Pasi Lautala
Team Leader
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Dr. Lautala is the Principal Investigator for several rail- related research projects in various topics. He is also the Secretary of ASCE Rail Transportation Committee, University Subcommittee Chair for AREMA Education and Training Committee and member of TRB AR040, Rail Freight Transportation Committee.
Scott Bershing
Team Leader
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Scott Bershing has worked in technical communications with an emphasis on web technologies for almost 20 years. He has a Bachelor of Science from Michigan Technological University in Scientific and Technical Communication.
He began working at Michigan Tech in 1997 in the Local Technical Assistance Program and was involved with website development, software development, software documentation, electronic document conversion, publication development, software training, as well as other related project activities. In 2002 he began working in the Administrative Information Services department at Michigan Tech and his primary responsibility was developing and maintaining a web portal used by the Admissions Department for recruiting and retaining potential students. He then transitioned to the University Marketing and Communications department and in addition to his portal duties, he also was involved with developing and maintaining the university's web presence. In 2007 he began working for the Tribal Technical Assistance program and has been responsible for developing and maintaining the TTAP website, database, online meeting technologies, program publications and communications, and numerous special projects related to online development and electronic delivery of information.
He is currently serving on the Federal Highway Administration Ad-Hoc Technology Transfer Workgroup and the National LTAP/TTAP Association Professional Development Committee.
John Velat
Team Leader
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John Velat is the director of the Tribal Technical Assistance Program at Michigan Tech. His duties as director include providing overall program management and oversight, training, technical assistance, program evaluation and reporting, and national effort involvement. His prior experience with the TTAP and LTAP programs included working as a technical communicator focusing on printed and electronic publications, website design and content creation, software documentation development, and workshop and conference planning and facilitation.
In 2008-09, he was the director of Information Services (IS) for Northland Pioneer College in Holbrook, Arizona where he managed and directed all IS efforts for the university. These duties included overseeing the IS budget, computer and telecommunications purchases, and contracts with various service providers. He also led information services and distance education infrastructure development, management, and support.
He is currently serving as a Michigan Technological University Senator, is serving on the National Local Technical Assistance Program Association Executive Committee, and is a member of the FHWA Strategic Planning Committee for LTAP/TTAP . He completed the NHI Instructor Development Course in 2011.
Mr. Velat has a B.A. in Scientific and Technical Communication and a M.S. in Rhetoric and Technical Communication from Michigan Technological University.
Christoforo DelReal
Web Developer, Content Development and Implementation
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Chris DelReal is a 2010 graduate of Michigan Technological University's Computer Networking and System Administration degree. He now works with Michigan Tech's Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) as a web designer, database administrator and codemonkey as part of the team developing the High Speed Rail Learning System.
This project is of special interest for him as it combines his interests in data storage and manipulation, web development, and new technologies with education in general and specifically eLearning.
Hamed Pouryousef
Subject Matter Expert, Content Development
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Hamed Pouryousef is Grad student in Michigan Technological University pursuing his Ph.D. in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department under the supervision of Dr. Pasi Lautala. Hamed graduated with a Bachelor degree in Railroad Engineering from the Iran University of Science and Technology in 2001. Then he joined Metra Consultant Engineers, affiliated to the Iran Department of Transportation where he was involved in several rail and transportation projects for eight years (2008), including Tehran-Isfahan high speed rail design
After graduation with a Masters degree from MIT-Portugal program in Lisbon (2010), Hamed moved to Michigan Tech in the spring of 2010. He currently focuses on the capacity analysis through the shared-use corridors as the PhD research topic, in addition to providing the contents of "HSR 101" modules through HSRLS portal.
Han Cheng
Content Development
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Thomas Freeman
Instructional Design, Content Development
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Tom Freeman is an instructional designer at Michigan Tech. He specializes in the design, development and improvement of online learning courses and provides instructional design services for teaching and learning online. As part of his duties he also provides advanced support for the Canvas Learning Management System and assists with the development and improvement of online learning degree and certificate programs. He has a MA - Education from The George Washington University.
Peter Haas
Assessment Lead
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Dr. Peter Haas is Education Director at the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University. He has authored numerous reports and other publications covering transportation and is co-author of the text Applied Policy Research: Concepts and Cases. He directs MTI’s Master of Science in Transportation Management program, a fully accredited 30-unit course taught by two-way teleconference around the state of California.
For HSRLS, Dr. Haas has been responsible for development of assessments and for investigating demands for HSR workforce.