Alasdair Cain
Officials from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Research Institute today announced that Alasdair Cain, director of Research, Development and Technology Coordination for the U.S. Department of Transportation, will deliver the keynote address at Chattanooga Connect 2024, Oct. 21-23 at UTC’s University Center.
Officials said, "Mr. Cain oversees the USDOT’s $1 billion annual research portfolio, ensuring that research and development efforts across the department’s nine operating administrations are effectively coordinated.
His leadership is key in facilitating collaboration among federal agencies, the private sector, and international stakeholders to drive innovation in transportation. This includes aligning the USDOT’s research activities with emerging global transportation trends and ensuring that the department’s efforts support U.S. leadership in areas like connected and automated vehicle technologies, AI, and intelligent infrastructure.
"With a background in public transportation research, Mr. Cain has worked on mitigating traffic congestion, evaluating bus rapid transit systems, and enhancing public engagement through market research. Before joining the USDOT, he held leadership roles in academic institutions both in the U.S. and the U.K., where he specialized in international research collaboration."
“Chattanooga Connect 2024 is going to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of transportation innovation in America, and having someone of Alasdair Cain’s stature certainly underscores that,” said Dr. Mina Sartipi, the director of the UTC Research Institute and CUIP. “Cutting-edge conversations about evolutions in smart tech and urban mobility are happening on UTC’s campus and throughout Chattanooga everyday. We look forward to welcoming Alasdair and so many global leaders to town for this event.”
As previously announced, Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for the National Science Foundation's newly established Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate, will provide the conference’s lunch keynote address on Oct. 23.
"Mr. Gianchandani and Mr. Cain join a distinguished and growing roster of subject matter experts across fields of transportation policy, intelligent infrastructure, AI and mobility technology," officials said.
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