Unveiling the Science Behind the Mystery: Exploring Forensics, Toxicology, Medicine and Health (Mind, Body and Spirit)

 
Dr. Geraldine M. Dowling SFHEA is an accomplished professional with over 20 years’ experience in forensic, analytical toxicology, food safety, drug residue testing, method validation, ISO17025 laboratory accreditation and more than 10 years’ experience in academia as an educator. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), accreditation awarded for excellence in teaching/research/leadership within higher education reflecting extensive experience and significant contributions to improving educational practices, research, mentoring  academics and professionals  and enhancing the overall quality of teaching and learning in academic settings in Ireland and abroad and in industry. 

She is the creator and host of The Analytical Zen Podcast, an educational series designed to make complex scientific concepts accessible to both students and the general public (available on Spotify etc). Dr. Dowling is currently elected Vice Chair of the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (body represents forensic toxicology professionals in England, Ireland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Channel Islands). She is the elected International Association of Forensic Toxicologists  regional representative for the Republic of Ireland, a member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists in America and elected member of the London Toxicology Group Committee. 

She has extensive experience in working/training professional staff and students in ISO17025 accredited national government laboratories in Ireland, including The State Laboratory, Teagasc, The National Dairy Science Laboratory, The Irish Equine Centre and The Marine Institute. She is a Principal Investigator supervising postgraduate students (PhD/MSc). Her research interests focus on analytical chemistry, lab accreditation, forensic science, forensic/clinical toxicology, metabolomics, medicine, flavoromics, food safety and education pedagogies. 

Dr. Dowling is a contributing author, reviewer and editor across selected international journals e.g. Drug Testing and Analysis, Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Forensic Science Review, Journal of Forensic Research, Frontiers in Molecular Physiology etc.  She is currently preparing five Special Issues for academic journals, scheduled for publication in 2025 and 2026, covering topics such as forensic and clinical toxicology, analytical chemistry, educational pedagogies and metabolomics. In addition, she has written, edited/co-authored four books. She has presented her work through invited lectures across multiple countries.

Dr. Dowling is the Editor-in-Chief of The Gazette, the official publication of the International Alliance of Clinical and Forensic Toxicologists (ISSN: 3088-6600), as well as the Editor-in-Chief of the Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal (ISSN: 2990-8167).

Dr. Dowling’s research, spanning over two decades, has led to the development of analytical tools adopted by international agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as national agencies in Ireland, including the Marine Institute.  These methodologies have served as essential regulatory tools for over 13 years and continue to be used both nationally and internationally today demonstrating the sustained scientific and public health impact of her work.