In May, Lauryn Christian Alexander became the first Black woman to graduate from WVU with a PhD in forensic science.

Alexander began her time at WVU in 2019.

“I’ve always wanted my PhD in forensics, but growing up, I never saw Black women who had their PhDs in forensics. I think more and more women in general are getting them, but it’s nice to kind of know that there’s other girls out there who are potentially looking up to me,” Alexander said.

Alexander has had an extensive collegiate career aside from her doctoral degree.

She was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 in California and grew up in North Carolina. She completed her bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a concentration in forensics at Hampton University.

According to Alexander, her decision to come to WVU for her PhD was based on the rigor of the program and the atmosphere of the campus.

“WVU was the number one program and it was very competitive. As soon as I came here for my interview, and I saw the campus, I knew I really wanted to be here,” Alexander said.

She said the journey of earning her doctorate has not been easy and specifically noted health-related obstacles she has overcome.

“I did have thyroid cancer and I went into remission last October, which has been like an ongoing health problem, but it wasn’t diagnosed until two years ago,” Alexander said. “My overall mental health as well, it wavered, so there were really good days and really bad ones. I was just trying not to second guess myself which was adding to the stress of being a doctoral student.”

Despite this, Alexander has continued the pursuit of her career goals.

Following her graduation in May, Alexander began her first year of law school at WVU.

“Ultimately, I’d like to have my own forensic consulting firm, but before that, I do think I want to work with the Public Defender’s Office and have that experience,” she said. “I am very passionate about defending people or having a voice for people who are not being heard correctly or fairly.”

Alexander’s decision to work in forensics and the defense field comes from a long history of interest in the area, dating back to her high school days.

She said that while in college, she began exploring the legal system.

“I don’t want to be a politician per se, but I do want to change some laws if I’m being in the limelight, and my first introduction to that was that senior exit project. Then, in college, I had a couple criminology classes where we stepped away from science and focused on the legislative side of things, which I thought was interesting,” Alexander said.

Over the last five to 10 years, Alexander has had the opportunity to speak with like-minded individuals about their opinion on the state of the country and different races, 𝓈ℯ𝓍ualities and identities.

She said she plans on completing her law degree in 2026 before preparing for the bar exam.

“I think that people should have the right to just be themselves. We shouldn’t have to enforce laws for people who want to marry the same 𝓈ℯ𝓍 or make laws to allow Black women to wear their natural hair, things like that have really got my attention,” Alexander says. “Ultimately, I want to be able to make a difference in how people are able to move throughout their lives.”