May 28, 2025
Alabama Transportation Institute
Autonomous and Connected Transportation (ACT) REU
Executive Summary
The Alabama Transportation Institute, in collaboration with the UA Graduate School, has launched its inaugural Autonomous and Connected Transportation (ACT) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. This summer initiative immerses three selected undergraduate students in graduate-level research, professional development, and campus life at The University of Alabama.
Participants are paired with faculty mentors on projects ranging from rural health service access and international fieldwork, to transportation cybersecurity and human behavior in driving. This hands-on experience not only supports UA’s world-class research but also prepares students for advanced academic and professional careers in transportation and related fields.
Autonomous and Connected Transportation (ACT) REU
The Alabama Transportation Institute has launched its inaugural REU program in collaboration with the UA Graduate School. The three undergraduate students accepted in the inaugural class will spend the summer supporting diverse research across UA campus, participate in professional development workshops, and experience life on campus as a graduate student.
The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program pairs juniors and seniors with a faculty advisor for a summer-long internship conducting graduate-level research at The University of Alabama. Students learn what it means to be a graduate student at UA, and support worldclass research initiatives.
Claire Kennedy is working with Dr. Kevin Curtin in the Geography Department on solutions to health service access in rural communities. She will have the opportunity to travel to Thailand this summer to support a grant-funded rural research project there.
Samiha Binta Sorrower is working with Dr. Mizan Rahman on transportation cybersecurity, analyzing cyber vulnerabilities, generating attack data, developing and testing detection strategies, and exploring attack mitigation techniques.
Ava Imel will be working with Dr. Despina Stavrinos in the TRIP Lab exploring the psychological impact of cognitive load, decision-making, and trust on driving behaviors in complex driving situations using a state-of-the-art driving simulator.
We are immensely proud of these students, and of the cutting-edge research being conducted by the ATI-affiliated faculty.
ATI News, College of Engineering