معرفی
Thomas Sharkey is a Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Clemson University's College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS). His research focuses on network optimization, interdiction, and resilience with applications in public sector problems including human trafficking disruption and Arctic emergency response.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Florida (2008)
- M.S.E. in Mathematical Sciences, Johns Hopkins University (2004)
- B.S. in Mathematical Sciences, Johns Hopkins University (2004)
Research Interests: Dr. Sharkey's work centers on network optimization and interdiction, with a strong emphasis on real-world applications. His research spans network resilience, supply chain security, and public sector operations research. Recent efforts have concentrated on disrupting human trafficking networks through sophisticated network interdiction models and enhancing emergency response in the Arctic. His interdisciplinary approach often involves collaboration with law enforcement, policymakers, and community stakeholders to address complex societal challenges.
Publication Trends: Over the past five years, Dr. Sharkey's research has increasingly focused on human trafficking disruption and Arctic emergency response. His work integrates network interdiction models with real-world data to develop actionable strategies for law enforcement. A notable trend is the application of bilevel and multi-objective optimization to model attacker-defender dynamics in illicit networks. Additionally, his research on fundamental surprise events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to operational resilience frameworks for critical infrastructure.
Professional Affiliations:
- Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
- Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
Advising and Grants: Dr. Sharkey has led multiple federally funded projects, including an NSF CAREER award (2013) for "New Scheduling Models for Supply Chain Restoration, Construction, and Redesign" and a Collaborative Research grant (2013) on "Dynamic Resource Allocation Models for Law Enforcement Operations against Illegal Drug Trafficking". His research portfolio also includes RAPID and D-ISN TRACK 1 grants addressing infrastructure restoration and human trafficking disruption. As a professor, he mentors graduate students in operations research and industrial engineering, though specific advisee names are not provided in the source material.
Labs and Teams: Dr. Sharkey contributes to the Resiliency and Security in Complex Networks research thrust within the Department of Industrial Engineering. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, including the Network Science Center at Clemson, to develop models for critical infrastructure protection and illicit network disruption. His transdisciplinary projects often involve partnerships with law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community stakeholders.
