Jennifer Young

Dr Jennifer Young

Senior Lab Coordinator

School of Biological Sciences

Faculty of Sciences


As a forensic scientist, my research focusses on the application of advanced DNA sequencing technology to answer questions related to crime.  

My PhD research pioneered the use of new metagenomic DNA sequencing approaches for soil forensic DNA profiling: discriminating between crime sites, linking a suspect to a location, locating hidden burials and estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) for buried remains. Following this, I applied my knowledge of environmental metagenomics to answer questions related to biodiversity changes through time. Projects included: (1) examination of coral-macroalgae interactions in the Great Barrier Reef using sediment DNA up to 1,000 years old; (2) examination of low biomass microbial diversity preserved in Ancient Antarctic Ice cores and (3) reconstruction of past environments from ancient New Zealand paleosols up to 10,000 years old. 

My recent research focussed on hybridisation enrichment optimisation to aid in the repatriation of missing Australian WWII servicemen from highly degraded human remains recovered internationally by the Unrecovered War Casualties – Army (UWCA).

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2016 - ongoing Senior Lab Coordinator University od Adelaide
    2016 - 2016 Research Officer University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2016 Research Assistant (Casual) Deakin University
    2014 - 2015 Post Doctoral Researcher University of Adelaide
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2011 - 2014 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    2005 - 2010 University of Strathclyde Scotland Forensic and Analytical Chemistry (MSc)
  • Research Interests

ANZFFS National Travel Award, 2016, $1,300

Sandy Congdon Memorial Scholarship, 2016, ANZFSS SA Branch, $1,000

Faculty of Sciences Early Career Researcher International Travel Scheme, 2015, $2,000

Environment Institute's Early Career Researcher International Conference Scheme Travel Award, 2015, $1,750

Dean’s Commendation for Thesis Excellence, PhD Thesis Conferred November 2014

ANZFFS National Student Travel Award, 2014,

  • Position: Senior Lab Coordinator
  • Phone: 83132187
  • Email: jennifer.young@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: The Braggs, floor 2
  • Org Unit: School of Biological Sciences

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External Profiles