Dr. Hughes-Stamm is currently a Senior Lecturerer in Anatomy and the head of the Forensic Biology Human Identification Laboratory.
She received her undergraduate science degree in the fields of Human Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Queensland in Australia, and has over ten years teaching experience in the fields of anatomy and human dissection, histology and forensic anthropology, and forensic biology across various universities within Australia and the USA. In 2012, Sheree completed a PhD in Health Sciences (Forensic Genetics) at Bond University on the Gold Coast investigating forensic DNA typing methods for highly degraded samples such as those recovered from mass disasters, shipwrecks and ancient remains in conjunction with DNA repair techniques and phenotypic SNP analysis.
Upon completing her doctorate degree, Dr. Hughes-Stamm joined the Department of Forensic science at Sam Houston State University in Texas USA as an Assistant Professor of Forensic Science, and was appointed as the Director of Graduate Programs in 2015. Dr. Hughes-Stamm was also appointed by the Governor of Texas to the Texas Forensic Science Commission in 2015, and served as the vice-chair from 2016-2018. She is also a member of the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS), International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), Association of Forensic DNA Analysts and Administrators (AFDAA), and the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS).
Whether it be routine forensic casework, missing persons’ cases, or events such as natural or mass disasters, military conflicts, or terrorist attacks, the ability to identify a victim or suspect from biological evidence or human remains is of extreme importance.
Forensic scientists may be faced with the task of processing hundreds or even thousands of samples for DNA identification. The enormity of a disaster often results in delayed recovery and processing of bodies. In remote and tropical locations, the delayed disaster victim identification (DVI) response and lack of resources such as refrigerated mortuaries quickly result in decomposition and skeletonisation of the human remains. This leads to severe degradation of DNA in these tissues making DNA identification more difficult.
Therefore, our research focuses on developing and testing various DNA preservation methods, more efficient, quicker techniques to collect DNA in the field, extract DNA from challenging samples, and alternate approaches to genotyping and sequencing in the laboratory for human identification purposes. The combination of these alternate methods for all aspects of sample processing has tremendous potential for forensic application and ultimately criminal justice investigation.
Journal Article: Assessment of impact of DNA extraction methods on analysis of human remain samples on massively parallel sequencing success
Zeng, Xiangpei, Elwick, Kyleen, Mayes, Carrie, Takahashi, Maiko, King, Jonathan L, Gangitano, David, Budowle, Bruce and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Assessment of impact of DNA extraction methods on analysis of human remain samples on massively parallel sequencing success. International Journal of Legal Medicine, . doi:10.1007/s00414-018-1955-9
Journal Article: In-field collection and preservation of decomposing human tissues to facilitate rapid purification and STR typing
Holmes, Amy S., Roman, Madeline G. and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) In-field collection and preservation of decomposing human tissues to facilitate rapid purification and STR typing. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 36 124-129. doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.06.015
Journal Article: Comparative tolerance of two massively parallel sequencing systems to common PCR inhibitors
Elwick, Kyleen, Zeng, Xiangpei, King, Jonathan, Budowle, Bruce and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Comparative tolerance of two massively parallel sequencing systems to common PCR inhibitors. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 132 4: 983-995. doi:10.1007/s00414-017-1693-4
Journal Article: Evaluation of four commercial quantitative real-time PCR kits with inhibited and degraded samples
Holmes, Amy S., Houston, Rachel, Elwick, Kyleen, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Evaluation of four commercial quantitative real-time PCR kits with inhibited and degraded samples. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 132 3: 691-701. doi:10.1007/s00414-017-1745-9
Journal Article: Evaluation of a powder-free DNA extraction method for skeletal Remains
Harrel, Michelle, Mayes, Carrie, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Evaluation of a powder-free DNA extraction method for skeletal Remains. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 63 6: 1819-1823. doi:10.1111/1556-4029.13749
Journal Article: Analysis of DNA from post-blast pipe bomb fragments for identification and determination of ancestry
Tasker, Esiri, LaRue, Bobby, Beherec, Charity, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2017) Analysis of DNA from post-blast pipe bomb fragments for identification and determination of ancestry. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 28 195-202. doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2017.02.016
Journal Article: Comparison of DNA yield and STR success rates from different tissues in embalmed bodies
Wheeler, Amanda, Czado, Natalia, Gangitano, David, Turnbough, Meredith and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2017) Comparison of DNA yield and STR success rates from different tissues in embalmed bodies. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 131 1: 61-66. doi:10.1007/s00414-016-1405-5
Zeng, Xiangpei, Elwick, Kyleen, Mayes, Carrie, Takahashi, Maiko, King, Jonathan L, Gangitano, David, Budowle, Bruce and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Assessment of impact of DNA extraction methods on analysis of human remain samples on massively parallel sequencing success. International Journal of Legal Medicine, . doi:10.1007/s00414-018-1955-9
Holmes, Amy S., Roman, Madeline G. and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) In-field collection and preservation of decomposing human tissues to facilitate rapid purification and STR typing. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 36 124-129. doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.06.015
Comparative tolerance of two massively parallel sequencing systems to common PCR inhibitors
Elwick, Kyleen, Zeng, Xiangpei, King, Jonathan, Budowle, Bruce and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Comparative tolerance of two massively parallel sequencing systems to common PCR inhibitors. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 132 4: 983-995. doi:10.1007/s00414-017-1693-4
Evaluation of four commercial quantitative real-time PCR kits with inhibited and degraded samples
Holmes, Amy S., Houston, Rachel, Elwick, Kyleen, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Evaluation of four commercial quantitative real-time PCR kits with inhibited and degraded samples. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 132 3: 691-701. doi:10.1007/s00414-017-1745-9
Evaluation of a powder-free DNA extraction method for skeletal Remains
Harrel, Michelle, Mayes, Carrie, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Evaluation of a powder-free DNA extraction method for skeletal Remains. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 63 6: 1819-1823. doi:10.1111/1556-4029.13749
Analysis of DNA from post-blast pipe bomb fragments for identification and determination of ancestry
Tasker, Esiri, LaRue, Bobby, Beherec, Charity, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2017) Analysis of DNA from post-blast pipe bomb fragments for identification and determination of ancestry. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 28 195-202. doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2017.02.016
Comparison of DNA yield and STR success rates from different tissues in embalmed bodies
Wheeler, Amanda, Czado, Natalia, Gangitano, David, Turnbough, Meredith and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2017) Comparison of DNA yield and STR success rates from different tissues in embalmed bodies. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 131 1: 61-66. doi:10.1007/s00414-016-1405-5
A powder-free DNA extraction workflow for skeletal samples
Harrel, Michelle and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2019) A powder-free DNA extraction workflow for skeletal samples. Journal of Forensic Sciences, . doi:10.1111/1556-4029.14197
Utility of the Ion S5™ and MiSeq FGx™ sequencing platforms to characterize challenging human remains
Elwick, Kyleen, Bus, Magdalena M., King, Jonathan L., Chang, Joseph, Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and Budowle, Bruce (2019) Utility of the Ion S5™ and MiSeq FGx™ sequencing platforms to characterize challenging human remains. Legal Medicine, . doi:10.1016/j.legalmed.2019.08.001
Mayes, Carrie, Houston, Rachel, Seashols-Williams, Sarah, LaRue, Bobby and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2019) The stability and persistence of blood and semen mRNA and miRNA targets for body fluid identification in environmentally challenged and laundered samples. Legal Medicine, 38 45-50. doi:10.1016/j.legalmed.2019.03.007
Tasker, Esiri, Mayes, Carrie, LaRue, Bobby and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2019) Collection and direct amplification methods using the GlobalFiler™ kit for DNA recovered from common pipe bomb substrates. Science and Justice, 59 5: 580-584. doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2019.06.002
Zeng, Xiangpei, Elwick, Kyleen, Mayes, Carrie, Takahashi, Maiko, King, Jonathan L, Gangitano, David, Budowle, Bruce and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Assessment of impact of DNA extraction methods on analysis of human remain samples on massively parallel sequencing success. International Journal of Legal Medicine, . doi:10.1007/s00414-018-1955-9
Massively parallel sequencing of 12 autosomal STRs in Cannabis sativa
Houston, Rachel, Mayes, Carrie, King, Jonathan L., Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and Gangitano, David (2018) Massively parallel sequencing of 12 autosomal STRs in Cannabis sativa. Electrophoresis, . doi:10.1002/elps.201800152
Holmes, Amy S., Roman, Madeline G. and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) In-field collection and preservation of decomposing human tissues to facilitate rapid purification and STR typing. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 36 124-129. doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.06.015
Comparative tolerance of two massively parallel sequencing systems to common PCR inhibitors
Elwick, Kyleen, Zeng, Xiangpei, King, Jonathan, Budowle, Bruce and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Comparative tolerance of two massively parallel sequencing systems to common PCR inhibitors. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 132 4: 983-995. doi:10.1007/s00414-017-1693-4
Harrel, Michelle, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) The effects of extra PCR cycles when amplifying skeletal samples with the GlobalFiler® PCR Amplification Kit. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 1-6. doi:10.1007/s00414-018-1860-2
Cooke, Eric M., Armstrong, Todd, Boisvert, Danielle, Wells, Jessica, Lewis, Richard H., Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and Gangitano, David (2018) The relationship between the MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism, delinquent peer affiliation, and antisocial behavior with a consideration of sex differences. Psychiatric Quarterly, 89 4: 841-853. doi:10.1007/s11126-018-9582-7
Evaluation of four commercial quantitative real-time PCR kits with inhibited and degraded samples
Holmes, Amy S., Houston, Rachel, Elwick, Kyleen, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Evaluation of four commercial quantitative real-time PCR kits with inhibited and degraded samples. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 132 3: 691-701. doi:10.1007/s00414-017-1745-9
Evaluation of a powder-free DNA extraction method for skeletal Remains
Harrel, Michelle, Mayes, Carrie, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) Evaluation of a powder-free DNA extraction method for skeletal Remains. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 63 6: 1819-1823. doi:10.1111/1556-4029.13749
A capillary electrophoresis method for identifying forensically relevant body fluids using miRNAs
Mayes, Carrie, Seashols-Williams, Sarah and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2018) A capillary electrophoresis method for identifying forensically relevant body fluids using miRNAs. Legal Medicine, 30 1-4. doi:10.1016/j.legalmed.2017.10.013
Wells, Jessica, Armstrong, Todd, Boisvert, Danielle, Lewis, Richard, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2017) Stress, genes, and generalizability across gender: effects of Maoa and stress sensitivity on crime and delinquency. Criminology, 55 3: 548-574. doi:10.1111/1745-9125.12147
Analysis of DNA from post-blast pipe bomb fragments for identification and determination of ancestry
Tasker, Esiri, LaRue, Bobby, Beherec, Charity, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2017) Analysis of DNA from post-blast pipe bomb fragments for identification and determination of ancestry. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 28 195-202. doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2017.02.016
Houston, Rachel, Birck, Matthew, Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and Gangitano, David (2017) Developmental and internal validation of a novel 13 loci STR multiplex method for Cannabis sativa DNA profiling. Legal Medicine, 26 33-40. doi:10.1016/j.legalmed.2017.03.001
Comparison of DNA yield and STR success rates from different tissues in embalmed bodies
Wheeler, Amanda, Czado, Natalia, Gangitano, David, Turnbough, Meredith and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2017) Comparison of DNA yield and STR success rates from different tissues in embalmed bodies. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 131 1: 61-66. doi:10.1007/s00414-016-1405-5
Preservation and rapid purification of DNA from decomposing human tissue samples
Sorensen, Amy, Rahman, Elizabeth, Canela, Cassandra, Gangitano, David and Hughes-Stamm, Sheree (2016) Preservation and rapid purification of DNA from decomposing human tissue samples. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 25 182-190. doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2016.05.013
Direct-to-PCR tissue preservation for DNA profiling
Sorensen, Amy, Berry, Clare, Bruce, David, Gahan, Michelle Elizabeth, Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and McNevin, Dennis (2016) Direct-to-PCR tissue preservation for DNA profiling. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 130 3: 607-613. doi:10.1007/s00414-015-1286-z
Direct-to-PCR tissue preservation for DNA profiling
Sorensen, Amy, Berry, Clare, Bruce, David, Gahan, Michelle Elizabeth, Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and McNevin, Dennis (2016) Direct-to-PCR tissue preservation for DNA profiling. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 130 3: 607-613. doi:10.1007/s00414-015-1286-z
Evaluation of a 13-loci STR multiplex system for Cannabis sativa genetic identification
Houston, Rachel, Birck, Matthew, Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and Gangitano, David (2016) Evaluation of a 13-loci STR multiplex system for Cannabis sativa genetic identification. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 130 3: 635-647. doi:10.1007/s00414-015-1296-x
Hughes-Stamm, Sheree, Warnke, Frauke and van Daal, Angela (2016) An alternate method for extracting DNA from environmentally challenged teeth for improved DNA analysis. Legal Medicine, 18 31-36. doi:10.1016/j.legalmed.2015.11.008
Identification and persistence of Pinus pollen DNA on cotton fabrics: a forensic application
Schield, Cassandra, Campelli, Cassandra, Sycalik, Jennifer, Randle, Christopher, Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and Gangitano, David (2016) Identification and persistence of Pinus pollen DNA on cotton fabrics: a forensic application. Science & Justice, 56 1: 29-34. doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2015.11.005
White, James, Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and Gangitano, David (2015) Development and validation of a rapid PCR method for the PowerPlex® 16 HS system for forensic DNA identification. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 129 4: 715-723. doi:10.1007/s00414-014-1102-1
Bahlmann, Sarah, Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and Gangitano, David (2014) Development and evaluation of a rapid PCR method for the PowerPlex (R) S5 system for forensic DNA profiling. Legal Medicine, 16 4: 227-233. doi:10.1016/j.legalmed.2014.04.003
Genetic study of three closely linked X chromosome STR markers in an Argentinian population
Noseda, Pablo, Hernandez, Michael, Gonzalez, Brittney, Hughes-Stamm, Sheree and Gangitano, David (2013) Genetic study of three closely linked X chromosome STR markers in an Argentinian population. Journal of Forensic Investigation, 01 02: . doi:10.13188/2330-0396.1000006
Assessment of DNA degradation and the genotyping success of highly degraded samples
Hughes-Stamm, Sheree R., Ashton, Kevin J. and van Daal, Angela (2011) Assessment of DNA degradation and the genotyping success of highly degraded samples. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 125 3: 341-348. doi:10.1007/s00414-010-0455-3
Jones, Malcolm K., Hughes‐Stamm, Sheree R., East, Renae M. and Cribb, Thomas H. (2000) Ultrastructure of the digestive tract of Gyliauchen nahaensis (Platyhelminthes, Digenea), an inhabitant of the hindgut of herbivorous fishes. Journal of Morphology, 246 3: 198-211. doi:10.1002/1097-4687(200012)246:3<198::aid-jmor4>3.3.co;2-u
Jones, Malcolm K., Hughes-Stamm, Sheree R., East, Renae M. and Cribb, Thomas H. (2000) Ultrastructure of the digestive tract of Gyliauchen nahaensis (Platyhelminthes, Digenea), an inhabitant of the hindgut of herbivorous fishes. Journal of Morphology, 246 3: 198-211. doi:10.1002/1097-4687(200012)246:3<198::AID-JMOR4>3.0.CO;2-2
Hughes-Stamm, Sheree R., Cribb, Thomas H. and Jones, Malcolm K. (1999) Structure of the tegument and ectocommensal microorganisms of Gyliauchen nahaensis (digenea: gyliauchenidae), an inhabitant of herbivorous fish of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The Journal of Parasitology, 85 6: 1047-1052. doi:10.2307/3285667
Characterisation of a family of Schistosoma japonicum proteins related to dynein light chains
Yang, W., Jones, M. K., Hughes-Stamm, S. R., Fan, J. J. and McManus, D. P. (1999) Characterisation of a family of Schistosoma japonicum proteins related to dynein light chains. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1432 1: 13-26. doi:10.1016/S0167-4838(99)00089-8
Hughes-Stamm, S. R., Cribb, T. H. and Jones, M. K. (1999) Structure of the tegument and ectocommensal microorganisms of Gyliauchen nahaensis (Digenea : Gyliauchenidae), an inhabitant of herbivorous fish of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Journal of Parasitology, 85 6: 1047-1052. doi:10.2307/3285667
Jones, M. K., Hughes-Stamm, S. R. and Cribb, T. H. (2000). Morphology of the digestive system of the Digenean Trematode Gyliauchen nahaensis - An endocommensal flatworm with a herbivorous diet?. In: Proceedings of the 7th Asia-Pacific Conference on Electron Microscopy. 7th Asia-Pacific Conference on Electron Microscopy, Singapore, (). June 2000.
Jones, M. K., Hughes-Stamm, S. R. and Cribb, T. H. (2000). Morphology of the digestive system of the digenean trematode Gyliauchen nahaensis - An endocommensal flatworm with a herbivorous diet. In: Proceedings of the New Zealand Society for Parasitology/ Australian Society for Parasitology Meeting. New Zealand Society for Parasitology/ Australian Society for Parasitology, Wellington, New Zealand, (). June 2000.
Glucose is essential for GLUT3 expression and blastocyst formation in the mouse
Pantaleon, M., Hughes-Stamm, S. R. and Kaye, P. L. (1999). Glucose is essential for GLUT3 expression and blastocyst formation in the mouse. In: Combined Conference Abstracts for the 43rd Annual Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 18th Annual Australian and New Zealand Society for Cell & Developmental Biology and 39th Annual Australian Society of Plant Physiologists. ComBio 99, Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast, Qld, Aust., (). 27 - 30 Sep, 1999.