Mark Fagan is a Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, with affiliations to the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Taubman Center for State and Local Government, and Center for Public Leadership. He teaches courses on operations management, policy design, and supply chain management. Previously, he was a Lecturer in Law at Boston University School of Law and a consultant at Norbridge, Inc. Education: MA in City and Regional Planning from Harvard University (199X), BA from Bucknell University (19XX). Research focuses on regulatory policy in competitive markets, autonomous vehicles, transportation systems, and energy markets. Key initiatives include leading the Autonomous Vehicle Policy Scrums initiative and publishing Supply Chain Management: A Public Sector Perspective (2024). His work examines how public policy can optimize supply chains while addressing geopolitical, environmental, and equity challenges. Teaching materials include digital courses on lobbying and advocacy, operations management case studies, and the Architect, Pilot, Scale, Improve policy implementation framework. Professional activities include advising governments on cross-sector policy design and consulting for private-sector clients in transportation, utilities, and telecommunications industries.
Professor Lynette Cheah is a leading academic in sustainable transport, holding the position of Professor and Chair of Sustainable Transport at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), Queensland, Australia. She directs the Sustainable Mobility Research Laboratory, focusing on data-driven models and digital tools to reduce transport environmental impacts. Her expertise spans smart cities, urban freight, transport modeling, and policy assessment. Educations: PhD in Engineering Systems (MIT) MSc in Management Science and Engineering (Stanford University) BSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Northwestern University) Research Interests: Lynette’s work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to address sustainable mobility challenges. Key areas include electric mobility, low-carbon transport infrastructure, transport equity, urban freight optimization, and climate policy. She collaborates with urban planners, computer scientists, and policymakers to translate research into real-world impact, such as leading UN climate reports and advising Singapore’s Public Transport Council (2019–2024). Publications & Awards: Lynette has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact journals like Transportation Research and Nature Energy . Notable awards include the 2023 TRB Best Applied Research Paper Award and the 2020 Graedel Prize. Her work has been featured in CNN, Nature, and ChannelNewsAsia. Grants & Collaborations: Current projects include electric mobility lifecycle assessments, universal basic mobility trials, and low-carbon transport infrastructure studies. Past collaborations include foresight studies for Singapore’s 2040 urban mobility vision and material flow analyses for vehicle lightweighting. Labs & Teams: She leads the Sustainable Mobility Research Laboratory at UniSC, fostering innovation in smart city technologies and sustainable transport systems.
Sibel Alumur Alev is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Graduate Studies at the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on logistics network design, hub location optimization, and sustainable transportation systems. She actively contributes to the fields of operations research and supply chain management, with a strong emphasis on addressing uncertainty in network design and strategic infrastructure planning. Her work spans applications in autonomous mobility systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, healthcare logistics, and pandemic response. She has published extensively on hub-and-spoke network models, reverse logistics for environmental sustainability, and multi-period resource allocation strategies. Notable areas of interest include the integration of stochastic and robust optimization methodologies into real-world logistics challenges. Dr. Alev’s research also bridges academic and industrial needs, addressing practical problems such as optimal testing center locations during pandemics and strategic freight hub expansions. Her contributions have been featured in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, reflecting her commitment to advancing both theoretical and applied aspects of logistics and operations research.
Jeremy J. Michalek is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. He serves as Director of the Design Decisions Laboratory and co-Director of the Vehicle Electrification Group, with affiliations in multiple sustainability-focused institutes including the Center for Climate and Energy Decision-Making. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (University of Michigan, 2005) Research spans vehicle electrification , life cycle analysis , consumer behavior , and green design . His recent publications focus on battery economics, charging infrastructure impacts, and equity considerations in transportation technologies. Key awards include the NSF CAREER Award , ASME Best Paper Award , and George Tallman Ladd Research Award . Michalek's work has been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times , The Atlantic , and BBC , with policy briefings presented on Capitol Hill. Current research explores EV supply chains, climate resilience, and transportation equity.
Mark Burris is the Herbert D. Kelleher Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University's College of Engineering, where he also serves as Division Head of Transportation & Materials Engineering. He is additionally a Research Engineer with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, demonstrating his dual commitment to academic research and practical transportation solutions. With a career spanning over two decades since joining Texas A&M in 2001, Burris has established himself as a leading expert in transportation economics and traveler behavior. Burris's research focuses on the intersection of transportation economics, behavioral psychology, and infrastructure management. His work primarily investigates traveler responses to pricing mechanisms, particularly value pricing and high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes. He has pioneered research combining traditional transportation engineering with behavioral economics to understand seemingly irrational traveler choices, such as paying to use express lanes that are sometimes slower than toll-free alternatives. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of travel time value, reliability valuation, and how psychological factors influence transportation decisions. Analysis of Burris's recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating behavioral economics with transportation engineering, with increasing attention to equity considerations in road pricing, the impacts of emerging technologies like autonomous and connected vehicles, and innovative methods for measuring traveler responses. His work consistently addresses practical transportation challenges while advancing theoretical understanding of travel behavior. Burris has served in prominent leadership roles, including a six-year term as chair of TRB's transportation economics committee. He has advised numerous federal agencies, serving on NCHRP panels and participating in FHWA expert forums on road pricing. His expertise is widely recognized in both academic and professional transportation circles. As an educator, Burris has advised over 60 graduate students and numerous undergraduates, teaching core courses including CVEN 307 (Introduction to Transportation Engineering), CVEN 454 (Urban Planning for Engineers), and CVEN 632 (Transportation Engineering: Economics). His research portfolio includes substantial funding from FHWA, NCHRP, and various state transportation agencies, with recent projects focusing on behavioral economics applications to managed lanes, vehicle miles traveled fee equity, and the impact of emerging mobility technologies.
Natalia Villanueva-Rosales is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). As Co-Principal Investigator at the NSF-funded Cyber-ShARE Center of Excellence, she leads the iLink Research Group focusing on semantic technologies and smart city initiatives. Ph.D. in Computer Science, Carleton University (2011) M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence, University of Edinburgh (2005) B.Sc. in Computer Science & Statistics, Universidad Panamericana & CINVESTAV-IPN (2002) Her research bridges Semantic Web technologies with Smart Cities applications, particularly in Water Sustainability and Senior Mobility . Key projects include ontology-based frameworks for freight performance data integration and community-driven smart mobility solutions. Recent publications demonstrate her interdisciplinary approach across Environmental Informatics (2022-2025) and Urban Mobility (2019-2022). She holds editorial and leadership roles in semantic science initiatives while actively mentoring through the ACM-W WICS student group. 2019 HEENAC Education Award 2019 NCWIT Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award Her NSF grants include IRES-1658733 for US-Mexico Smart Cities collaboration and OAC-1835897 for the SWIM water sustainability project. The iLink Research Group under her leadership develops ontological frameworks for cross-domain data integration and trust establishment in collaborative environments.
Nora MAREÏ, CNRS Researcher at PRODIG (UMR 8586), specializes in transport geography, territorial development, and urban dynamics across European, Mediterranean, and West African contexts. Her work bridges macroregional geoeconomic analysis with local territorial realities, focusing on infrastructure, logistics, and regional integration processes. Doctorate from University of Nantes (2012 thesis: Le détroit de Gibraltar, Porte du Monde, Frontière de l’Europe ) 2022-2026: Coordinator of ANR Trans-Log project on logistics cities 2021-2025: Member of LMI Movida II international lab Research interests include: Comparative analysis of institutional vs. private territorial production Metropolitanization and circulation patterns in Global South cities Eurafrican connectivity through ports like Tanger-Med Maritime chokepoints (Gibraltar, Suez) as development catalysts Recent publications examine: 2024: Morocco's role in Mediterranean-African transport hubs 2022: Tanger-Med's networked territorial challenges 2021: Dualization in Global South city logistics 2020: Regional integration models Scientific recognition: 2013 CNU Mappemonde thesis prize finalist 2023 'The Waters of Discord' award Teaching contributions: Master's courses on fieldwork methodology (since 2019) International transport geopolitics instruction (since 2013)
Tho Le is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering Technology at Purdue University’s School of Engineering Technology. He leads the Smart Logistics (SmartLogs) Systems Research Lab and is affiliated with the Institute for Control, Optimization, and Network (ICON), Realizing the Digital Enterprise (RDE) initiative, Integrative Data Science Initiative (IDSI), and Semiconductors @ Purdue. His research focuses on system-scale transportation modeling using optimization, AI/ML, and econometrics to guide industry and policy decisions. Education: Ph.D. in Transportation Systems, Purdue University MSc in Industrial Engineering (Operations Research), Purdue University M.Eng. in Transportation Engineering (Best Thesis Award), Hiroshima University Research Interests: Emerging technologies: sidewalk delivery robots, indoor service robots, drones Semiconductor supply chain resilience and Lean Six Sigma applications Digital twins for logistics systems and fleet management Freight transport, connected/autonomous vehicles, travel behavior modeling Awards & Recognition: Recipient of National Science Foundation grant for energy efficiency modeling (2024) Polytechnic Research Awards (July 2024) Lab & Collaboration: SmartLogs Lab: develops data-driven solutions for urban logistics and asset management Leadership in Purdue’s semiconductor initiatives aligned with the CHIPS Act
Guido Perboli is a Full Professor in the Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he also serves as Logistics Coordinator and Project Coordinator for activities supporting relationships with government bodies. He is a member of the Interdepartmental Center CARS@PoliTO (Center for Automotive Research and Sustainable Mobility) and serves as Director of the ICT for City Logistics and Enterprises (ICElab@Polito) research center, which he founded in 2016. His research interests span a broad range of topics including Operations Research, Logistics, Last-mile Delivery, Sustainable Logistics, Combinatorial Optimization, Stochastic Programming, Business Development, and Lean Business methodologies. His work particularly focuses on City Logistics, Green Logistics, and the application of emerging technologies like Blockchain and AI in supply chain management. He has developed GUEST, a Lean Business methodology for innovation processes from early idea definition to implementation. Professor Perboli's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on urban logistics, last-mile delivery optimization, blockchain applications in supply chains, and the integration of AI techniques in transportation systems. His work shows an increasing trend toward interdisciplinary research that combines optimization methods with emerging technologies to address sustainable urban mobility challenges. Professional Recognition: CASE Best Paper award from IEEE Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (2011) Effective member of INFORMS (2019-present) Effective member of EURO (1995-present) Effective member of AIRO (1995-present) Associate Editor for Journal of Applied Research and Technology (2020-present) Associate Editor for Sustainability (2018-present) Professor Perboli actively advises PhD students and has supervised numerous research projects, including EU-funded initiatives like SINFONICA, HESTER, and 5G-LOGINNOV. He serves as Scientific Director for multiple commercial research projects focused on blockchain, IoT, and AI applications in logistics. Beyond academia, he is Chief Scientific Officer of Arisk S.p.A., a fintech company specializing in business crisis prediction using AI and machine learning. His research group, ICElab@Polito, focuses on two main areas supporting urban growth: logistics and enterprises. The center collaborates with numerous companies including Amazon, DHL, and FCA, addressing real-world challenges in urban logistics and supply chain management through innovative research approaches.
Professor Min An is a Professor of Construction and Risk Management at the University of Salford, leading the Infrastructure Research Group within the School of Science, Engineering & Environment. He holds an honorary professorship at two overseas universities (China and Portugal) and serves on the editorial boards of 12 international journals. With over 40 years of experience, his career spans academic roles at Heriot-Watt University, Coventry University, and the University of Birmingham, alongside industry roles as a civil engineer and researcher. His research focuses on safety and risk management in construction, transportation systems, and energy sectors, with over 200 publications. Key areas include railway and highway safety, offshore oil & gas risk assessment, and nuclear reliability management. He has secured funding from EPSRC, EU, DfT, and industry partners, leading 20+ projects. Notable achievements include developing methodologies for infrastructure safety and maintaining collaborations with 30+ industrial partners. Professor An has supervised 30 PhD students and over 280 postgraduate projects, contributing to industry workshops and best practices. Awards include multiple science technology prizes and conference best paper/keynote recognitions. His teaching spans risk management, construction safety, and project management across MSc programs.
Jorge Gil is an Associate Professor in Urban Analytics and Informatics at Chalmers University of Technology's Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering. His research focuses on integrated urban models, Smart Cities, City Information Modelling (CIM), and Urban Digital Twins, with applications in sustainable mobility, social inclusion, energy transition, and circular economy. He develops GIS solutions and open science methodologies. Teaching includes GIS, sustainable mobility, and spatial data science courses. He supervises Bachelor, Master's, and PhD students. Current projects include LogiNets (logistics network flows analysis), ComCy (cycling safety), and FlowSense (traffic flow data). Key research outputs span agent-based modeling of waste sorting behavior, mobility equity analysis, and multimodal urban network frameworks. He co-authored over 50 publications and actively contributes to interdisciplinary urban planning initiatives.
Dr. Patrick Beullens is an Associate Professor in Operational Research and Management Science at the University of Southampton's Southampton Business School. He specializes in applied research across ocean shipping, retail supply chains, logistics, and inventory control. His work integrates mathematical techniques such as stochastic processes, optimization algorithms, and game theory to address real-world challenges like environmental performance in shipping and food waste reduction. Key roles include Principal Investigator on EC-funded projects (e.g., SEABILLA, LOGMAN) and supervision of PhD students like Fangsheng Ge. Current projects focus on maritime emission abatement and economic ship speed models. He teaches Supply Chain Management, Risk Management, and Optimization courses. Research Groups: CORMSIS, Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, Supply Chain Excellence Centre. Grants: Over £200k from Shell and SMMI for PhD scholarships, MoD-funded inventory projects, and EU initiatives. His research spans maritime economics, reverse logistics, and decision-making under risk. Collaborations include BAE Systems, EDF Energy, and international institutions like the Joint Research Centre.
Sarah Hernandez is an Associate Professor in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas , specializing in transportation systems engineering. Her research focuses on advanced data collection and analysis for freight planning, and she teaches graduate courses in transportation planning and data analysis. Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine M.S. in Civil Engineering, University of California, Irvine B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Florida Her research integrates Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies to address freight data gaps, including: Development of tools for freight performance measures Fusion of GPS, WIM, and lock performance data Weather impact on freight traffic Lidar-based truck classification Key trends in her publications include: Advancing sensor technologies for freight analytics Improving long-range infrastructure planning Addressing data gaps in commercial vehicle operations Enhancing freight network efficiency through modeling Scientific awards: Private Sector Applicability Award, TRB Intermodal Freight Committee (2018) As founder of the Freight Transportation Data Research Lab , she leads initiatives on unbiased freight planning and workforce diversity. Her outreach includes mentoring middle and elementary school STEM programs.
Lianne Lefsrud serves as Associate Professor and Risk, Innovation, and Sustainability Chair (RISC) in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering. Her interdisciplinary research bridges engineering, social sciences, and policy to transform risk management practices across energy, mining, construction, and railroading industries, directly influencing regulations, building codes, and industry operations for sustainable development. Her academic credentials include: BSc in Civil Engineering (Cooperative Program), University of Alberta (1994) MSc in Interdisciplinary Civil & Environmental Engineering and Sociology, University of Alberta (1996) PhD in Strategic Management and Organization, Alberta School of Business (2014) Dr. Lefsrud's research centers on risk management frameworks for sustainability challenges. She examines hazard identification, social license to operate, and technology adoption drivers in high-hazard industries, with emphasis on prospective risk assessment (e.g., hydrogen infrastructure design) and retrospective analysis (e.g., microplastic pollution impacts). Her work integrates circular economy principles into energy systems while addressing unintended consequences across UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate heavy focus on machine learning applications for rail and construction safety, hydrogen infrastructure risk analysis, and science denial mitigation. Key patterns show cross-industry adaptation of AI for incident prediction, regulatory gap analysis for emerging energy systems, and socio-technical approaches to reconcile sustainability goals with operational realities. Scientific recognition includes: Erb Post-Doctoral Fellowship (University of Michigan) Dow Sustainability Research Fellowship (Ross School of Business) Dr. Lefsrud mentors graduate students through industry-integrated projects like her Sustainable Design course where teams generated patents and city solutions. Her research secures Alberta Innovates funding with 1:4 industrial-to-federal matching, collaborating with Suncor, Transport Canada, and Canadian Standards Association. Grants target practical implementations including railcar inspection systems and hydrogen safety protocols. She co-founded Insight Risk Systems and leads the Lefsrud Lab, prioritizing inclusive teams with under-represented groups (women, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, neurodiverse) to tackle 'wicked problems' in sustainability. The lab leverages interdisciplinary partnerships across engineering, computer science, psychology, and environmental sociology for real-world risk management solutions.
Yu Nie is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northwestern University, affiliated with the NU-TREND research group within the McCormick School of Engineering. His work focuses on optimizing transportation networks, integrating human behavior, infrastructure design, and network topology to enhance mobility, reliability, and sustainability. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, an M.S. from the National University of Singapore, and a B.S. (cum laude) from Tsinghua University. His research interests span interdisciplinary approaches combining optimization, network science, traffic flow theory, economics, and statistics. Key areas include congestion pricing strategies, ride-hailing market dynamics, autonomous vehicle integration, and transit system design. He has contributed to studies on dockless bike-sharing systems, ethics-aware transit design, and traffic management in autonomous vehicle zones. Nie’s recent publications (2024–2025) highlight advancements in modular autonomous vehicle systems, co-modal freight solutions, and policy frameworks for sustainable urban mobility. His work often bridges theoretical insights with practical applications, addressing challenges like EV charging chaos and ride-pooling impacts. He received the 2021 Transportation Science Meritorious Service Award for his editorial contributions. His research also explores freight exchange platforms, taxi market resilience during pandemics, and the role of route choice models in transit design. Labs/Teams: Yu Nie is associated with the NU-TREND research group, specializing in innovative transportation solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration.
