Dr. Camela Hughes
Director
As an expert in criminal justice, Dr. Hughes specializes in statistics/methodology, criminology, and criminal/juvenile justice policy. She also has extensive experience establishing formal protocols and procedures, ensuring all federal, state, and local requirements are met and maintained.
Her published works can be found in Applied Psychology in Criminal Justice, International Journal of Police Science & Management, The Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Residential Treatment for Children and Youth.
Dr. Ian Macdonald
Administrative Director
Dr. MacDonald joined the Saint Rose faculty in 2001. He is currently serving as Dean of the Division of Science and Business and Professor of Cybersecurity and Computer Science.
His specialization is in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data communications, bioinformatics and looking at the digital forensics involved in cybercrimes and cybersecurity incidents.
Special Advisors
Dr. Rob Flint
Professor of Psychology
Dr. Flint earned his Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Kent State University and teaches courses such as Forensic Neuroscience, Neuropsychology, Psychopharmacology, and Motivation.
How he helps: He serves as a consultant for the Cold Case Analysis Center on cases involving drugs of abuse and significant neurobiological factors.
Dr. Sara Alvaro
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Alvaro earned her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Duke University and teaches courses such as Introduction to Forensic Science, Quantitative Analysis, Forensic Assays, Instrumental Analysis, and General Chemistry.
How she helps: She is a consultant for the Cold Case Analysis Center, providing expertise in analytical chemistry and analyzing evidence involving instrumental methods such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
Dr. Lillian Rodriguez Steen
Assistant Professor of Forensic Psychology
Dr. Rodriguez Steen teaches courses such as Introductory and Advanced Forensic Psychology, Research Methods and Statistics, and Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychology. She holds a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology from Ontario Tech University, and her research interests meet at the intersection of Forensic and Developmental Psychology.
How she helps: As a consultant for the Cold Case Analysis Center, she provides expertise in conducting investigative interviews with youth, children’s eye-witness reports, and juvenile justice regarding justice-involved youths’ decision-making and juvenile offenders.
Dr. Mark Gilder
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Dr. Gilder earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and teaches courses such as Digital Forensics, Cybersecurity, Networking, and Advanced Programming at The College of Saint Rose.
How he helps: He is a Cold Case Analysis Center consultant on Cyber Crime cases.
Dr. Brad Bauer
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Bauer earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Delaware and teaches courses such as Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, General Chemistry, and Calculus 3 at The College of Saint Rose.
How he helps: He is a consultant for the Cold Case Analysis Center, providing expertise in thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and applied mathematics—direct general science inquiries to Dr. Bauer.
Dr. Katlyn Farnum
Associate Professor of Forensic Psychology
Dr. Farnum is an Associate Professor of Forensic Psychology at The College of Saint Rose, where she teaches courses such as Introduction to Forensic Psychology, Forensic Mental Health Law, Advanced Forensic Psychology, Prejudice and Discrimination in the Legal System, and Research Methods and Statistics. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Psychology and Law Program and a Master of Legal Studies from the University of Nebraska College of Law. Her research utilizes social psychological theories to understand and predict prejudice and discrimination within the legal system.
How she helps: As a consultant for the Cold Case Analysis Center, she provides expertise in correlates and predictors of behaviors within the legal system and psychological and legal issues faced by vulnerable populations, often victims of crime.
Dr. Ross Krawczyk
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Dr. Krawczyk is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in New York. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Florida in 2013. At Saint Rose, he teaches courses related to clinical psychology, mental illness, research methods, and statistics. Dr. Krawczyk maintains a private practice specializing in eating disorders and medical psychology. His research and clinical interests include body image and eating disorders.
How he helps: As a consultant for the Cold Case Analysis Center, he provides expertise in psychiatric symptoms, competency evaluations, clinical issues, and risk assessment.
Dr. David DeBonis
Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Dr. DeBonis earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from The State University at Albany and his M.S. in Audiology from The Pennsylvania State University. He teaches Advanced Audiology, Research Methods, and Survey of Communication Sciences and Disorders courses.
How he helps: He is a consultant for the Cold Case Analysis Center on cases involving hearing loss and auditory disorders.
Stephen Maher
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Behavior, and Law
Professor Maher is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Behavior, and Law at the College of Saint Rose, where he teaches courses in Evidence, Expert Testimony, Courts, Human Trafficking, Homeland Security, and Trial Practice. A lawyer, former prosecutor, law enforcement professional, and military officer, he holds a J.D. from Albany Law School and a Master’s in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. He has conducted hundreds of trials and hearings and thousands of investigations in major felony cases. Professor Maher’s interests include intelligence analysis, surveillance, DNA evidence, investigative techniques, use of informants, prison and parole systems, and trial practice.
How he helps: As a consultant for the Cold Case Analysis Center, he provides expertise regarding leads, proof analysis, witness interviews, prison intelligence, prison informants, and case development for charging and trial.
Maureen Rotondi, MSSW, LCSW-R
Associate Professor of Social Work
Professor Rotondi earned her MSW in 1992 from The State University of New York at Albany and was credentialed as an LCSW-R in 1998. Professor Rotondi teaches courses such as Psychopathology, Family Violence, Child Maltreatment, and Psychotherapy at The College of Saint Rose.
How she helps: She has been a forensic interviewer since 2004 and was a founding member of the Rensselaer County Multidisciplinary Team/Child Fatality Team, consulting with law enforcement, prosecutors, and child welfare agencies. She serves as a consultant for the Cold Case Analysis Center on cases involving child fatalities, abductions, and sexual assault.