Our History

 After a successful tenure as Chief Toxicologist for Philadelphia, Dr. Fredric Rieders founded National Medical Services (now NMS Labs) in 1970 in Willow Grove, PA. Once the laboratory became a leading international center for forensic and clinical toxicology, he established the Fredric Rieders Family Foundation in 1994 to support scientific research, education, and charitable initiatives. Initially staffed by a small team, the Foundation supported both science and the arts, including exhibitions at the James A. Michener Art Museum, and later expanded its facilities into a fully equipped center with classrooms, laboratories, and advanced instrumentation. It also welcomed outside researchers pursuing topics such as pharmacognosy and biochemical stability.

Committed to science education, Dr. Rieders partnered with Dr. G. John DiGregorio in 1997 to shape the Foundation’s teaching mission. Together they created the Forensic Sciences Mentoring Institute (FMI), a hands-on summer research program launched in 1999 that pairs high school students with experienced mentors to conduct original laboratory research. Students develop technical, teamwork, and public speaking skills, culminating in presentations of their work, with many projects later showcased at major scientific conferences. The program was later renamed the G. John DiGregorio Summer Science Program in 2009, reflecting his lasting contributions.

The Foundation further expanded its educational impact by helping establish Arcadia University’s accredited Master of Science in Forensic Science program in 2004. Leadership transitioned in 2010 to Dr. Barry Logan, who founded the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education to advance professional training and research. Through partnerships with Temple University and Thomas Jefferson University, new graduate programs in forensic chemistry and toxicology were launched in 2015. Supported by major grants and focused on emerging drug research, the Foundation continues to fulfill Dr. Rieders’ mission of advancing forensic science education and innovation at all levels.