Dr. Oxley earned a Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia, a Masters from California State U. Northridge, and a BA from U of California, San Diego. She is presently Professor of Chemistry at the University of Rhode Island (URI), where she specializes in the study of energetic materials explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics with a specialty in explosives used by terrorists. In addition to research activities Oxley organizes and teaches specialty classes to professionals working in the field of explosives. She has published well over 100 articles on energetic materials.