and Company, Paris, December 13, 2004
  • “DNA, Justice and Science,” faculty of the University of Paris, Department of Contemporary Criminology, December 10, 2004
  • “The Calvin Johnson Case: the Miracle of DNA,” International Author’s Seminar Series, Shakespeare and Company, Paris, December 6, 2004
  • “Sexual Development,” Point of View conference, Boise State University, August 17, 2004
  • “Applications of molecular biology in Forensic Science,” Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN) Workshop, Boise State Univ., August, 2004″
  • Natural Born Killers: Bioactive Surfaces. Lucia, L.A.; Montegna, J.; Hampikian, G. (Presented by L. Lucia), MARTECH (Materials Research and Technology, FSU, Tallahassee, FL (June 2004).
  • “DNA and the first test of the new Georgia evidence preservation law,” Biology Seminar, Georgia State University, February 20, 2004
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, dinner speaker, Boise, ID, 48 participants, June 27, 2009
  • Keynote at Freedom March for the Wrongfully Convicted, Boise, ID, June 27, 2009
  • UK Innocence Project. invited talk for London barristers and court professionals, Temple Law Courts, Arundel House, London, 170 participants, June 8, 2009
  • Idaho Sheriff’s Association, DNA preservation, (Greg Hampikian, Michael Davis and Rick Visser) presented by Visser and Davis
  • “DNA in the Courts”, Blood and Urine Conference, San Diego, CA, 120 participants, May 14-17, 2009
  • Wyoming Public Defenders, “Forensic DNA Analysis,” October 3, 2008
  • Alaska Innocence Project, “DNA in Post conviction Testing,” September 12, 2008
  • Service central de preservation des prelevements biologiques, Cergy pontoise, France, June 4, 2008
  • Ada County Sheriff’s Office, 3 hour DNA workshop for crime lab personnel, March 21, 2008
  • Nampa Crime Lab, 3 hour DNA workshop for crime lab personnel, February 14, 2008
  • Centre Technique De La Gendarmerie Nationale, Institut de researche criminelle de la gendarmerie Nationale, Cergy Pontoise, France, October 21, 2007
  • National Bar Association, Atlanta, GA “DNA in Cold Cases, and Postconviction,” panel discussion, August 7, 2007
  • July 10, 2007, Georgia Innocence Project, DNA Evidence: Intern Training Workshop, Atlanta, Georgia
  • Boise Association of Legal Professionals, “DNA for the legal professional,” April 27, 2007
  • March 25, 2007, Advanced DNA: What You Need to Know About Y-STR and Mitochondrial DNA Testing, Panelists: Greg Hampikian (Idaho Innocence Project, Georgia Innocence Project), Cassie Johnson (Orchid Cellmark Laboratory), Nina Morrison (Innocence Project, New York), Innocence Network Conference 2007, Harvard University
  • February 20, 2007, “DNA 101,” Carll Ladd (Connecticut State Police Forensic Lab), Greg Hampikian, Eric Carita (Connecticut State Police Forensic Lab), American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 59th Annual meeting, San Antonio, Session Co-chair, 3.75 CE Units
  • October 20, 2006, “Hands-on Forensic Biology and DNA Fingerprinting,” This course was been approved by the Idaho State Bar, Idaho Nurses Association, and the State of Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training for Continuing Education Credits, 8.5 hour lab course: coroners, police, lawyers, 10 participants
  • March 18, 2006, Innocence Network Conference, University of Washington School of Law, “DNA Evidence Explained: What Do All These Numbers Mean?”, 27 participants
  • February, 2006 “Forensic DNA for the Non-scientist,” American Academy of Forensic Sciences, organizer and instructor, 50 participants, 2 hour continuing education workshop, annual meeting in Seattle
  • July 23, 2005 “DNA and the Death Penalty,” NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Airlie, Virginia
  • June 8, 2005 “DNA Evaluation in Old (Post-Conviction) Cases”, workshop for Innocence Project Law Interns, Atlanta, GA
  • June 7, 2005 “Forensic DNA for Lawyers,” CEU course for lawyers, Atlanta, GA
  • March 11, 2005 “DNA evidence interpretation,” for the Idaho Criminal Defense Lawyers, Annual Meeting. Two workshops given, 2-hours, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit, 60 participants, Sun Valley, ID,
  • August 18, 2004,”DNA evidence: cases in point,” Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho, 1 hour legal CE, 24 participants, Boise, ID

Examples of Presentations for Other Groups (not updated)

  • DePaul University, Chicago, Ill., BSU Foundation, December 5, 2011 Death Penalty Round Table, Nov. 14, 2011
  • Seattle, Boise State Alumni Talk, BSU Foundation, December 1, 2011
  • City Club of Boise, Nov. 29, 2011
  •  Food For Thought, Boise State University, October 17, 2011
  • Sunrise Rotary, Sept 28, 2010
  • Boise Rotary Club, Wed, June 9, 2010
  • TRIO program Students visit to my lab, June 18, 2010
  • EDUFEST Teachers, visit my lab, July 28, 2010
  • Arbiter On-line reporter and crew, July 29, 2010
  • Welsh/Garcia Productions: for Idaho Innocence Project Fundraiser, October 19, 2010
  • Lockheed researchers, on Micropumps and DNA testing, 2010
  • Tom Donndelinger, BiBiomics, 2010
  • West Vet presentation on Next Gen technology, 2010
  • BioMatrica, CA, July 27, 2010
  • SOS, Treasure Valley Technology, CEO, Paul Thomas, 2010
  • Gene Ralston, body recovery submarines, April 2, 2010
Back To Top