About Dana Loyal
Dana Loyal is a young professional who has experience in forensic science. Throughout her life, she has had a passion for learning about biology. She has always found the human body interesting, which led her into a career in forensic science. Dana Loyal has recently begun her career in this field and hopes to continue to learn and grow as a scientist.
After high school, Dana Loyal decided to attend Centenary University, which is a private liberal arts university located in her home state of New Jersey. There, Dana completed a bachelor of science degree in biology with a concentration in forensic science. Forensic science is the discipline where scientists analyze physical crime evidence, which will then be used in the courts and criminal investigations. The degree program focuses on educating students on all facets of biology while also teaching them aspects of forensic science through criminal justice teachings. The university also gives students many opportunities to participate and contribute to various research projects.
Dana has been able to participate in and present numerous research projects while at university. In 2017, Dana was selected to participate in a team of international bioarcheologists and forensic anthropologists to analyze and process 14th-century juvenile human remains. The remains were housed at the Haaz Rezso Museum in Romania. In this project, Dana was able to get hands-on experience in bioarchaeology research and has since presented the research on numerous occasions at various events. Dana presented at the Second Annual Colloquium on Osteology and Transylvanian Bioarchaeology, Centenary University Forensics Seminar, and Liberty Science Center regarding the research conducted in Romania.
Aside from her research in Romania, Dana Loyal has also participated in research in Dysautonomia and Heart Rate Variability. During the five months she participated in the research, Dana learned more about the human body. Dana was an Honorary Speaker and presented the research at Rutherford Hall. She has also worked on Breast Cancer Meta-Analysis research in 2018, which she presented at the Centenary University Faculty Research Presentation. Dana has continued to learn and expand her knowledge of biology through her participation in these projects.
Throughout her academic career, Dana Loyal interned at the Morristown Medical Center Morgue. Over the three years working there, Dana eventually began working as a Morgue Tech Assistant. Her primary responsibilities included aiding in autopsies by preparing autopsy rooms and tools and assisting in acquiring tissue samples while maintaining a chain of evidence procedures and the dignity of the deceased. She worked under the direction of the Medical Examiner and the Forensic Pathologist. Dana has also previously worked at a funeral home as a Funeral Home Assistant. These experiences have helped guide and mold her interests and career path. She hopes to take on a role in a morgue setting working in pathology.
Outside of her work, Dana Loyal is passionate about dance and has worked as a dance class instructor for years. She also enjoys doing different crafts, DIY type of projects, and gardening.
In August 2021, Dana will attend The University of Toledo to complete an accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program and receive her Master of Science in Biomedical Science (MSBS) degree to become a Pathologists’ Assistant.
Be sure to check out Dana’s blogs and to follow her online!
