Attended a two-day conference with DOTs, industry leaders, and researchers on the future of autonomous trucking. Gained insights into applications in agriculture, energy, and logistics, and learned from panels with Aurora Tech, Bot Auto, MITRE, and others. Represented the UND ITE Student Chapter and connected with transportation professionals to promote chapter activities.

As Secretary, I helped organize and coordinate the launch of the ITE UND Student Chapter. The event introduced students and faculty to the mission of ITE and the opportunities it offers. Our advisor delivered the opening speech, outlining career paths in transportation, professional development resources, competitions, scholarships, and leadership opportunities. The launch created a platform for students to learn how the chapter operates, how they can get involved, and how ITE membership connects them with industry professionals and academic networks.

Attended the Student Involvement Fair to represent and introduce the ITE UND Student Chapter to new and returning students. Shared information about the chapter’s purpose, how it works, and the benefits of joining, including technical sessions, trainings, leadership activities, and regular engagement with industry professionals.

Participated in a statewide conference with more than 980 professionals from government, academia, and industry. Attended sessions on transportation strategies, emerging technologies, and infrastructure innovation. Represented UND through an outreach program by sharing research posters, highlighting Civil Engineering Department initiatives, and engaging with professionals, prospective students, and their families.

Represented the Civil Engineering Department at a university-wide outreach event. Engaged with prospective students and their families, shared information about academic programs and research opportunities, and promoted department activities.

Served as a judge at the statewide science and engineering fair, evaluating innovative research projects from high school students across North Dakota. Provided constructive feedback to participants, encouraged their interest in STEM fields, and contributed to the selection of award winners. This role allowed me to support young researchers while engaging in community outreach and promoting STEM education.

Presented a policy-focused poster titled “A Review of U.S. State Legislation of CAV Testing and Operations: Challenges and Opportunities.” The study examined legislative variations across all 50 states, identifying challenges in liability, cybersecurity, and infrastructure, while highlighting opportunities for harmonized policies and innovation-driven deployment. Under the supervision of Dr. Sherif Gaweesh, our research group secured 2nd place at the event.

Visited the Traffic Management Center to observe real-time operations of smart signal systems, vehicle detection, and emergency response integration. Gained hands-on exposure to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications for improving traffic flow, incident response, and roadway safety, while learning about signal timing optimization and data-driven network performance.

Volunteered at the statewide LEGO League Robotics Competition, assisting with event coordination and supporting student teams during robotics challenges. Promoted STEM education by encouraging creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving among participants, while contributing to a positive and engaging competition environment.

I had an enriching experience attending the Autonomous Trucking in North Dakota Conference, where I engaged with industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the future of autonomous transportation. The conference featured insightful sessions on autonomous trucking, infrastructure planning, cybersecurity, and agricultural logistics, providing a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges in this evolving field. I also participated in discussions on safety planning, regulatory considerations, and the implementation of autonomous trucking in rural areas, contributing my perspectives on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) and their impact on transportation systems. This event was an excellent platform for networking, exchanging ideas, and gaining valuable insights that will support my ongoing research and academic endeavors.