Sreetharan Kanthaswamy

Dr. Sreetharan Kanthaswamy is a professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics (SIF) at Arizona State University’s West campus and a Research Geneticist at the National Biomedical Research Institute (NBRI) at the University of California, Davis. His work integrates forensic genetics, population genomics, and conservation genetics to understand how anthropogenic and natural forces shape genetic variation in both natural and captive primate populations.

In forensic science, Dr. Kanthaswamy’s research focuses on the analysis of biological traces, blood, saliva, hair, and other evidentiary materials, collected from crime scenes and civil investigations for forensic DNA typing. His laboratory develops species‑specific STRs, SNPs, and mtDNA markers to improve the accuracy of genetic identification and strengthen population databases for human and non‑human species. He also provides expert‑witness testimony and casework review in human and veterinary forensic DNA investigations.

Dr. Kanthaswamy earned his bachelor’s degree with honors and his master’s degree in genetics from the University of Malaya in Malaysia. He completed his PhD in genetics at the University of California, Davis, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Before joining ASU in 2015, he served as a professor in the Environmental Toxicology Department at UC Davis and as a visiting professor in the Environmental Studies Department at California State University, Sacramento.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Kanthaswamy has expanded forensic and genomic capacity, mentoring diverse trainees, and creating research opportunities that support first‑generation and underrepresented students. His work bridges human and wildlife forensics, advancing both scientific discovery and applied justice.