Meet Anjali Ranadive | Forensic Scientist, Attorney and Group Fitness Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anjali Ranadive and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anjali, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted the freedom of time that comes with being your own boss. I knew it would be a challenge but I am self motivated and organized enough that I knew I would be diligent when needed. I liked the idea of being able to pick and choose projects based on whether they fulfilled me vs accepting work because I needed the income

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I always knew I wanted to be a forensic scientist from the time I was a young girl. I loved science and took every class I could. I majored in Biology in undergrad and then got a Masters in Forensic Science (which, at the time, was not well known). I was fortunate to get an entry level job at a small private forensic lab that only did DNA testing while completing my MFS. I went on to be a forensic DNA analyst at that lab, analyzing DNA samples from criminal cases from all over the US and testifying in support of my work when those cases went to trial. I loved the lab and I loved being in Court, but I couldn’t afford to stay there at the salaries they paid at the time (to make ends meet I got certified and began teaching exercise classes while still in grad school). I left the lab after 8 years and applied to law school. I was recruited by my mentor from the lab who had previously left to go to the USDOJ to come work for her in the newly created forensics division of the National Institute of Justice. I worked there full time, attended law school at night and taught 10 exercise classes/week for 4 years. After completing law school and passing the bar I left the government and founded SciLawForensics, Ltd in December, 2002. For the past almost 20 years I have worked as a consultant on criminal cases involving DNA, taught various forensic and legal courses, create and implemented training curricula for various government, law enforcement and educational institutions and sat on the Board of various forensic organizations that govern various aspect of forensic science practice and education. I still teach group fitness classes and also mentor new instructors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I recently relocated from the midwest to Phoenix last year. Because of COVID I am still learning about all the places to go but if we had a week I would take them to brunch at Hash Kitchen, overnight to Sedona to hike, a few days at the Grand Canyon, a day or two to relax at one of the amazing local spa resorts complete with massages and pooltime, dinner at Taj Mahal in downtown Scottsdale and of course, a few of my fitness classes

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I had several strong female role models who supported me in different stages of my career from my mother, my Aunt Neela (a fellow scientist), my first professional mentor Dr. Lisa Forman and my first legal mentor Carol Henderson (deceased)

Website: www.scilawforensics.net

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