Welcoming Jeri Ropero-Miller as the New JFS Editor-in-Chief

For those of you who read my last communication, you may recall that it began with a bit of angst. I am delighted to report that this announcement comes with none of that — only excitement and gratitude!

Before his departure, Mike Peat established an Editor-in-Chief (EIC) Search Committee tasked with identifying his successor. The committee included Mike, two current Associate Editors, two Editorial Board members who are frequent reviewers, and a current member of the Board of Directors. I extend my sincere thanks to the committee members for their time and thoughtful consideration as well as to everyone who applied for this important position. Following a careful review of the applicants and interviews with those advancing to the next round, the committee recommended Jeri Ropero-Miller for the EIC role.

The Board enthusiastically endorsed Dr. Ropero-Miller as the next Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Forensic Sciences (JFS). I then had the distinct pleasure of calling Jeri on behalf of the Board of Directors to offer her the position. Happily, she said "yes," and I can now share this wonderful news with the entire Academy!

A Career Spanning Science, Policy, and Practice

Dr. Ropero-Miller is a Senior Fellow in the Center for Forensics and Public Safety at RTI International. Her research spans postmortem and hair drug studies, emerging drugs, drug surveillance, medicolegal death investigation, laboratory operations, justice policy and practice, and technology evaluation. From 2011 to 2025, she led both National Institute of Justice's Forensic Technology Center of Excellence and its Criminal Justice Technology Testing and Evaluation Center. She also directed national censuses of crime laboratories and medical examiner and coroner offices, as well as over 20 laboratory research projects. These efforts culminated in more than 75 peer-reviewed publications and hundreds technical reports, book chapters, and national and international scientific presentations.

She earned her PhD in forensic toxicology and clinical chemistry from the University of Florida College of Medicine and is a certified Fellow of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology. She is the 2026 President of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, serves on the ABFT Board of Directors and the District of Columbia Scientific Advisory Board, and until recently served on the NIST OSAC Forensic Science Standards Board. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to advancing forensic science through research, policy, and practical application.

Deep Roots in the Academy and the Journal

Dr. Ropero-Miller's involvement with the Academy began in 1997, when she joined as a Student Affiliate. Over the years, she progressed to Fellow status in 2006 and went on to serve the Academy in numerous leadership roles, including Toxicology Section Chair, Annual Meeting Program Chair, Board member, Vice President, Secretary, and President. She also chaired Media & Publication Relations. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to forensic toxicology, the Academy honored her with the Irving Sunshine Award in 2003 and the Rolla N. Harger Award in 2022.

Her connection to JFS is equally longstanding. She first published in the Journal in 1998 and has served as an invited reviewer since 2005. Her editorial experience includes more than two decades on the editorial board of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, a seat on the editorial board of Forensic Science International: Synergy, and service as an Associate Editor for RTI Press.

I had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors during Jeri's presidency, and I consider her not only a friend but also a mentor. Having seen her leadership firsthand, I am particularly pleased to share this announcement.

Looking Ahead

Mike Peat has set a high bar, and as I noted in my previous communication, JFS continues to reach new levels of excellence. As the Academy's scholarly voice, the Journal publishes peer-reviewed research across the full range of forensic disciplines. Dr. Ropero-Miller's scientific and editorial experience, deep ties to the Academy, and focus on translating research into practice provide a strong foundation for her leadership of the Journal.

I would be remiss, however, if I did not acknowledge one particularly interesting detail about this transition: Dr. Ropero-Miller, a forensic toxicologist, is succeeding Dr. Peat, also a forensic toxicologist. I recently remarked to President-Elect Sarah Kerrigan — yes, another forensic toxicologist — that it seems toxicologists are taking over the world!

Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Jeri Ropero-Miller as the new Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Forensic Sciences. I am also on the JFS Editorial Board and look forward to working with Jeri in that role. I wish her and the editorial team every success in the years ahead!