Dr. Marcella Farinelli Fierro (born 1941) is a Medical examiner and forensic pathologist. She was the former chief medical examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia and was appointed this position in 1994 and retired in 2008. Despite the male-dominated nature of forensics pathology, Dr. Fierro proved a female could equally excel in this heavy weighted science dealing with death and morbid matters, becoming the ninth woman certified in forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology. Dr. Fierro now serves as an educator, mentor, and adviser and conducts weekly courses in subject matters such “as advanced death investigation to medical examiners crime scene investigators, judges, law enforcement investigators, prosecutors, forensics science.” She also is a member of a committee that conducted the National Academy of Sciences study that seeks to address issues within the field of forensics pathology and initiate change. When asked why she joined this National Academy of Science study in an interview on June 22, 2010 Dr. Fierro commented, “ You have the battle scars of having done something and made mistakes and discovered new ways and made progress.” A passionate scholar, researcher, educator, and advocate, Fierro remains dedicated to her field of study by not only striving to push advancements in the present, but to provide for the future, ensuring her legacy. As one of the most accomplished forensics scientists in the world, Fierro is aware that her service has a lasting impact, commenting, “I think when you have a lot of experience and when you do something for a long time, you have something to give back.” Empathy and the desire to help has been at the root of Fierro’s drive and commitment to becoming one of the most prestigious forensics pathologists; when questioned why she was inspired to devote herself to forensic science Fierro replied, as any other doctor would, “I wanted to help sick people feel better.”