Rate My Professor Michelle Peace

Michelle R. Peace, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Forensic Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. She holds a Ph.D. in Pathology from Virginia Commonwealth University (2005), a Master of Forensic Science from George Washington University (1996), and a B.A. from Wittenberg University (1991). Her research specializes in emerging toxicology issues affecting public health and safety, including the proliferation of novel cannabinoids, the manipulation of electronic cigarettes to consume drugs other than nicotine, standards development in forensic toxicology, and new designer drug trends. Funded by the National Institute of Justice since 2014 with a total of $2.3 million over five years, her studies have examined the efficacy of electronic cigarettes in substance use and abuse, highlighting risks from vaping non-nicotine substances and the convergence of cannabis and e-cigarette markets. She currently directs a clinical study evaluating vaping's effects on roadside impairment assessments for suspected DUI cases and drug testing. Peace also offers scientific expertise to shape laws, policies, and strategies for consumer protection, highway safety, and substance use treatment.

Among her honors are the Society of Forensic Toxicologists Teaching and Mentoring Award (2021), the Medical College of Virginia Alumni Association Hodges-Kay Service Award (2018), and the International Vision Fellowship from the Institute of Environmental Science Research in New Zealand (2018). Select publications include "Δ8-THC, THC-O Acetates and CBD-di-O Acetate: Emerging Synthetic Cannabinoids Found in Commercially Sold Plant Material and Gummy Edibles" (Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2022), "A Retrospective Analysis of the Chemical Constituents in Regulated and Unregulated E-cigarette Liquids" (Frontiers in Chemistry, 2021), "The Analysis of Tramadol in Matched Infant Oral Fluid, Urine, and Mother’s Breast Milk" (Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2021), and "Evaluation of Rapid Extraction Techniques for Pharmacologically Active Ingredients in Chinese Herbal Anticonvulsant Medicines by Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry" (Analytical Methods, 2021). A Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists and the National Safety Council’s Drugs, Alcohol, and Impaired Driving Division, she teaches courses such as Applications in Forensic Toxicology and Analytical Considerations in Forensic Toxicology.