Research Assistant/Ph.D. candidate in Urban and Regional Science

Hometown: Chennai, India
Degrees: PhD Candidate, Urban and Regional Science, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, August 2006
Research interests: Pedestrian Built Environment and Health, Physical Planning and Urban Design, Built Form and Urban Transportation, Sustainable Community Development and Design, Non-motorized Vehicular and Transit Use, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Spatial Planning, GIS in Crime Mapping:
E-mail address: pmaghelah@tamu.edu

EDUCATION
Texas A&M University, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning
Ph.D. Urban and Regional Science. Advisor: Dr. Christopher Ellis .
Research Focus: This research analyzes the direct relationship between pedestrian communities and transit usage using objective measures of built-environment in GIS. Ordered Weighted Averaging method is used to simulate different scenarios of walking suitability around transit stations. The validity of the index is verified by multivariate analysis of ridership and urban form, built-environment, and socio-economic variables.
Dissertation Title: Healthy Transportation – Healthy Communities: Developing Pedestrian Suitability Index using GIS and Testing Significance of Pedestrian Variables on Choice of Transit as Mode of Travel

M.S. New Jersey Institute of Technology, School of Architecture
M.S. in Infrastructure Planning. May, 2002.

SRM Engineering College, School of Architecture
B.A. in Architecture. May, 2001.

Valliammai Polytechnic, Department of Civil Engineering
D.C.E. in Civil Engineering. May, 1996 (with Honors & Gold Medal).

ACADEMIC HONORS
Active Living Research Dissertation Grant, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, Department Head Honor Roll Award, 2005.
Valliammai Polytechnic, Gold Medalist, Diploma in Civil Engineering, 1996

FELLOWSHIPS
-Active Living Research Dissertation Grant, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Principal Investigator, 2005-06.
-Student Interdisciplinary Research Symposium, Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, President of URSSO, 2005-06 (Funded by Office of Graduate Studies, College of Architecture and Dept. of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning equally).
-Outstanding Achievement Award, Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, 2005.
-Student Research Week, Texas A&M University, Best Oral Presentation, 2005.
-LAUP Scholarship Award, Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, 2005-06.

ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE
Texas A&M University, Environmental Planning and Sustainability Research Unit, Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center
Research Assistant: Develop early warning system to identify the impact of land-use change around National Parks in San Antonio , TX. September 2006 – present.

Texas A&M University, Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center
Research Assistant: Sea-grant project to develop web-based service of coastal data, identify hotspots and provide real-time urban development impact scenarios for Galveston County , TX. September 2005 – present.

Texas A&M University, Spatial Sciences Laboratory
Research Assistant: Performed Statistical analysis for precipitation data from NEXRAD and Rain gauge data set; designed a new, dynamic and creative website for Spatial Sciences Laboratory. December 2003 – August 2004.

Texas A&M University, Texas Transportation Institute
Research Assistant: Conducted Parent Focus Group interviews and created simulated environments for testing pedestrian perception of safety . Worked on the report for South Western University Transportation Center (SWUTC). Created 3-D design proposal for Riverside Research Park Development at Texas A&M University. September 2002 – November 2003.

New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering
Research Assistant: Assisted for the research project: Exploring the scope of Carbon Fiber as reinforcement for damaged structures by preparing project reports and conducting experiments under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Hsu. December 2001 – July 2002.

New Jersey Institute of Technology, Port Authority of New York/New Jersey
Studio Design : Analyzed and proposed redevelopment for, “ Ironbound Bid Urban Design Project ”, an undertaking of The Port Authority of New York / New Jersey and sponsored by Ironbound Business District. September 2001 – May 2002.

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Vishwakarma Associates, Chennai , India
Principal/Associate Architect: Contemporary design of two three-bedroom residences and design of children's library for Alma Mater. 2000 – 01.

KSA Design Planning Services Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad , India
Intern Architect: Design and planning of university campus in Bangladesh and design and detailing of residences and retail showrooms in Ahmedabad. 1999.

SERVICE EXPERIENCE
Disaster Recovery & Redevelopment Student Research Symposium, Symposium Chair, Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Fall 2006.

Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP), Student Representative, 2004-06. 

College of Architecture Executive Committee (EXCOM), Graduate Student Representative, Texas A&M University , College Station , Fall 2005 – Present.

URSC Advisory Committee, Graduate Student Representative, Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, Fall 2005 – Present.

Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning Lecture Committee, URSSO Representative, Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, Fall 2005 – Spring 2006.

Department (LAUP) Student Representatives Committee , URSSO President, Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, Fall 2005 – Spring 2006.

Urban & Regional Sciences Student Organization (URSSO), President and Founder, Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, Fall 2005 – Spring 2006.

College of Architecture (CARC) Task Force, Graduate Student Representative, Texas A&M University, College Station, Oct 2004 – Spring 2006.

S.R.M. Architecture Association, Student President, S.R.M. Engineering College, Chennai, India, May 2000 – May 2001.

PAPERS
Maghelal P., Olivares, M., Gustavo, R., Wunneburger, D. Developing Critical Risk Zones and Sex Offenders in Brazos County . Urban and Regional Science Information System.

Naderi, JR., Kweon, BS., Maghelal, P. The Street Tree Effect and Driver Safety, ITE Journal.

Maghelal P. Assessing Student-Authored Articles in Planning: 1999-2003. Journal of Planning Education and Research. (In Process)

Maghelal P., Kweon BS., Naderi, JR. Developing Pedestrian Virtual Environment: Variables Discussed Vs. Variables Designed. Transportation Research C: Emerging Technologies. (In Process)

Maghelal P., Bakkayalaxmi, P., Narasimhan, B., Srinivasan, R. Performance Evaluation of RADAR Rainfall Data with Rain gauge Measurements in Texas Pan-Handle Region. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering-ASCE. (In Process)

Naderi, JR., Kweon, BS., Maghelal, P., and Shin, WH. Planning Transportation Corridors for commuting Children: An Experiment in Parent's Perception of Roadside Safety and Walkability, Landscape Journal. (In Process)

Maghelal, P. Does Urban-Form and Built-Environment Matter in Choice of Transit as Mode of Travel to work? Transportation Research Record. (In Preparation)

Maghelal, P. Gaps in Pedestrian-Environment Measures: A Review of Existing Indices. Journal of Public Health. (In Preparation)

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Maghelal, P. Measuring Suitability to Walk Around Stations. Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Annual Conference, Fort Worth , TX, November 2006. (Accepted)

Wunneburger, D., Olivares, M., and Maghelal, P. Quantifying Levels of Risk to Communities by Registered Sex Offenders as Determined by Legal Statute . Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Annual Conference, Fort Worth , TX, November 2006. (Accepted)

Olivares, M., and Maghelal, P. Promoting Sustainable Communities through a Spatial Crime Prevention Model . Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Annual Conference, Fort Worth , TX, November 2006. (Accepted)

Brody, S., Peacock, W., Wunneburger, D., Ndubisi, F., Martin, J., Maghelal, P., and Grover, H. (Oct 2006). Developing Coastal Communities Planning Atlas: An Education Tool for Decision Makers and Local Residents. Sea-Grant research presentation, Galveston , TX, October 2006.

Maghelal, P. Identifying Gaps in Measuring Pedestrian Built-environment: Review of Existing Indices . International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, Atlanta , GA, April 2006.

Maghelal, P. Active Living Dissertation Grant Recipient Research Presentation. Invited Presentation during the Annual Active Living Research Conference, San Diego, CA, February 2006. (Invited)

Rosenblatt Naderi, J., Kweon, B., Maghelal, P . (Presenter), and Shin, W. Planning Transportation Corridors for Commuting Children: An Experiment in Parent's Perception of Roadside Safety and Walkability , Transportation Research Board 2006 Annual Meeting, Washington DC., January 2006.

Rosenblatt Naderi, J., Kweon, B., and Maghelal, P. (Presenter) Simulating impacts of curb-side trees on driver performance and perceptions, Transportation Research Board 2006 Annual Meeting, Washington DC., January 2006.

Olivares, M and Maghelal, P. Risk Management Strategies in reducing Sex Crimes: A Case-study of Brazos County , The Pathways to Doctoral Research, Kingsville, TX, October 2005. (Awarded 1 st Place )

Kweon, B., Rosenblatt Naderi, J., Maghelal, P ., and Shin, W. Pedestrian environments and children's commute to school: Parent's decision making path to let children walk and bike to school, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO, October 2005.

Maghelal, P., Kweon, B., and Rosenblatt Naderi, J. Virtual Pedestrian Environment: Variables Discussed Vs. Variable Designed , Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Annual Conference, Kansas City , MO, October 2005.

Olivares, M and Maghelal, P. Sex Offenders and Critical Risk Zones, The 8 th Annual Crime Mapping Research Conference, Savannah, GA, September 2005.

Maghelal, P., and Olivares, M. Critical Risk Zones: Violators of Megan's Law . 25 th ESRI International User Conference, San Francisco, CA, July 2005.

Rosenblatt Naderi, J. Kweon, B., Maghelal P ., Shin, W. Planning Transportation Corridors for Walking: An experiment in parent's perceptions, special session on planning and health , American Planning Association, San Francisco, CA, March 2005.

Maghelal, P. Tracking Sex Offenders in the Twin Cities of Bryan/College Station , Student Research Week, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, March 2005. (Awarded 1 st Place )

Maghelal, P. Why Transit Exists Where It Does? Role of Population and Income on Transit Choice , 41 st International Making Cities Livable Conference, Carmel , CA, Februaruy 2005.

Maghelal, P., and Olivares, M. Mapping Sexual Offenders in Brazos County , Invited presentation to officials of City of Bryan and City of College Station, TX, January 2005.

Rosenblatt Naderi, J., Maghelal, P. Paper presented at The 5th International Conference on Walking in 21st Century: Copenhagen , Denmark, June 2004.

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Maghelal, P. Identifying Gaps in Measuring Pedestrian Built-environment: Review of Existing Indices . International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, April 2006, Atlanta , GA.

Olivares, M and Maghelal, P. Sex Offenders and Critical Risk Zones. Proceedings of the 8 th Annual Crime Mapping Research, September 2005, Conference, Savannah.

Maghelal, P., and Olivares, M. Critical Risk Zones: Violators of Megan's Law . Proceedings of the 25th ESRI International User Conference, July 2005, San Francisco , California.

Maghelal, P. Why Transit Exists Where It Does? Role of Population and Income on Transit Choice , Proceedings of the 41 st International Making Cities Livable Conference, February 2005, Carmel, California.

REPORTS
Kweon, B.S., Naderi, R. J., Maghelal, P ., and Shin, W.H. (April 2004). Correlates of Environmental Constructs and Perceived Safety Enhancements in Pedestrian Corridors Adjacent to Urban Street. Transportation Research Report No SWUTC/04/167722-1.

Sollohub, D., Maghelal, P ., et al. (2002). Ironbound Research Project. Report prepared by National Center for Transportation and Industrial Productivity. Submitted to U.S. Department Of Transportation, Washington DC.

Maghelal, P. Student Network: Phd-Bowling-League Report submitted to Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) during the 2005 ACSP Annual Conference, Kansas City , MO.

Maghelal, P. Planning Student Exchange Program (PSEP) Report submitted to the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) during the 2005 ACSP Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO.

Ellis CD (Chair), Sharkawy A, Eldin N, Geva A, Tabb P, Ndubisi F, Craig J, Shepley M, Maghelal P , Akin S, Parlett J, Behm M, McPherson PT. College of Architecture Task Force to Redesign Teaching/Course Evaluation Forms submitted to the College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.