The Analytical Zen Podcast

About The Analytical Zen Podcast

Biography and Research: See Orcid.org/0000-0001-8344-6582 (presenting 100+ academic works) Dr. Geraldine M. Dowling PFHEA, SFHEA has over 20 years of experience in forensic lab work, forensic/clinical and analytical toxicology, food safety and drug residue testing, method validation and ISO 17025 laboratory accreditation. She also has more than 10 years in academia as a university educator. She was past elected member of Academic Council at Atlantic Technological University and member of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Working Group. Her research spans forensic and clinical toxicology, with a focus on forensic science, medicine, clinical practice, metabolomics, lipidomics, drug testing, drug harm reduction, laboratory accreditation and additionally teaching education pedagogies (universal design for learning and community based learning). Dr. Dowling is an internationally recognized researcher and gives international lectures. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), awarded for her excellence in teaching, research and leadership. She is the creator and host of The Analytical Zen Podcast, designed to make complex scientific concepts accessible to students and the public (available on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts). She serves as Vice Chair of the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (professional body), representing forensic practitioners across England, Ireland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Channel Islands. She is also the elected regional representative for Ireland with the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, a member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (USA) and an elected member of the London Toxicology Group Committee. Dr. Dowling has trained professional staff and students in ISO 17025-accredited national government laboratories in Ireland and abroad, including The State Laboratory, Teagasc and the Marine Institute. She is a Principal Investigator, supervising postgraduate students (PhD/MSc). Dr. Dowling was an invited contributor to the Irish Government's "Emerging Drug Trends and Drug Checking Working Group", which aims to introduce safer harm-reduction strategies. She is a contributing author, reviewer and editor for international journals, including Drug Testing and Analysis, Journal of Analytical Toxicology and Forensic Science Review. She has written, edited and co-authored four books. Dr. Dowling is the current Editor-in-Chief of the IACFT Journal [ISSN 3088-6600] and Outgoing Editor-in-Chief (2026) of the Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal [ISSN 2990-8167]. She is a Visiting Professor of Toxicology and Forensic Science at Kingston University, holds a Visiting Senior Lecturer appointment (2024) at King’s College London, UK and holds a Honorary Senior Lecturer appointment (2023) at Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK. She previously held an Adjunct Assistant Professor appointment (2020) at Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Dowling’s work has had a lasting impact, with Ireland’s Marine Institute applying her methods in aquaculture monitoring since 2006 and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adopting her research for drug monitoring since 2011. Her work as Principal Investigator, along with that of the students she supervises, has resulted in multiple validated methods being accredited on several occasions by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) and used nationally. In addition, selected work she developed has been used in international proficiency testing schemes.

Publisher

Geraldine M. Dowling

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Jun 2024

Latest episode

20 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Apr 2026

   How Spiking Happens and How to Stay Safe

   Send us Fan Mail On this episode of the Analytical Zen Podcast, we explore a critical and increasingly urgent issue of spiking. While far from new, incidents are rising and the response must evolve just as quickly. We’re joined by Dawn Dines, Founder and CEO of Stamp Out Spiking, a leading voice in the fight against this growing threat. With over two decades of frontline advocacy, Dawn brings a powerful blend of lived experience, policy influence and tireless campaigning. From contributing to...

2. 

   29 Nov 2025

   Inside Synthetic Cathinones

   Dr. Simona Pichini, an Italian pharmacotoxicologist, explores the complex world of synthetic cathinones and their effects as new psychoactive substances in this interview episode.

3. 

   31 Oct 2025

   The Chemsex Conversation: Sex, Society and New Psychoactive Substances

   Dr. Luis Manuel Menéndez Quintanal examines the connections among sexual health, substance use, and forensic toxicology, providing scientific insights and harm reduction perspectives in this interview.

4. 

   2 Sept 2025

   Bones Tell Stories: The Reach of Forensic Anthropology

   Host [Host Name] interviews Dr. Tania Delabarde, a forensic anthropologist, as she reveals how skeletal remains unlock crucial narratives in disaster victim identification.

5. 

   5 Aug 2025

   Cat and Mouse: How Toxicologists Chase Ever-Evolving Designer Drugs

   Dr. Kayla Ellefsen, Deputy Chief Toxicologist, explores the science of forensic toxicology and its crucial function in death investigations, clarifying the meticulous procedures used to identify substances in postmortem samples in this interview.

6. 

   19 May 2025

   The Zinc Connection: The Pancreas, Diabetes and Beyond

   Send us a text In this episode, we explore the connection between zinc and diabetes, focusing on functions of zinc in the pancreas and for blood glucose control. Using animal models of obesity and prediabetes, researchers investigated how mild zinc deficiency—similar to levels potentially seen in humans—affects the pancreas and regulation of blood glucose. The study found that a 30% reduction in pancreatic zinc led to enlarged pancreatic islets and poorer blood glucose control, especially dur...

7. 

   24 Mar 2025

   From Energy Drinks to Drugs: Uncovering Stimulants

   Send us a text In this episode, forensic toxicologist Dr. Karolina Nowak takes us into the world of forensic toxicology, from the energy drinks we consume daily to the dangerous synthetic drugs on the streets. Dr. Nowak discusses the growing issues surrounding stimulant use, including the rise of synthetic drugs and the overlooked dangers of legal substances like caffeine. With a unique perspective from her experience in Poland, she sheds light on how forensic toxicologists protec...

8. 

   31 Jan 2025

   Demystifying Forensic Medicine: Tales from the Morgue

   Send us a text Join us on the Analytical Zen Podcast for an interview with Professor Christopher Milroy, a forensic pathologist and professor based in Ottawa, Canada. Professor Milroy earned his medical degree from the University of Liverpool and trained in pathology in Liverpool, Bristol and London before specializing in forensic pathology in Sheffield. From 1990 to 2008, he worked as a forensic pathologist and professor of forensic pathology in Sheffield, before moving to Ottawa in 20...

9. 

   22 Dec 2024

   Paper-Based Electrochemical Biosensors for a Smarter World: From Health to the Environment

   Send us a text What if you could transform the way we gather and interpret critical data in resource-limited settings? Join us on the Analytical Zen podcast as we chat with Professor Stefano Cinti, a trailblazer in the realm of sensors and biosensors. Stefano's journey from hesitant beginnings to becoming a passionate advocate for analytical chemistry is nothing short of inspiring. In this enlightening episode, we delve into the symbiotic relationship between traditional analytical methods an...

10. 

    6 Dec 2024

    Using Smart Devices in Your Kitchen: Are Phones and Tablets a Recipe for Contamination?

    Send us a text Can smartphones contribute to food safety risks in home kitchens? Join Dr. Mairead McCann from SafeFood as she examines the role of smart devices in household food safety. Drawing on research conducted by Queen's University Belfast and commissioned by SafeFood, Dr. McCann provides evidence-based insights into how technology, integral to modern cooking routines, may introduce foodborne hazards. This study investigates the potential for smartphones and similar devices to act as v...

11. 

    19 Oct 2024

    Forensic Toxicology Preventing Mishaps: How Drug Testing Became a Workplace Essential

    Send us a text Unlock the secrets of forensic toxicology and workplace drug testing. From naval mishaps to train collisions, discover the pivotal incidents that have shaped workplace drug testing policies and why they matter. Join us as we chat with Steve Korkoneas as he sheds light on the widespread practice of workplace drug testing. Whether you're in a safety-critical role or curious about the future of drug testing then this episode promises a wealth of knowledge. So, grab a notepa...

12. 

    29 Aug 2024

    From Lab Coats to Leading Labs: How a Work Placement Ignited Global Impact

    Send us a text What if a simple work placement could transform your entire career? Join us on the Analytical Zen Podcast as we sit down with Dr. Simon Elliott, a forensic toxicologist with over 30 years of experience. Simon shares memorable cases and pivotal experiences, including his work with the designer drug 4-Methylthioamphetamine (4-MTA) in his career, which sparked international collaborations and made significant contributions to global public health and safety. 4-MTA is a synthetic d...

13. 

    12 Aug 2024

    From Pharmacy to Forensics

    Send us a text In this episode, we discuss the critical importance of detecting Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Delta-9 THC and Delta-10 THC along with the challenges associated with analysing heart blood in forensic toxicology. We delve into Professor Ashraf Mozayani’s remarkable journey through the dynamic field of forensic toxicology, focusing on the impact of cannabis legalization and the challenges of postmortem forensic toxicology. Starting as a community pharmacist in Tehran, Profe...

14. 

    26 Jul 2024

    Drugs and Deep Thoughts: A Philosophical Look Beyond the Lab Results

    Send us a text Imagine a young driver under the influence of multiple substances—what societal factors contribute to such dangerous behavior? In this episode, we explore the case of a young driver found with cocaine, diazepam, and fluoxetine in their system. We delve into trends among young drivers in Switzerland, draw parallels with other regions like Ireland, and examine broader societal issues, such as a lack of faith and purpose, that contribute to rising drug use. Our discussion expands ...

15. 

    10 Jul 2024

    Intimate Contamination: The Kissing Defense and The Sex Defense in Sports Doping

    Send us a text What if an athlete could test positive for a banned substance through no fault of their own? As Wimbledon and the UEFA European Championships grace our TV screens currently, and with the 2024 Olympic Games set to begin in Paris, France at the end of July, The Analytical Zen Podcast turns its focus to the role of forensic toxicology in sports doping. Join us as we delve into the fascinating and complex world of hair testing, discussing "the kissing defense," the "sex defense," a...

16. 

    28 Jun 2024

    Career Spotlight on Professor Hans H. Maurer

    Send us a text Episode 1 features a career spotlight on esteemed toxicologist Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. (UGent) Hans H. Maurer. He is an Emeritus Professor and the former Head of the Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology at the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany. This renowned toxicology group in Saarland developed some of the most esteemed spectral databases for identification, which are globally recognized and reli...

Who has been a guest on The Analytical Zen Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Simona Pichini
• Dr Luis Manuel Menéndez Quintanal
• Dr Tania Delabarde
• Dr Kayla Ellefsen

Podcast Authority Score: 10 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

21

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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