Tarleton State University Faculty
Tarleton State University Faculty
Dr. Katherine Brown
Dr. Katherine Brown is a professional associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Tarleton State University. Dr. Brown is also a Faculty Affiliate in The Institute on Violence Against Women and Human Trafficking at Tarleton. In addition to her interest in crimes against women and children, her research interests include child abduction murder investigation, crime scene investigation, serial murder, crime scene assessment, technology-facilitated crimes against children, forensic evidence, and other solvability factors affecting murder investigations. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Government with a minor in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin and received both her Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology and her Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. Her most recent publications have been featured in several books, and the Journal of Forensic Sciences.
Dr. Brown is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). Dr. Brown was appointed to a three-year term as a Forensic Science Foundation (FSF) Trustee and will serve as the 2024-25 FSF Secretary. Dr. Brown was also appointed to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board (ASB) Crime Scene Investigation Consensus Body. The consensus body is responsible for developing, reviewing, and voting on standards, best practice recommendations, and technical reports in the discipline of forensic science. Dr. Brown was awarded the American Academy of Forensic Sciences General Section Paul W. Kehres Meritorious Service Award (2022) and the John R. Hunt Award (2023) recognizing her professional service to AAFS and the forensic science community. Dr. Brown also serves as a consultant to Child Abduction Response Teams (CARTs) across the United States.
Dr. Alexander Herescu
Dr. Herescu earned a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University, for work in energy technology and microfluidics. His research interests and expertise are in the thermal-fluid sciences, pertaining to thermal and fluid management applied to the development of alternative energy and biomedical technology, in particular applications presenting small passages (e.g. heat exchangers, phase separators, and filtration systems) and controlled hydrophilic-hydrophobic wetting. He worked on a government contract (Department of Energy) that addressed target barriers of water transport within the PEM fuel cell stack (hydrogen batteries), in cooperation with General Motors. He started his engineering career as an aerospace engineer, carrying out wind tunnel testing and numerical simulations to investigate propellant management in low-gravity environments.
Dr. Md Shahriar Islam
Dr. Md Shahriar Islam is an Assistant Professor in Public Administration at Tarleton State University. His research interests include behavioral public administration and management with a particular focus on trust in government, public service delivery, and social justice. Additionally, Dr. Islam is interested in studying the relationship between public management, mass violence prevention, and diversity and equity. His research appeared in the International Journal of Public Administration, the International Journal of Leadership in Public Service, and the South Asian Survey. Dr. Islam works on different public administration and management issues by taking examples from the Global South.
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly is an instructor of public administration at Tarleton State University. Prof. Kelly earned her master’s in public service and administration from George H.W. Bush School of Government at Texas A&M. She is a returned Peace Corps volunteer and a former legislative director with the Texas House of Representatives. She has professional experience in policy, education, research, government, political campaigns, community development, and nonprofits. Her purpose is to educate public servants so that they can become the authentic and inspirational leaders of tomorrow.
Dr. Amy Odell
Dr. Amy O’Dell is an assistant professor of legal studies at Tarleton State University and department head for the Department of Government, Legal Studies, and Philosophy. She received her law degree from Delaware Law School and is licensed to practice law in Delaware, New Jersey, and Texas. She has spent much of her career preparing undergraduates to work in the legal field as paralegals and lawyers. Her research interests are high-impact teaching practices, undergraduate persistence, and the qualities of a master teacher.
Dr. Nourouddin Sharifi
Dr. Sharifi is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Tarleton State University. His background is in thermal-fluid sciences, specifically energy storage and conversion. He received his PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut and he has extensive experience in teaching and research in different institutions. His scientific findings are highlighted in several journal articles and patents. Dr. Sharifi’s research interests include thermal-fluid sciences and applications; energy storage and conversion (thermal, electrical, etc.); biocompatible and implantable electrical energy storage; hydrogel for cancer tissue; drug delivery; and medical device applications: transport phenomena in multiphase systems, thermal management, phase change, heat pipes, microfluidics, and porous medium.
Dr. Alex Sullins
Dr. Alex Sullins is an assistant professor of sport management in the Department of Sport Science within the School of Kinesiology at Tarleton State University. Dr. Sullins is also a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional, certified by National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Before university teaching, Dr. Sullins spent his early career in the sport and recreation industry within minor league sports, college administration, and municipal recreation, Dr. Sullins focuses on whole student development as well as career preparation. Dr. Sullins’ research interests include sports tourism, both active and passive, motivations for active participation in sports, and youth development within sports
