08/10/2026
🚨 Turning research into real-world impact.
This summer, students in St. John’s University’s Investigative Research and Innovative Scholars (IRIS) Program presented original research to leadership and personnel from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), exploring how illicit drugs—including fentanyl—are marketed through social media.
Working alongside faculty mentor Dr. David Byrne, the students analyzed hundreds of publicly available social media posts, identified investigative indicators, and developed recommendations to support intelligence analysis and law enforcement investigations.
The presentation sparked meaningful discussions with DEA professionals, leading to an invitation for the team to present an expanded briefing to DEA leadership and opening the door for future collaboration.
At St. John’s learning extends far beyond the classroom. Through opportunities like IRIS, students gain hands-on experience tackling real-world public safety challenges while preparing for impactful careers in criminal justice, intelligence, homeland security, and forensic science.
👏 Congratulations to our students and faculty on this outstanding achievement!