Benjamin Atsem Wins Prestigious Fellowship, Again

George Mason University doctoral candidate

Benjamin Atsem’s passion is to make an impact in transportation engineering. His drive has led him to win the U.S. Department of Transportation Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program award not once, but twice

“When you have a passion to do something, you put in all your best to reflect in your work quality and commitment,” says Atsem, who won the fellowship award for the first time in 2018. “I feel humbled by the award, which challenges me to work harder than before.”

Through the fellowship award, Atsem received a grant of $35,500 towards completing his dissertation work. His research focuses on environmental justice and economic equity issues regarding emerging modes of transportation, such as micromobility, which includes lightweight and smaller vehicles, bicycles, and scooters.

Atsem works closely with Professor Mohan Venigalla in George Mason’s Department of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering.

“I feel proud working with Professor Venigalla through my research to make sure bikeshare and scooter share systems have equal spread and access in all major urbanized communities, especially in underserved communities,” says Atsem. “Receiving this [award] has given me the launch pad to succeed in my educational and professional career.”

The Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program awards students pursuing degrees in transportation-related disciplines. The program aims to attract and retain the nation’s brightest minds to the field of transportation, particularly encouraging future transportation professionals to seek advanced degrees.

The Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program Grant is the highest honor I have received in my entire academic life,” says Atsem. “I thank Professor Venigalla for his unwavering support without which this would not have been possible. This grant fellowship has encouraged me to work harder and learn more and appreciate how valuable it is to work with top researchers at Mason and other industry players. g

In the remote hamlet of San Pablo de Amali in Ecuador, access to clean water is challenging due to various political and environmental issues. Without this vital access, the rural community’s farming and everyday life are under threat of drying up.

But with the help of Engineers for International Development at George Mason (EfID-GMU), a water distribution project is in place for San Pablo de Amali residents to get the water they need.

“With COVID-19 it was difficult to travel to Ecuador during 2020 and 2021,” says civil engineering student Camille Fulton, president of EfID-GMU. “In 2023 we have plans to return to San Pablo de Amali for phase three of the water distribution project.”

The EfID-GMU group has a great connection with the San Pablo de Amali community, which has about 200 people, according to Fulton. In preparation for travel, the group will work to buy and secure the necessary equipment and take stock of any vaccines or travel documents they may require as well as any travel restrictions they may face.

During their weeklong stay, the group will focus on meeting with the community and local water board, doing water pressure checks within homes, conducting safe water information sessions for the community, and gathering general data to see what needs to be done for their next trip during the summer.