Dr. Victor W. Weedn, M.D., J.D.

A board-certified pathologist with wide-ranging experience in medicine, forensic science and computer science, Dr. Victor Weedn is currently a principal research scientist in Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Light Microscope Imaging and Biotechnology, as well as the university’s director of biotechnology and health initiatives. He received his medical degree from the Southwestern Medical School and his law degree from the South Texas College of Law.

After undergoing residency training at the Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Dr. Weedn served as an American Cancer Society Fellow at the MD Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, and was on the faculty at the University of Texas medical branch in Galveston.

Dr. Weedn’s involvement in forensic science began in 1985, when he became deputy medical examiner for Galveston County, Texas. From 1988 to 1997, he served active military duty at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory and the Department of Defense DNA Registry, which stores DNA samples from all military service members and has identified the remains of Czar Nicolas II, the Branch Davidian and TWA Flight 800 victims and the "Unknown Soldier."

In that capacity, Dr. Weedn pioneered mitochondiral and STR DNA typing methods, was involved in DNA microchip development efforts with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and led a task force for the Army Surgeon General charged with the development of a consolidated DOD genetics program. Prior to joining Carnegie Mellon’s faculty, Dr. Weedn served a short time in Alabama as director of the Birmingham Crime Laboratory and a state medical examiner.