Dr. Karla-Sue C. Marriott

Dr. Karla-Sue C. Marriott is a scientist, educator, and innovator in forensic science and medicinal chemistry. She has led an impactful academic and research career, currently serving as Professor and Director of the Forensic Science Program at Roger Williams University (RWU). Prior to RWU, she founded and directed the forensic science program at Savannah State University, where she also served as interim Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science. Dr. Marriott has served as Principal Investigator or Co-PI on multiple federally funded projects through the NIH, NSF, NASA, and the Department of Defense. She is the founding director of the VITAL (Visual, Immersive, and Tangible Applications in Learning) Center and is recognized for her pioneering work in immersive forensic science education using virtual reality (VR) technologies. Her innovations have been featured in Virtual Reality in Higher Education: Instruction for the Digital Age . Dr. Marriott has mentored numerous undergraduate students in high-impact forensic research, resulting in conference presentations and scholarly work. She began her career as a forensic officer in Jamaica and later joined Clemson University as a postdoctoral researcher in medicinal chemistry, working under renowned chemist Dr. John W. Huffman. Her current biomedical research focuses on therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative and immune disorders. At RWU, Dr. Marriott has spearheaded curriculum enhancements to align with FEPAC standards, introduced new courses like Crime Scene with Lab and Chemistry of Cannabis , and established a state-of-the-art forensic science laboratory. Her global research footprint includes collaboration with NASA on experiments launched to the International Space Station, and her work in medicinal chemistry has led to a U.S. patent for compounds with potential in treating Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. Dr. Marriott’s honors include the Savannah State University (SSU) President’s Faculty Award for Innovation and Excellence, the Community Change Agent Award from Operation One STEM at a Time, the Paul Harris Fellowship for Alzheimer’s research, and RWU’s Dr. Mark Gould Commitment to Student Learning Award, voted on by students. Outside of science, she is a self-taught painter and former TEDx speaker whose work integrates themes of nature, perception, and the human condition.