Dr. Mansoureh Jeihani
Director
Dr. Mansoureh Jeihani is a professor and the director of the National Transportation Center at Morgan State University and the Safety & Mobility Advancement Regional Transportation and Economics Research (SMARTER) Center, a USDOT Regional University Transportation Center. She has a multidisciplinary background in Civil Engineering and Transportation Systems, Economics, and Computer Engineering. Dr. Jeihani has over 20 years of experience in applied research in traveler behavior, ITS, CAV, and traffic safety. She has published two books and over 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and technical reports.
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Dr. Jeihani has also been the PI/Co-PI for over 60 research grants funded by federal or state agencies totaling over $30M. Dr. Jeihani is the chair of Maryland Attainment Report Advisory Committee; the chair of the Maryland Connected & Automated Vehicles Technical Subgroup; an executive member of the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC); a member of the Transportation Research Board (TRB)- Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing Applications committee, Maryland Quality Initiative (MDQI) and DC Quality Initiative (DCQI) Innovations Subcommittee, Maryland Connected & Automated Vehicles Working Group, National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Panel, and Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP) Panel. Dr. Jeihani was on the Safety panel of the White House ARPA-I Summit in June 2023.
Christol Medley
Program Coordinator
Christol Medley is the Program Coordinator for the National Transportation Center at Morgan State University and the SMARTER Center. She is known for her expertise in project management and program development, which are essential for the center’s mission to improve transportation infrastructure and services. Christol Medley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human and Social Resources from Sojourner-Douglass College. Her educational background equips her with a deep understanding of human services and resource management, which she applies to her role in managing and coordinating transportation projects.
Anita Jones
Budget Officer
Ms. Anita Jones has a diverse background in finance and administration. She currently serves as the Budget Officer at the National transportation Center and the SMARTER Center, managing a five-year USDOT grant award totaling $15 million in addition to other state-funded grants. Her other financial duties include monitoring budgets, invoicing, procuring materials and supplies. Anita’s administrative tasks range from human resource management and contract preparation to liaising between students, vendors, and researchers.
Mansha Swami
Research Engineer
Dr. Mansha Swami is a Transportation Engineering professional with 14 years of experience as a consultant, researcher, and academic. She currently serves as a Research Engineer at the National Transportation Center in Morgan State University and the SMARTER Center in Baltimore, Maryland. She is also Chair of the Baltimore chapter of Young Professionals in Transportation. She works in the areas of Urban Multimodal Mobility, Active Transportation, Travel Behavior, Transit Evaluation and Road Safety. She is working on several research projects with the Maryland Department of Transportation.
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She was previously a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in Arlington, Texas. She pursued her PhD. in Transportation Planning & Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology in Roorkee, India.
Ms. Swami is a certified Road Safety Auditor for Government of India. She has been an advisor to various government, semi-government and private organizations in transportation planning, urban multimodal transport, traffic, road safety, and the highway sector in India.
Joe Niehaus
Editor & Communications Manager
Joe Niehaus is a writer, editor, and digital media specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland. With experience in academic, nonprofit, and government sectors, Joe has developed a unique ability to evaluate complex topics in clear, concise language. As the Editor and Communications Manager of the SMARTER Center, he translates technological insights from our talented team of engineers into accessible, actionable knowledge for partners in industry and government. His diverse skillset in written content creation, design, video, and audio production places him at a critical nexus between research and policy.
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Joe’s expertise lies at the intersection of political economy, economic development, and human-environment interactions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and geography from Towson University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Applied Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Ehsan Mehryaar
Data Scientist
Dr. Ehsan Mehryaar is a Data Scientist at the National Transportation Center at Morgan State University, with expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and intelligent transportation systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Dr. Mehryaar’s research spans a wide range of applications, including federated learning for cybersecurity, real-time object detection using LiDAR, and AI-driven solutions for tunnel construction management. He has developed advanced tools for vehicle detection and cybersecurity threat analysis.
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He is passionate about applying machine learning to real-world challenges in mobility, safety, and infrastructure, and continues to collaborate on innovative projects with state transportation agencies and academic institutions.
Daeyeol Chang
Postdoctoral Researcher
With over a decade of experience as both a researcher and academic, Daeyeol Chang brings a unique blend of expertise in data analytics, traffic simulation, and visualization to address complex challenges in transportation planning and operations. He has contributed to numerous projects involving traffic simulation, evacuation modeling, driving simulators, and a wide range of advanced software tools. His work is driven by a commitment to improving transportation safety and efficiency, consistently delivering actionable insights and practical solutions for the advancement of the field.
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He earned his Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he also served as a Postdoctoral Fellow before joining the SMARTER Center. He is currently working on several research projects funded by federal and state agencies.
Lulu Jiang
Program Administrator
Lulu Jiang is a Program Administrator at the National Transportation Center and the SMARTER Center at Morgan State University. She oversees project budgets, reporting, and timelines to ensure smooth operations and compliance with university and federal guidelines. Her expertise includes coordinating collaboration among faculty, researchers, and external partners, as well as supporting grant management and proposal development. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration, which has equipped her with a deep understanding of organizational leadership, strategic planning, and effective communication.
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Lulu is committed to advancing the missions of the SMARTER Center by streamlining administrative processes and contributing to impactful, community-focused transportation research initiatives.