Team Members
Leadership
Michael A. Knodler, Jr., Ph.D.
Director
Michael A. Knodler, Jr. Ph.D, is a professor in the Transportation Engineering Program of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Chris Ahmadjian, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Chris is responsible for leading a diverse team of highly skilled in-house and affiliated professionals to create a dynamic environment of innovative thinking.
Rebecca Kormanos
Assistant Director
Becca is the Assistant Director with the UMTC. She began her work at the Center in September of 2018 as the Senior Transportation Specialist.
Training & Outreach
Technical Training Specialist
Michael Smith is the Technical Training Specialist from Baystate Roads. He was a Highway Superintendent for 20 years where he development and implemented modern road maintenance techniques.
Project Coordinator
Stephanie Cottrell is a Project Coordinator for the Transportation Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Project Coordinator
Caitlin started as a Project Coordinator in September of 2022.
Project Coordinator
Mary Ann joined the UMass Transportation Center as a Project Coordinator in August of 2023.
Research
Matt Mann
Manager of Research
Matt has over 15 years of regional transportation planning experience.
Tracy Zafian
Research Fellow
Tracy Zafian is a Research Fellow at the UMTC. She has over 20 years of experience in transportation research and planning, and has worked in academia, consulting, and in local and regional government.
Francis Tainter, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Francis Tainter is a Research Assistant Professor in the Transportation Engineering Program in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
UMassSafe
Robin Riessman
Director, UMassSafe
Robin holds a master’s degree in public health and has worked in the field of highway safety for nearly 30 years.
Jennifer Gazzillo
Program Manager, UMassSafe
Jenn has been with UMassSafe since her years as a student research assistant.
Cole Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor, UMassSafe
Cole has been an active member of the UMassSafe program since his time here as a graduate student.
Ben Roney-Yeager
Research and Project Assistant, UMassSafe
As a Research and Project Assistant, Ben provides technical support for all UMassSafe research and outreach activities as well as acts as the in-house technical editor.
Finance and Administration
Business Manager
Kristina Stetson joined the UMass Transportation Center Regional Traveler Information Center (RTIC) in 2001 as the project Business Manager.
Grants & Contracts Coordinator
Kimberly joined the UMass Transportation Center in February 2017 as the Grants & Contracts Coordinator.
Administrative Assistant
Kassandra joined the UMass Transportation Center in January 2017 as an Administrative Assistant.
Marketing and Communications
Manager of Marketing and Communications
With over 20 years of graphic design, web design and marketing experience, my goal is to increase the awareness and exposure of the UMass Transportation Center.
Media Relations Specialist
Kathryn Donnelly has been with the UMass Transportation Center since June 2014. Starting as a Workshop Coordinator under Baystate Roads, she transitioned to the Media Relations Specialist for the center in early 2016.
Core Faculty
Song Gao, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Gao has been an Associate Professor for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering since September 2013.
Daiheng Ni, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Ni has been a Professor for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering since 2011.
Eleni Christofa, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
I have research experience in traffic operations, management, and safety with a focus on multimodal transportation systems.
Eric Gonzales, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
I have research experience in modeling urban street networks, and my interests are in the operation, management, design, and safety of large-scale multimodal transportation systems.
Chengbo Ai, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
My interdisciplinary research focuses on developing computational models, automated algorithms and hardware systems using remote sensing technologies and spatial analysis techniques as they are applied in the fields of transportation asset management, geometry design and roadway safety, pavement preservation and maintenance, and many other critical transportation applications.
Jimi Oke, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
My research focus lies in accessibility, resilience and sustainability in networks. I am interested in solving problems at the nexus of transportation, energy and infrastructure. My methods combine data mining, network science, machine learning and optimization.
John Collura, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Collura is the Director of the UMass Aviation Center and Professor Emeritus for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Paul Shuldiner, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Shuldiner is Professor Emeritus for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
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