PhD student appointed member of the TRB standing committee
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Doctoral student Maryam Yousefibaseri has been appointed to the Transportation Research Board (TRB) standing committee on transportation in rural areas.
The committee is focused on the unique transportation challenges and needs of rural communities, and explores issues related to public and specialized transportation services, including those provided by intercity bus and specialized transportation providers.
“I will be contributing to national research agendas that aim to improve transportation systems and accessibility in these communities,” said Maryam.
Her responsibilities include attending committee meetings, participating in research discussions, helping review TRB papers, co-organizing sessions at the annual meeting, and collaborating with other experts to identify emerging issues and best practices in rural mobility.
In this role, she wants to amplify the voices of rural populations, particularly in the context of healthcare access and aging populations.
“My goal is to bring attention to the transport challenges that rural communities face, contribute to data-driven transport policy recommendations, and foster interdisciplinary partnerships that bridge research and practice,” she said.
As a doctoral student, she views the appointment as a professional honor and a personal milestone. She expressed excitement about representing UIC at the national level and contributing as an emerging researcher in this space.
“Joining a TRB standing committee offers a great opportunity to engage with leading scholars and practitioners shaping national transportation policy. It validates my research on rural transit and non-emergency medical transportation and strengthens my commitment to public service through academic inquiry,” she said.
At UIC, Maryam is working under the direction of Professor Jane Lin in the SusTrans Lab, where she has been involved in a project funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation to understand the processes and barriers in non-emergency medical transportation services in rural Illinois.
“I have been particularly impressed with Maryam’s total commitment to and genuine passion for the research topic. She is like a sponge, hungrily absorbing new knowledge and learning new techniques for her research. Her true passion for the research and improving rural public transportation has driven her to high productivity, high demand for quality research, and wanting to learn more and do more. Working with her on the project has been a joy,” Lin said.