• Michael E. Caplis, Ph.D., Laboratory Director
• Byron T. Hagewood, Ph.D., Technical Consultant
• John Parkerson, M.D., M.S., Clinical Consultant
• Michelle M. Volk, B.A., Director of Operations
• Rachel Hamilton, B.S., Laboratory Manager

Laboratory Director

Michael E. Caplis, Ph.D. is the Laboratory Director. Dr. Caplis holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry. His professional experience in forensic toxicology, biochemistry and serology spans 30 years. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University teaching in the Medical School as well as the undergraduate level. Dr. Caplis has trained numerous toxicologists and forensic serologists (blood typing & genetic characterization); many of these individuals now manage other facilities in state, federal and private sectors. He is listed in the National Registry of Who’s Who in Science, The Who’s Who in the Midwest as well as the International Who’s Who in Europe. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology and has been a member of the American Society for Crime Laboratory Directors since its origination. He has served as a guest lecturer at several workshops.

Technical Consultant

Byron T. Hagewood, Ph.D. is the Technical Consultant. Dr. Hagewood holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry graduating with honors (Magna Cum Laude) from Long Island University and received his Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Biochemistry from Purdue University. His professional experience in DNA research and development spans nearly two decades at Purdue University, University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Dr. Hagewood is responsible for technical and scientific consultations in the laboratory. He recommends and reviews test methodologies and reviews test procedures performed and makes recommendations for the laboratory’s test performance characteristics. He consults in resolving technical problems and remedial actions taken whenever test systems deviate from the lab’s established performance specifications. Dr. Hagewood identifies training needs and makes recommendations for individual in-service training and education for laboratory services performed.

Clinical Consultant/Medical Review Officer

John Parkerson, M.D., M.S. is the Clinical Consultant and Medical Review Officer for Department of Transportation clients. Dr. Parkerson holds a B.S. Degree, cum laude, from Davidson College, a M.D. and a M.S. in Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine from the University of Maryland. He is certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners and the Medical Review Officer Certification Council. He is licensed by the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of Delaware and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Dr. Parkerson is an Associate Faculty Member of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences School of Hygiene and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, where he lectures on Occupational Medicine as part of Residency training on Worker’s Compensation Managed Care, Independent Medical Examination and Medical Review Officer duties.

Dr. Parkerson is responsible for the consultation on ordering of tests, appropriateness of tests and interpretation of test results. He is available to provide clinical consultation to clients and assist and assure clients that appropriate tests are ordered. Dr. Parkerson ensures that pertinent information required for specific patient information is available and communicated to the laboratory’s clients on matters related to the quality of test results reported and their interpretation concerning specific patient conditions.

Proficiency Programs

• American Association of BioAnalysts, Proficiency Testing Service
• Collaborative Testing Services
• College of American Pathologists

Memberships

Great Lakes Labs personnel are active members in several professional societies. These include but are not limited to:

• American Association of Forensic Scientists
• American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors
• National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry
• American Academy of Clinical Toxicology
• Society of Forensic Toxicologists
• New York Academy of Sciences

Professional Credentials

Great Lakes Labs is licensed by the Health Professionals Bureau of Indiana, US Department of Justice and the Indiana State Department of Health—CLIA Certification.

Our scientists have eminent credentials in chemistry, biochemistry and biology. Professional credentials by the laboratory and staff include:

• American Academy of Clinical Toxicology
• National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry
• American Association for Clinical Chemistry
• American Academy of Forensic Science
• American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors
• American Institute of Chemists

Accreditations

• State of Indiana, Controlled Substances Registration
• Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Drug Administration
• United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration
• CLIA Certification, Department of Health and Human Services

Certifications

• Toxicologist - Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology
• Toxicologist - American Academy of Clinical Toxicology - Fellow
• Nationally Certified Medical Review Officer
• American Board of Independent Medical Examiners
• American Board of Preventive Medicine
• Associate Faculty, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University