Karen is a Senior Analyst in the Toxicology section of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) in Dublin, where she has been a vital part of the team since 2008. She manages the team responsible for the initial toxicology screening of Road Traffic Act (RTA) specimens. Over her career, Karen’s expertise has been instrumental in enhancing road safety, leading the validation and implementation of new methods, overseeing diverse analytical instrumentation, and supporting the introduction of roadside drug testing across Ireland, among other legislative changes. Karen holds an MSc in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, and a BSc in Analytical Science from Dublin City University.

An active leader in the toxicology community, Karen regularly presents at national and international conferences. She was recently elected as Secretary of the UKIAFT Council and previously served as a member of the organizing team for their 2025 AGM in Dublin. She brings to this role her decade of experience as former Treasurer of the Fire Investigators Association of Ireland (FIAI) along with her dedication and strong organizational skills.