Maria G. Burns Author of Evaluating Organization Development
FEATURED AUTHOR

Maria G. Burns

Director, Professor, Lead Researcher
University of Houston

Prof. Maria Burns is a National Academies scholar, a US Coast Guard Aux. (Maritime) Honorary Member. An awarded, cutting-edge researcher, with ~$3,500,000 in Research Grants for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Dept. of State, etc. Since 2018 she leads a DHS educational grant as PI/lead course developer for a new Academic Program comprising Undergraduate, Graduate, and Certification Programs. For more info on her work: https://www.mariagburnsauthor.com/

Biography

Prof. Maria Burns is an acclaimed author, which combines science, literary, and audiovisual work. She is a National Academies scholar and a proud Honorary Member of the US Coast Guard Aux.

A prolific author, she conducts multidisciplinary scientific research, but also history, literature, and audiovisual art ( ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5241-1501 ).

Her published work 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).

She has also developed numerous research and training manuals for the Government (DHS/CBP/USCG) and the maritime and energy industries.
She is a valued researcher, with ~ $3,500,000 in Research Grants.

She is a principal investigator with the Borders, Trade, and Immigration Institute, a DHS Center of Excellence. A CO-PI with the Department of State, etc.

Since 2018 she leads a DHS-funded educational grant and is the lead course developer for a new Academic Program comprising Undergraduate, Graduate, and Certification/Continuing Education Programs.

Prof. Burns is a certified Maritime Auditor for Security (ISPS), Safety (ISM), Quality, and the Environment. She holds two Masters degrees, one in Maritime/International Trade and Transport (London Metropolitan University, UK), and one in Political Science (University of Houston). Her Doctoral research in Political Science (University of Houston) focuses on   Human Trafficking and the activities of Transnational Criminal Organizations.

Education

    Grad studies in Political Science (Policy/Data Analysis)
    MSc. in Intl. Trade and Transport (Business, Leadership)
    M.A. in Political Science (Policy/Data Analysis)

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

    As a dedicated polymath, my passion for innovation drives me to conduct interdisciplinary academic research.  

    Security, Political Science, Law & Policy Analysis,  Transnational Criminal Organizations, Economics & Forecasting, Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Anthropology, Astronomy, Military History, Logistics, Supply Chain and Global Trade and Transport, Marketing.

Personal Interests

    Big Data Analytics, Space, AI, Economic Forecasts, Anthropology, World History, Ancient Greek and Roman HIstory & Languages, Linguistics, Music Composition, Multimedia.

Websites

Books

Featured Title
 Featured Title - Port Management and Operations - 1st Edition book cover

Articles

Journal of Transportation Security

Containerized cargo security at the U.S. – Mexico border: how supply chain vulnerabilities impact processing times at land ports of entry


Published: Dec 01, 2019 by Journal of Transportation Security
Authors: Maria G. Burns

The nucleus of this research is to identify how the strategies of trucking and land transportation and logistics companies utilizing the U.S. Mexican border land routes affect border processing times while providing policy recommendations for specific problems. Namely, this work identifies a link between delays and security at the border, as opposed to security risk-mitigation strategies by truckers on the Mexican side of the border.

Port Technology

Ports of the Future: Why Security is the Measure of Port Intelligence


Published: Sep 01, 2019 by Port Technology
Authors: Maria G. Burns

https://www.porttechnology.org/technical-papers/ports-of-the-future-why-security-is-the-measure-of-port-intelligence/

TXTA Trucking Association

Cargo Theft and Logistics Security


Published: Dec 01, 2018 by TXTA Trucking Association
Authors: Maria G. Burns

Conference Proceedings https://www.texastrucking.com/txta/pdf/Speaker%20bios%2031818.pdf

Journal of Transportation Security

Participatory Operational & Security Assessment on homeland security risks: an empirical research method for improving security beyond the borders through public/private partnerships


Published: Nov 30, 2018 by Journal of Transportation Security
Authors: Maria G. Burns
Subjects: Economics, Finance, Business & Industry, Military & Security Studies

This paper proposes novel applications of Participatory Operational Assessment (POA), as a qualitative/empirical tool for bridging the research gap in our knowledge of Border Security, while supporting the mission of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security “to build in security, to ensure resilience, and to facilitate customs and exchange”.

National Academies

Energy Security: Supply Chain and the Paradox of Change


Published: Dec 01, 2017 by National Academies
Authors: Maria G. Burns

Conference Proceedings

National Academies

The paradox of Energy Security


Published: Dec 01, 2017 by National Academies
Authors: Maria G. Burns

https://ctssr.transportation.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2017/11/Energy-and-the-Supply-Chain.pdf

National Academies

Logistics and Transportation Security: A Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Guide to Resilience. Technical Presentation


Published: Dec 01, 2016 by National Academies
Authors: Maria G. Burns

National Academies, TRB, Washington DC, Conference Proceedings

National Academies

Logistics and Transportation Security: A Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Guide to Resilience. Technical Presentation


Published: Dec 01, 2016 by National Academies
Authors: Maria G. Burns

National Academies, TRB, Washington DC, Conference Proceedings

Journal of Transportation Security

Estimating the impact of maritime security: financial tradeoffs between security and efficiency


Published: Jan 12, 2013 by Journal of Transportation Security
Authors: Maria G. Burns
Subjects: Business, Management and Accounting, Military & Security Studies

Maritime transportation accounts for over seventy percent (70 %) of global transport, thus exceeding the carriage of goods by air and land. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the U.S., the IMO, under the umbrella of the United Nations, established the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)...

Photos

News

Maritime Industry Leaders to Answer Questions in Port of the Future Webinar

By: Maria G. Burns
Subjects: Business, Management and Accounting, Economics, Finance, Business & Industry, Military & Security Studies, Other

https://uh.edu/technology/news-events/stories/2020/july/0729-maritime

https://events.bizzabo.com/228322?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=92164183&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8R3WZXDDhqNibDlI_aYdDie1mhDRqrK0bJAHcm9Esw5gLsyVm1d1UG0VUL1TQYB_Vm0c5Mnj0uekOnt2CrriYhrIVMfQ&utm_content=92164183&utm_source=hs_email

By Marilyn Jones  

July 29, 2020

The first in a series of six free one-hour monthly webinars, “Business Resumption in a Global Pandemic Environment,” will be held Thursday, July 30th, 12:00 p.m. Industry leaders will discuss how ports of entry and the transportation and logistics industries can navigate through the global pandemic. The webinar series will lead into a major Port of the Future Conference planned for March 2021.

Maria Burns, professor of Supply Chain and Logistics Technology, and director of the Logistics & Transportation Policy Program at the University of Houston College of Technology will moderate a panel that will include John Hark, chartering director of Bertling Logistics, Sean Strawbridge chief executive officer, Port of Corpus Christi and Thomas Damsgaard, president of LDN Ventures. In addition to their discussion about the influence of emerging trends such as nearshoring, procurement diversification, and managing remotely, the panelists will share best practices for survival amid the global pandemic and tackle tough questions such as predictions about when demand will return, how to plan for potential bottle necks in supply chains, the economic status of the energy and shipping markets.

Having served the maritime industry for over 20 years, Burns recognizes the industry's need for strategies to navigate out of the crisis intact. “The new normal has initiated a new chapter in the maritime industry. The earlier we understand this radical shift in values and priorities, the better use we will make of our time and resources in what really matters,” she said. Noting the impact of the new normal in education and professional development, Burns said, “There is a whole new skill set that our students need to grasp, which goes beyond the conventional soft and hard skills.”

Register for the webinar at: July 30th Webinar: Business Resumption in a Global Pandemic Environment

Webinar registrants will receive a copy of the video recording, along with the slides.

 

 

Story: Hyperloop coming to Texas but not necessarily Houston

By: Maria G. Burns
Subjects: Business, Management and Accounting, Economics, Finance, Business & Industry

What can accelerate to speeds up to 700 mph? Hyperloop! Would it be good for Houston? See what Professor Maria Burns said about the future in this interview.

So, is it a good idea or bad one? Let's find out together as we hop aboard in today’s Inside Story from the pages of Houstonia.

 

10th Homeland Security Symposium | Research - Participatory Operational Assessment

By: Maria G. Burns
Subjects: Military & Security Studies, Other

The Borders, Trade and Immigration Institute (BTI) has successfully concluded two years of the project titled “Participatory Operational Assessment (POA): Evaluating and predicting the operational effectiveness of Cargo Security Process at Ports of Entry (POEs).” This project is led by Maria G. Burns, performer with the BTI Institute since 2015.

Videos

Effectiveness of Cargo Security Processes

Published: Dec 13, 2017

BTI, a DHS Center of Excellence Project: Participatory Operational Assessment (POA): Evaluating and predicting the operational effectiveness of Cargo Security Processes at Ports of Entry” Researcher (PI): Maria G. Burns, University of Houston

BTI Homeland Security Enterprise Curriculum Development Project

Published: Dec 10, 2019

A status update of the Curriculum Development project at the Borders, Trade, and Immigration Institute, a DHS Center of Excellence.