Shari Stamford Krause, PhD was born Shari Marie Stamford on March 16, 1961 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from North Allegheny High School, near Pittsburgh, where she was active in Air Force Jr. ROTC. Dr. Krause received her private pilot's license at the Allegheny County Airport in 1980. After graduating from Metropolitan State College, Denver, Colorado, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Technology in May 1983, she worked as a Logistics Engineer on the Peacekeeper Missile Program for Martin Marietta Aerospace. In 1990, Dr. Krause matriculated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She received a Master of Aeronautical Science Degree and a Distinguished Graduate award for obtaining a 4.0 GPA. Dr. Krause received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Management from Pacific Western University in 1991, with her dissertation titled, "A Total Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Concept."
Dr. Krause is the author of numerous articles on aviation safety and two books (thus far), published by McGraw-Hill Professional Book Group: Avoiding Mid-Air Collisions (1994) and Aircraft Safety: Accident Investigations, Analyses, & Applications, (1996). Dr. Krause also published aviation instruction software to supplement her safety texts, which many higher quality, collegiate and international aviation education programs use. Dr. Krause taught aerospace science and aviation safety courses for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Auburn University. Dr. Krause is also an internationally renowned Aviation Consultant, who has contributed to aviation safety projects with Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company, Flight Safety Foundation, and the Association of Flight Attendants, among others. Her work has been featured throughout the United States and internationally, such as through conferences in Shanghai, China, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. She also served as the aviation technical consultant for several televised ABS News documentaries.
Dr. Krause is active in numerous professional organizations, including the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA), where she serves as the Chair for the Aircraft Operations Technical Committee, and Chair of the Aircraft Technology, Integration, and Operations Forum. Dr. Krause is on the Board of Directors for the International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA), and she is a long-standing member of the Ninety-Nines International Women Pilots Association.