GREETINGS FROM THE NAFEA PRESIDENT

Welcome!

The North American Forensic Entomology Association reaches an important milestone this coming year as we look forward to our 10^th annual meeting. This brings us full circle as our first meeting was also in Las Vegas!

This past year was a busy one for NAFEA. Under the leadership of President Dr. Ken Schoenly and thanks to the dedication and hard work of Past-President Dr. Jason Byrd, we have finalized our charitable, non-profit educational organization status.  We’ve come a long way and are now in the position to give back to the community, starting with travel and presentation awards for our student members.

Each year our meetings get better.  Under the excellent leadership of Dr. Jeff Tomberlin at Texas A & M University in College Station, our 2011 annual meeting was a resounding success with excellent attendance from our membership and attendees from across the globe representing North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. This was truly the most international meeting thus far and illustrates the growth and diversity of our association. I have every faith that Dr. Rich Merritt will exceed our expectations as he organizes our Las Vegas, NV meeting for July 17-19^th, 2012.

Forensic  Entomology is rapidly changing as a discipline, undergoing a paradigm shift along with the
other forensic sciences. NAFEA is embracing this challenge as we continue to push our science forward, embracing best practices, validating our methods and expanding our knowledge with excellent research and the highest ethical standards. As incoming president, I look forward to seeing what this coming year holds!

Cheers,

Sherah VanLaerhoven
President 2011-2012
NAFEA