SHORT BIO
Maria G. Burns is the Director of the Technology, Leadership, and Innovation Management Program at the University of Houston. Bachelor of Science, Technology Leadership and Innovation Management - University of Houston (uh.edu)
She is an elected University Senator for Research and Scholarship. Research and Scholarship Committee - University of Houston (uh.edu)
She has served the Maritime industry for several years, in the dual role of operator & emergency responder. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary awarded her a lifetime Honorary Membership.
She is an acclaimed author and scientific researcher. She is the Director of Education for the Borders, Trade, and Immigration Institute, a DHS Center of Excellence at the University of Houston, as part of a $3.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. UH selected as Center of Excellence for borders, trade and immigration research - The Cougar (thedailycougar.com)
She is also a CO-PI for a State Department Grant (2019-2023). In addition, her U.S. Government Grants exceed $1,650,000, in the areas of homeland and transport security, transnational crime, data analysis, policy analysis, etc.
Her doctorate thesis combines Data Analytics, Federal and State policy analysis, and human trafficking.
She is an affiliated researcher of various research consortiums at the University of Houston.
A STEM researcher (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), with the ability to conduct multidisciplinary research in topics of policy analysis, Federal and State laws, transnational crime, human trafficking, data analytics, export control, homeland security, transportation law & security, economics, courts, etc. ( ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5241-1501 ).
Her published work with Routledge/Taylor & Francis includes the books:
“Port Management & Operations” (2014); "Logistics & Transportation Security" (2016); “Managing Energy Security: a Critical Infrastructure guide to resilience (2019), and Maritime Security and Operations (2021). Her books have been adopted by global universities, in the areas of global business, finance, economics, trade & transport, security, risk management, policy, etc.
She has developed numerous research and training manuals (focus on security, global economy, policy, transnational crime, emergency response, risk management, etc.) for the Government (DHS/CBP/USCG), but also the maritime and energy industries.
She has served as a lead course developer of new Academic and Training Programs for the University of Houston, the Texas Southern University, etc.
She is a certified Maritime Auditor for Security (ISPS), Safety (ISM), Quality, and the Environment. Her Doctoral research in Political Science (University of Houston) combines Policy Analysis and Data Analysis. It focuses on Human Trafficking and the activities of Transnational Criminal Organizations.
She holds two Masters degrees, one in Maritime/International Trade and Transport (London Metropolitan University, UK), and one in Political Science (University of Houston).
Multilingual: English, Italian, French, Greek, etc.
Classic Languages: Ancient Greek & Latin
Other interests: Criminology & Forensic Studies, Law & Policy, Criminal Justice, Courts, Military, War History, etc.
Links:
(99+) Maria G. Burns | LinkedIn
Research -Participatory Operational Assessment - University of Houston (uh.edu)
btiNewsletter-2017-fall.pdf (uh.edu)
My Research Projects
Research Portfolio
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) $280,000
Burns, M. (2016) 'Evaluating and predicting the operational effectiveness of cargo security at ports of entry'. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, BTI Center of Excellence: 2016-2018 $280,000.00.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) $240,853.40
Burns, M. (2018) 'Border Management / Cross Border Trade Course Curriculum Development' U.S. Department of Homeland Security, BTI Center of Excellence: 2018-2020 $240,853.40.
U.S. Department of State CO-PI, $800,000
Security & Strategic Trade Management Academy (SSTMA).
(PI) Bronk C., CO-PIs Burns M., and Clement K.
Media & Interviews
Selected work
ACADEMIC INTERVIEWS, CONFERENCES & ARTICLES (selected)
Effectiveness of Cargo Security Processes - YouTube
Webinar Business Resumption in a Global Pandemic Environment - YouTube
Charting a Successful Maritime Career by Scott Birtle and Maria G. Burns - YouTube
Release | UH to Lead National Center for Borders, Trade, and Immigration
October 13, 2015 — Seeking to strengthen national security, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has named the University of Houston to lead a Center of Excellence focused on borders, trade, and immigration research.
INTERVIEWS & ARTICLES (selected)
Maritime Insight (2018) Maritime Book ranked #2 among the 'Top 8 Maritime & Port Management Books'
In The News | BTI Researcher Comments on the Port of Houston Marketplace (Aug 26, 2016) — BTI Researcher Maria Burns Comments on the Expanded Infrastructure at the Port of Houston
2019 Ports of the Future: Why Security is the Measure of Port Intelligence
2019 Containerized cargo security at the U.S. – Mexico border: how supply chain vulnerabilities impact processing times at land ports of entry
2019 Participatory Operational & Security Assessment on Homeland Security Risks: An Empirical Research Method for Improving Security Beyond The Borders Through Public/Private Partnerships
2018 Cargo Theft and Logistics Security
2018 National Academies: The paradox of Energy Security
2016 Logistics and Transportation Security: A Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Guide to Resilience. Technical Presentation, TRB of the National Academies, Washington D.C., January 2016.
2014 A Texas Tale of Logistics and Transport in the Land “Where 17 Railroads Meet the Sea”, 100 Years on the Houston Ship Channel
2014 Assessing the Environmental Vulnerability Risks at major seaports: a comparative analysis between the major Ports of the US Gulf
2014 Economic and Environmental Impact Assessment of the Ballast Water Treatment Management Regulations
2014 DHS: Supply Chain Security: A Strategy to Resilience through Policies, Partnerships, and Technologies. DHS Supply Chain Security Workshop
2014 National Academies: Security in Intermodal and Marine Transportation: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis
2014 Estimating the impact of maritime security: financial tradeoffs between security and efficiency
Burns, M. (2014a) Assessing the Vulnerability Risks at major seaports: a comparative analysis between the major Ports of the US Gulf, Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers (Conference Proceedings).
Burns M. and Merryman, S. (2014b) Economic and Environmental Impact Assessment of the Ballast Water Treatment Management Regulations, International Association of Maritime Economists, Annual Conference, Norfolk VA, June 2014. Maritime Economics and Logistics, IAME Conference.
Burns M. (2014c) Ensuring Optimum Resilience in Marine Transportation: Extended Applications of the Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model and the Dynamic Risk Management Model. Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington DC (Conference Proceedings).
Burns M. (2014d) Supply Chain Security: A Strategy to Resilience through Policies, Partnerships, and Technologies. DHS Workshop for Supply Chain Security. Houston – April 23, 2014
Burns M., (2014e) Security in Intermodal and Marine Transportation: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis, TRB of the National Academies, Washington D.C., January 2014.
Burns M. (2013a) The economic impact of Supply Chain Security : Financial tradeoffs between Supply Chain Security and Efficiency, Journal of Transportation Security; DOI:10.1007/s12198-013-0119-x, 2013a.
Burns M., (2013b) Supply Chain Security : Financial tradeoffs between Supply Chain Security and Efficiency, National Academies, Washington DC (Conference Proceedings), Washington DC, January 2013.
Burns M., (2013c) Effectiveness Evaluation of the Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model and the Dynamic Risk Management Model. National Academies, Washington DC, (Conference Proceedings), January 2013.
Burns M., (2013d) Economic Growth and Environmental Vulnerability: Assessing the Offshore Drilling and Seaports Activities in the US Gulf”, Deep Offshore Technology (DOT) International Conference, Houston-Texas, October 2013.
Burns, M. (2013e) Maritime Economic & Transportation Outlook: A New Era Ahead. Breakbulk Americas” – Executive Presentation, New Orleans, September 2013.
2013 National Academies: MSRAM. Effectiveness Evaluation of the Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model and the Dynamic Risk Management Model
2013 Strategic Environmental Assessment in the Offshore Industry: An Econometric and Empirical Study
2013 National Academies: Ensuring Optimum Resilience in Marine Transportation: Extended Applications of the Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model & the Dynamic Risk Management Model
2013 Literary anthroponymy: decοding the characters of Homer’s Odyssey
2008 Cerebral evolution: The making of a genius and the theory of intellectual motivators