Dr. Erin L. Karschner received her Ph.D. in Toxicology with a concentration in Forensic and Analytical Toxicology from the University of Maryland-Baltimore. She performed her doctoral and post-doctoral research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). During her time at NIDA, Dr. Karschner conducted a clinical research study with cannabinoid pharmaceuticals and studied cannabinoid disposition in chronic cannabis smokers. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship at NIDA, she worked for a private toxicology laboratory where she developed and validated analytical methods for pain management medications, illicit drugs, and emerging designer drugs.

Dr. Karschner is a board-certified Fellow of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology. She currently serves as a laboratory certifying official, expert witness, and subject matter expert in the area of forensic toxicology. She is an advisor for technical issues related to research initiatives and the implementation of effective analytical countermeasures to combat emerging drug threats.

Dr. Karschner has 22 peer-reviewed publications and has presented her research at national and international venues. She has been invited to speak at the Joint Service Drug Testing Program Managers’ Symposium, the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education’s Current Trends in Forensic Toxicology Symposium, the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Webinar Series, the American College of Toxicology Meeting, the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists Meeting, and the American College of Medical Toxicologists Symposium, among others.

Dr. Karschner is a member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) and the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). Her research was recognized by the SOFT Educational Research Award in 2009, the AAFS Toxicology Section June K. Jones Award in 2010, the AAFS Toxicology Section Irving Sunshine Award in 2018, and the TIAFT Best Bulletin Paper Award in 2021. Dr. Karschner currently serves on the SOFT/AAFS Drugs and Driving Committee and is the Cannabis Section Chair for the National Safety Council’s Alcohol, Drugs, and Impairment Division.