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April 2021: Myra Blanco

Myra Blanco

Director, Advancement, Partnership & Outreach
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

PhD, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Virginia
MS, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Virginia
BA, Industrial Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Email mblanco@vt.edu

Can you summarize your work briefly?
What I do for VTTI is to ensure that I can provide opportunities to researchers and students to implement our mission, which is to “save lives, save time, save money, and protect the environment.” Basically, I am an enabler who gets to meet wonderful people and put energy into developing partnerships between researchers, industry, government, and other stakeholders depending on the area of interest.

How do you see your work contributing to the goals and vision of IIHCC?
One of the important things that I like to stress is that IIHCC is Intelligent Infrastructure for Human Centered Communities. That “for” is very important and is the key to what we are doing. The DA is not intelligent infrastructure or sensors or new technology for technology’s sake. It serves to assist humans in terms of quality of life, efficiency, and everything revolving around how we make processes and quality of life better for humankind. It is so important that we develop a transportation system that is equitable, and that we develop new technologies and new transportation methods that everybody can take advantage of and use. Those of us with the privilege of driving need to remember that it is not only about us, that it is about all people who want to have the ability to move around.

What other areas outside of your discipline would you consider for future research and proposal work?
One of the things that I am more excited about is the aspect of equity. I think that is so important. We are often more focused on the technology and the excitement that comes with something new. What we need to do is start using the intelligent part of the infrastructure and the technology to ensure that things are designed, developed, and implemented not for only early adopters or those who might be able to afford it but, in the long term, that we are approaching all levels and groups within the community. Another key initiative VTTI is leading is called Intern Hub, which is a program with students in mind. There is a lot of amazing research that happens at VTTI, with tremendous amounts of people looking at various types of new inventions, new developments, and other ways to help industry. Now, we are focusing resources into ensuring that the most exciting internship possibilities can happen in Blacksburg so that students do not have to leave their classes behind to be exposed to great industry programs.