Sharika Hegde Receives Outstanding Student of the Year Award (SOYA) for 2025
Every year, each USDOT-funded University Transportation Center (UTC) selects a Student of the Year which is awarded at the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) banquet in January. Selected students receive flight and hotel accommodations in D.C., as well as a registration to the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting. This year, the Center for Connected and Automated Transportation has nominated Sharika Hegde, a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in Transportation Systems at Northwestern University. Sharika is advised by Professor Hani Mahmassani. She joined the program following her degrees in Civil Engineering and Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University. She has worked on the following CCAT-funded projects:
- Meeting the Dual Aspirations of Flow Efficiency and Equity in Urban Traffic in Connected Sustainable Cities: A Systematic, Coherent Approach
- Making CAV Deployments Compatible with Complete Streets Objectives
She met with CCAT Communications Director, Calvin Tuttle, to discuss her research and nomination.
Calvin: Can you tell us about your research here at Northwestern University?
Sharika: My research at Northwestern focuses on how emerging technologies, such as automated vehicles, interact with pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users in shared spaces. I examine both network-level issues, such as routing and matching algorithms for shared mobility services under congestion, as well as street-level dynamics, using data-driven models and simulations. This research aims to identify areas of opportunity to optimize traffic flow, improve safety, and guide the design of infrastructure that accommodates all road users, both traditional and automated, in future urban environments.
Calvin: Where did you grow up?
Sharika: I grew up in Irvine, California—definitely quite different from Chicago’s snowy winters!
Calvin: Do you have any hobbies outside of transportation research?
Sharika: Outside of transportation research, I love exploring Chicago’s amazing restaurant scene and trying out new spots. I also enjoy getting creative with DIY crafts and renovation projects—they’re such a fun way to unwind and make something unique!
Calvin: Is there a single moment that led you on the path to transportation engineering?
Sharika: There wasn’t a single moment, but I’ve always been fascinated by the potential to improve how people move. Transportation engineering offers so many opportunities to shape the future of mobility, especially with emerging technologies that can make our systems safer, more efficient, and more accessible.
Calvin: What role are you currently playing in CCAT research?
Sharika: In my current research for CCAT, I’m focused on creating simulation tools that help guide infrastructure planning to support emerging technologies, such as automated vehicles. These simulations explore how transportation systems and infrastructure in cities need to evolve to accommodate innovations like self-driving cars, micromobility, and smart traffic management.
Calvin: What activities are you currently participating in that advance CCAT’s efforts in education, outreach, training, and workforce development?
Sharika: While I’m not directly involved in outreach, my work supports CCAT’s efforts by creating accessible tools for planners and advancing the understanding of infrastructure needed for emerging technologies. These tools help inform educational programs and prepares future professionals to address evolving transportation challenges.
Calvin: What accomplishment from the past year are you most proud of?
Sharika: I’m most proud of the simulation tools I’ve developed over the past year, which has earned me this recognition as CCAT’s Student of the Year! The process involved overcoming algorithmic challenges to ensure the tools are both fast and efficient while accurately capturing the physics and dynamics of transportation systems.
Calvin: What plans do you have after finishing your Ph.D.?
Sharika: After finishing my Ph.D., I plan to apply the skills I’ve developed through my research to help shape the future of transportation systems. Whether it’s improving infrastructure, integrating emerging technologies, or finding innovative solutions to mobility challenges, I aim to contribute to making transportation safer, more efficient, and sustainable.
Calvin: Do you have any advice for students who are entering the program and working with University Transportation Centers (UTC) such as CCAT?
Sharika: I would encourage students to stay focused and have confidence in themselves, especially when things don’t seem to be coming together. You were accepted into the program because you have the ability to succeed, even if the path forward isn’t always clear. Keep pushing forward, and trust that with time and effort, the pieces will start to fall into place!