Ana Pego
Bio for Ana Pego
Ana Pego is a Professor of Forensic and Analytical Toxicology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice – City University of New York (CUNY) in New York City. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Investigation (Glasgow Caledonian University), a master’s degree in Forensic Toxicology (University of Glasgow), and a Ph.D. in Toxicology (University of São Paulo). She was a Visiting Scholar at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA in Los Angeles and completed postdoctoral research at both Avans University of Applied Sciences and Maastricht University, in the Netherlands. Her research focuses on hair toxicological analysis, novel psychoactive substances, and postmortem toxicology, with a strong interest in social toxicology, public policy and harm reduction. She is a member of several international professional associations, including SOFT, AAFS, ESC, and ISSDP, and serves on the Young Scientists Committee of TIAFT. She has presented her research at 25 professional conferences and has been invited to deliver 47 international lectures. In 2025, she received the Distinguished Teaching Prize at John Jay College.
Talk Abstract for Ana Pego and Marta Concheiro-Guisan
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has become the most widely used analytical tool in forensic toxicology for its exceptional sensitivity, specificity, and versatility. To ensure the reliability and defensibility of analytical results in the courtroom, forensic toxicology stakeholders have developed standards and recommendations that address multiple aspects of the analytical process, from method development and validation to data interpretation. In this presentation, we will discuss current standards and best-practice recommendations relevant to LC-MS/MS method development, validation, and mass spectrometric interpretation from a forensic perspective. We will also highlight the role of LC-MS/MS in forensic toxicology research and discuss how these approaches translate into routine forensic casework, emphasizing practical challenges and real-world applications.