The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Office of the Assistant Secretary of Research and Technology (OST-R) has been visiting University Transportation Centers (UTCs) to enhance their understanding of the consortiums’ research agenda and to express appreciation and support for their contributions.
On October 9, Dr. Firas Ibrahim (Director, Office of Research, Development, and Technology, Chief Scientific Integrity Officer, Deputy Chief Science Officer), Mr. Caesar Singh (Director, University Grants Programs) and Mr. Thomas Saad (Senior Advisor, Special Programs and Projects) visited Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) Headquarters to meet with the Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH) team. CARTEEH was awarded a second grant under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for a Tier 1 University Transportation Center.
The visit started with remarks from Texas A&M University System Leadership, Mr. Greg Winfree (TTI Agency Director) and Dr. Joe Elabd (Vice Chancellor for Research, A&M System).
Dr. Joe Zietsman (CARTEEH Director) provided an overview of the center. CARTEEH consortium members, Dr. Tara Ramani (CARTEEH Deputy Director), Dr. Randall Guensler (University Lead, Georgia Tech University), Dr. Wen-Whai Li (University Lead, University of Texas at El Paso), Dr. Kanok Boriboonsomsin (University Lead, University of California, Riverside), Dr. Jeremy Mattson (University Lead, North Dakota State University), Dr. Mary Fox (University Lead, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) and Dr. Robert Mayberry (University Lead, Morehouse School of Medicine) highlighted the research and workforce development activities conducted under CARTEEH.
The group met with CARTEEH-affiliated faculty members and students during a working lunch. CARTEEH showcased seven research posters to present its current and future projects, and to discuss the progress of its key research activities.
The group enjoyed a walking tour of TTI Headquarters and a RELLIS Windshield Tour, which included a trip to the Clean Transportation Research Complex. Of particular interest to the group was the Environmental and Emissions Research Facility, which is home to one of the largest environmental test chambers in the country as well as numerous other testing-related capabilities including a heavy-duty dynamometer.
The day concluded with the OST-R leadership sharing insights and strategic direction for CARTEEH to continue achieving success.