Samrat Chatterjee(expects to obtain Ph.D. August 2009)

Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering 

Program: Transportation Engineering 

Expected graduation date & degree: August 2009, Ph.D. 

Hometown: New Delhi, India 

Undergraduate degree from: Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India 

Research Area: My research involves the development of a comprehensive transportation risk management approach. It includes the development of an All-Hazards Risk Management Information System (AHRMIS) and an all-hazards risk assessment methodology. 

Outside interests/activities: Tennis, Adventure water sports, Ballroom dancing, Pencil sketching. 

Why Vanderbilt: Since I came in with a Masters degree, Vanderbilt provided a research and academic setting where I could focus right away on research projects and study areas related to my interests. The low student-faculty ratio in the graduate programs ensures close interaction with faculty, which is critical at the graduate level. 

Likes best about Vanderbilt Engineering: The ease of accessibility to faculty and the opportunity to share ideas in a rich knowledge pool comprised of faculty members and students.