Dr. Karen Philbrick, Executive Director Mineta Transportation Institute
When
Abstract: Dr. Philbrick will discuss the workforce shortage in addition to improving the mobility of people and goods through surface transportation research, education, workforce development, and technology transfer.
Biography: Dr. Philbrick is the executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San José State University, a position she has held since 2014. Before joining MTI, Dr. Philbrick shaped the transportation field in various roles, including as assistant director of the National Center for Intermodal Transportation at the University of Denver. She has been appointed four times by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation (Secretaries LaHood, Foxx, Chao, and most recently Buttigieg) to sit on the USDOT Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS) where she chaired the FTA Administrator’s Tasking 14-02 which identified key elements of a safety management system approach to fatigue management.
Long committed to the USDOT University Transportation Center program, she was elected to serve the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) in several roles, including President in 2018-19. Dr. Philbrick also has the privilege of serving as the President of the Research and Education Division (RED) of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), where she also sits on the ARTBA Board of Directors and Executive Committee. With an eye toward seamless and equitable transportation for all, Karen also serves the industry through elected positions on the boards of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC), and NASA's Academic Mission Services Science and Technology Council. She was an appointed research advisor to the APTA Mobility Recovery and Restoration Task Force.
Dr. Philbrick holds a Ph.D. from the University of Denver and an MA and EdM from Columbia University. She earned her undergraduate degree from California State University, Fresno.