George Mason forensic scientist receives 2025 Dominion Energy Strong Men and Women in Virginia History award
On Thursday, February 6, in Richmond, Virginia, Forensic Science professor Kelly Knight was one of five distinguished colleagues to receive the 2025 Dominion Energy Strong Men and Women in Virginia History award. Sponsored by Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia, this state-wide award honors Black American leaders in Virginia and gives recipients $5K to donate to a non-profit of their choice. Knight selected George Mason’s FOCUS (Females of Color and those Underrepresented in STEM) program that supports young girls interested in STEM fields. Under Knight's leadership, the FOCUS program celebrated its tenth anniversary since launching the camp for middle school girls. It has since expanded to include programming for high school students and STEM teachers.
When Knight received her award, she shared the following advice with those in attendance.
Take a chance.
Take a chance on someone else. Success means nothing if we rise to the top alone. Reach back to help others, especially those facing barriers beyond their control that may keep them from reaching their full potential.
And take a chance on yourself. This idea of having imposter syndrome is often pushed on many of us who don’t look like the other people in the spaces we are in. We are sometimes made to feel like we don’t belong, as if there is something wrong with us and as if we haven’t earned our accomplishments. But I am here to tell you: That is not true.
You have earned and you will earn every accomplishment. You deserve to dream big and you deserve to reach your full potential. So, stand strong knowing that and chase every goal with tenacity and ambition.
About Professor Kelly Knight:
Kelly Knight is a professor with the highly regarded George Mason University Forensic Science Program and part of the College of Science STEM Accelerator. Knight teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in forensic DNA and forensic chemistry and is also the principal investigator of the forensic DNA laboratory, which recently opened its new facilities on George Mason’s Science and Technology campus in Manassas, VA. As one of the STEM Accelerator faculty, she guides and mentors undergraduate students in George Mason’s Forensic Science Program and coordinates K-12 STEM outreach including the Females of Color and those Underrepresented in STEM summer programs for middle and high school girls.
Knight’s career in forensics began in 2005 as a DNA technician for the Bode Technology DNA laboratory. She then worked in the Dawson Cruz forensic biology laboratory as a research associate and laboratory manager while completing her studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduating from VCU, Knight worked for years as a forensic DNA analyst with the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division in the forensic biology technical unit. As a part of the technical unit, she processed casework, performed research and validation, trained other forensic biologists, and was involved in quality assurance and quality control.
Having qualified as an expert in both forensic serology and forensic DNA analysis, Knight has testified in several court trials involving crimes such as homicides and sexual assaults. At some point between testifying in court and leading tours as the laboratory tour coordinator, Knight discovered her love for teaching. She realized how passionate she was about sharing the science she loved with others. This passion inspired her to begin her career as an adjunct professor while still working for the Maryland State Police.
Knight enjoys staying involved in the forensic science community and has remained active in professional organizations since beginning her education in forensic science. She has served as the biology section chair for the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists twice and was promoted to the rank of Fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 2020.
Knight obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from The George Washington University in 2006 and her Master of Forensic Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2008. She is currently completing her doctoral degree in Science Education Research at George Mason University.
