Gina M. Londino-Smolar

Gina M. Londino-Smolar

Director, Forensic & Investigative Sciences (FIS) Program

Teaching Professor, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Forensic & Investigative Sciences Program

Director of Programs and Services, FACET, Indiana University

Office:
EL 132
Phone:
(317) 274-6820
Email:
glondino@iu.edu

Education

  • B.S., Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie, IN (2004)
  • M.S., Analytical Chemistry, Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN (2006), Thesis Advisor: Jay A. Siegel, Analysis of pigmented inks using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry.  
  • Ed.D., Curriculum and Instruction in Science Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (2024), Advisor: Valarie Akerson, Examination of Social Belonging and Connectedness in an Online Science Course: An Action Research Study

Publications & Professional Activity

Publications:

  • Londino-Smolar, G. (2022). Effectiveness of Teaching Key Concepts of the Nature of Science in an Online Introductory Forensic Science Course: An Action Research Study. In Akerson, V.L. & Carter, I.S. (Eds.), Teaching Nature of Science Across Contexts and Grade Levels: Explorations through Action Research and Self Study (pp. 131- 166). ISTES Organization.
    https://www.istes.org/effectiveness-of-teaching-key-concepts-of-the-nature-of-science-in-an-online-introductory-forensic-science-course-an-action-research-study-362-s.html 
  • Mirakovits, K., Londino-Smolar, G. (2021). The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science a laboratory manual. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
  • Londino-Smolar, G. and C. Hansel (2021). Let’s Solve It: Designing an Interactive Online Forensic Science Lab. J Higher Education Theory and Practice, 21(2). https://articlegateway.com/index.php/JHETP/article/view/4121
  • Badillo, J., Londino-Smolar G., Savvides, P. (Ed), 7 Things you should know about virtual labs. EDUCAUSE ELI; August 14, 2020. https://library.educause.edu/resources/2020/8/7-things-you-should-know-about-virtual-labs
  • Londino-Smolar, G. (2020). Remotely teaching a large enrollment introduction to forensic science course. Journal of For Sci Ed, 2(2). https://jfse-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/jfse/index.php/jfse
  • Londino-Smolar, G. (2019). Do students understand academic integrity? SmartBrief; January 22, 2019. https://www.smartbrief.com/original/2019/01/do-students-understand-academic-integrity
  • Lowe, M.S., Londino-Smolar, G., Wendeln, K.E.A., Struek, D. (2018). Promoting academic integrity through a stand-alone course in the learning management system. International Journal for Educational Integrity, 14(13). https://edintegrity.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1007/s40979-018-0035-8
  • Mirakovits, K., Londino-Smolar, G. (2016). The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science a laboratory manual. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
  • Londino, G. and Mehling, S. (2015) Forensic Comparison of Trace Materials: Applying a Color Standard for Image Consistency and Reliability. Datacolor – ChromaCal.
  • Mauser, K., Sours, J., Banks, J., Newbrough, R., Janke, T., Shuck, L., Zhu, L., Ammerman, G., and Varma-Nelson, P. (2011) “Cyber Peer-Led Team Learning (cPLTL): Development and Implementation.” Educase Quarterly, 34.
  • Eckstein, J. A., Ammerman, G., Reveles, J., and Ackermann, B. (2008) “Analysis of Glutamine, Glutamate, Pyroglutamate, and GABA in Cerebrospinal Fluid using Ion Pairing HLPC with Positive Electrospray LC/MS/MS.” J of Neuroscience Methods 171 190-196.
  • Eckstein, J. A., Ammerman, G., Reveles, J., and Ackermann, B. (2008) “Simultaneous Profiling of Multiple Neurochemical Pathways from a Single Cerebrospinal Fluid Sample using GC/MS/MS with Electron Capture Detection.” J of Mass Spectrometry 43 782-790.
  • Method, P., Siegel, J., and G. (2006). Comparison of blood and duplicate breath testing for ethanol in Indiana. J of Alcohol Testing Alliance, 15:1, p 17-21.
  • Londino, G. and Waung, C. (2004) How to ask sensitive questions using statistics: a case study on academic dishonesty. Ball State University Undergraduate Math Exchange, 2:1, pp 18-21. 

Professional Activities:

  • Londino-Smolar, G. (2025, February 18). Crafting the future: Mastering AI prompt generation for enhanced forensic education. Paper presented at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) 2025 Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
  • Hansel, C., Quick, J., Petrina, R., & Londino-Smolar, G. (2025, April 4). Scaling innovation with Top Hat. Paper presented at the Platter-Moore Symposium, IU Indianapolis.
  • Londino-Smolar, G. (2025, February 20). Examining social belonging and connectedness in an online forensic science course. Paper presented at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
  • Londino-Smolar, G. (2025, February 6). Inclusive by design equity-minded teaching with Top Hat. Paper presented at the Engage Top Hat Conference.
  • Cohen, B., Hansel, C., & Londino-Smolar, G. (2025, February 5). Scaling innovation with Top Hat. Paper presented at the Engage Top Hat Conference.
  • “MythBusters: Uncovering the truth about online science courses” Londino-Smolar, G. and Hansel, C. OLC Innovate Conference; Nashville, TN; April 19, 2023.
  • “Boosting your Publications using Social Media” Londino-Smolar, G. American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Orlando, FL, February 13, 2023.
  • “Calling All Learners: Overcoming barriers with an inclusive online laboratory course design” Londino-Smolar, G., and Hansel, C. OLC Accelerate Conference; Orlando, FL; November 17, 2022.
  • Hansel, M. Ricci, and G. Londino-Smolar. “Making an Online Laboratory Course Accessible for All Learners” Accessing High Ground; Denver, Colorado, November 2021. (unable to attend)
  • Londino-Smolar, C. Hansel, and M. Ricci. “Making an Online Laboratory Course Accessible for All Learners” IU Online Conference; Virtual, October 28, 2021.
  • Londino-Smolar. “Let’s Solve It: Designing an Interactive and Engaging Online Forensic Science Laboratory Course.” IU Online Conference; 30 October 2020.
  • Londino-Smolar and C. Hansel. “Let’s Solve It: Designing an Interactive and Engaging Online Forensic Science Laboratory Course.” Educase; 29 October 2020.
  • Londino-Smolar. “Let’s Solve It: Designing an Interactive and Engaging Online Forensic Science Laboratory Course.” FALCON; 24 October 2020.
  • G. Londino-Smolar. “High-Impact Practices in Forensic Science Education workshop.” American Academy of Forensic Sciences, AAFS 2020 Meeting, Anaheim, CA. 17 February 2020.
  • G. Londino-Smolar. “Let’s Solve It: Designing an Interactive and Engaging Online Forensic Science Laboratory Course.” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Conference, Anaheim, CA; 21 February 2020.
  • G. Londino. “Engaging Students in Large Lecture Classrooms” Innovative Teaching with Active Learning Methods – Implementation in forensic science education. American Academy of Forensic Sciences, AAFS 2018 Meeting, Seattle, WA. 19 February 2018.
  • G. Londino, K. Wendeln, K. Thedwall. “Creating a Culture of Change for Academic Integrity at an Urban US University”. Asia Pacific Conference on Educational Integrity, University of Sydney, Australia. 6 November 2017.
  • G. Londino and J. Siegel. “Forensic Microscopy: How to use a microscope in forensic science” Bicentennial Conference in Chemical Education, Penn State University, State College, PA. 30 July 2012.

Awards

Awards and Honors:

  • Indiana University President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Technology (2025)
  • School of Science Full-time Lecturer Service Award (2021)
  • Faculty Academy on Excellence in Teaching (FACET) member since 2019
  • School of Science Trustees’ Teaching Award (2018)
  • American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners Travel Award (2014)
  • IUPUI Outstanding Educator Award (2011)
  • School of Science Trustee’s Teaching Award (2011)
  • Trace Evidence Symposium Travel Award (2011)
  • IUPUI Favorite Professor (2009, 2010, 2013, 2023, 2024, 2025)

Awarded Grants:

  • Mosaic Senior Fellowship Grant ($5000), “Examination of Learning Technologies in Large Enrollment Courses to Improve Community Belonging”, 2023
  • School of Science Technology Funds ($19870), "Acquisition of Digital Cameras for Student Microscopes.", 2019
  • Center for Teaching and Learning Curriculum Enhancement Grant, ($5000), "Investigating Forensic Science Laboratory — Creating an Online Section.", 2019
  • School of Science Technology Funds ($14490), “Acquisition of Hot Stage System for Thermal Microscopic Analysis”, 2017
  • School of Science Teaching Support ($9374), “Acquisition of 5 Compound Light Microscopes and 2 Stereomicroscopes”, 2015
  • School of Science Teaching Support ($30000), “Acquisition of Fourier Transform Infrared Microscope”, 2015.
  • School of Science Teaching Support ($27114), “Acquisition of 6 Polarizing Light Microscopes”, 2014
  • School of Science Teaching Support ($20833), “Acquisition of Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector for Pyrolysis of Forensic Evidence”, 2011.
  • School of Science Technology Funds ($6000), “Acquisition of UV-Vis Spectrometer”, 2011
  • School of Science Technology Funds ($5000), “Acquisition of Polarizing Light Microscopes”, 2010
  • Center for Teaching and Learning, Jump Start Grant ($5000), “Development of Concepts in Forensic Science 1 into an Online Summer Course”, 2009.
  • School of Science Technology Funds ($10752), “Acquisition of Polarizing Light Microscopes and Stereomicroscopes”, 2008