Dr. Harvey J.M. Hou has completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Peking University and postdoctoral studies at the Rockefeller University. Currently, he is a Professor of Forensic Science at Alabama State University. He has published 91 papers in books and peer-reviewed journals including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Biochemistry. He is also the Editor of Teaching Bioanalytical Chemistry (ACS Symposium book), the Editor of Current Challenges in Photosynthesis: From Natural to Artificial (Frontiers Publishers), the Executive Editor of NanoPhotoBioScience, and the Editor-in-Chief of Air Water Borne Diseases. He also served on the editorial boards of Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiololgy B: Biology, Journal of Forensic Research, and Journal of Forensic Toxicology & Pharmacology. He has organized or co-organized 21 conferences/symposia since 2004.

Dr. Harvey J.M. Hou is passionate about forensic science and photosynthesis. He strives to acquire the fundamental knowledge of forensic evidences using nanotechnology and bioanalytical techniques, and to develop specific applications in forensic medicine to support forensic community. He also strives to elucidate the structure and function of membrane proteins including the photosynthetic reaction centers and G protein-coupled receptors, and to create new technologies in solar fuel production and drug discovery. In particular, he is interested in forensic drug analysis, DNA profiling, firearm/explosive analysis, and microbial forensics.