EDUCATION

2003 Ph.D. in Planning & Policy Development, Rutgers University

1996 Master in International Affairs, SIPA, Columbia University

1995 Master of Science in Urban Planning, GSAPP, Columbia University

1992 Undergraduate Studies in Spatial Planning, TU Dortmund, Germany

1990 Diploma in French Language & Cultural Studies, Sorbonne, Paris IV

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

5/2019 – Associate Professor / Director of Environmental Studies, SUA

8/2013 – 4/2019 Assistant Professor of Environmental Planning & Practice, SUA

10/2011 – 7/2013 German Research Foundation (DFG) International Fellow

10/2008 -10/2010 Director, DFG Noether Group on Urban Mega-Projects, TU Berlin

9/2007 – 9/2008 Senior Research Associate, Human Geography, FU Berlin

3/2005 – 8/2007 Post-Doctoral Fellow, Center for Metropolitan Studies, TU Berlin

11/2000 – 2/2005 Lecturer & Researcher, City and Regional Planning, TU Berlin

1998 – 2000 Instructor, Urban Studies & Community Health, Rutgers University

VISITING / ASSOCIATE APPOINTMENTS

1/2024 – 9/2024 Visiting Scholar, TU Dortmund, Urban Sociology Unit

1/2014 – 3/2017 Research Associate, Mineta Institute, San Jose State University

3/2009 – 7/2013 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Price School of Public Policy, USC

2/2004 – 10/2009 Adjunct Faculty, Urban Management Program, TU Berlin

3/2005 & 3-2007 Visiting Scholar, METRANS/SPPD, UCLA

3/2005 – 4/2005 Visiting Scholar, Luskin School of Public Policy, UCLA

9/2002 – 10/2002 Visiting Scholar, Faculty of Urbanism, Universidad de Buenos Aires

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE (Consulting, Policy Advocacy, NGO Work)

Oct. ’10-Oct. ‘11 International Gender Consultant, UN Habitat, Nairobi, Kenya

2003–2008 Board President (2003-08), ITDP EUROPE, Berlin

5/1996 – 11/2000 Director of Environmental Programs, ITDP, New York

4/1995 – 4/1996 Assistant Program Director, Central Europe, ITDP, New York

1998 – 1999 Consultant to the PREM Gender Unit, The World Bank

APPOINTMENTS TO INTERNATIONAL BOARDS & DELEGATIONS

2007–2010 Advisory Board, UN Research Network on Human Settlements

4/2001 National Delegate (Germany), U.N. CSD 9, New York

1996-2001 Northern Co-Chair, UN NGO Caucus on Sustainable Transportation

FELLOWSHIPS & AWARDS

Pacific Basin Research Center Faculty Fellowship, Soka University (2021-2022 & 2024-2025)
International Research Fellowship, German Research Foundation (DFG) (2011-2013)
German Research Foundation Emmy Noether Academic Excellency Fellowship (2008-2011)
Post-Doctoral Fellowship, German Research Foundation (DFG) (2005-2007)
Friedrich List Dissertation Award of the European Platform of Transport Sciences (2005)
Dissertation Fellowship for Research Abroad, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (Fall 2002)
Dissertation Fellowship, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (2000)
Fellow, Salzburg Seminar “The Entrepreneurial City” (June 2000)
Excellency Fellowship (declined), Full Tuition Remission, Rutgers University (1997-2000)

FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS & INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE INITIATIVES

Lead Applicant, Luis & Linda Nieves LC Grant (2019-2020) [$27,000] “Outdoor Education in Northern Europe.”
SUA Pacific Basin Research Center Individual Summer Research Grant (2017-2018) “A Critical Investigation into the Social & Environmental Benefits of the ‘Sharing Cities’ Approach: A Case Study of Hanoi.” [$4,000]
Research Associate, Mineta Transportation Institute Research Project “A Comparative Analysis of High Speed Rail Station Development into Destination and/or Multi-use Facilities” MTI 1502 (2015-2016) [$20,000]
Research Associate, Mineta Transportation Institute Research Project “Promoting Intermodal Connectivity at California’s High Speed Rail Stations” MTI 1209 (2013-2014) [$18,000]
Lead Applicant & Co-Chair (with Dr. Frank Roost), Foundation for German-American Academic Relations (SDAW) Transatlantic Study Group “Transatlantic Perspectives on the Re-Railed Metropolis: Comparing Prospects for New High-Speed Rail Hubs in the Rhein-Ruhr and LA Metro Regions” (2011-2013) [$18,000]
Lead Applicant/Principal Investigator/Director, German Research Foundation (DFG) Emmy Noether Academic Excellency Research Project “The Urban Renaissance Potential of Inner-City Rail Station Area Redevelopment Mega-Projects” [€487,808 total for 1^st phase of 36 months until 10/2011]
Lead Applicant, German Academic Exchange (DAAD) North America Office Group Study Visit to Berlin (March 2010) [€9,600 total in travel support for 15 USC graduate students and self]
“Rebuilding Berlin and Los Angeles – An Interactive Urban Planning Art Installation.” Together with James Rojas. Funded by the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation, Berlin (2009/2010) [€3,500]
Co-Applicant/German Team Member, International Research Project “Mega Urban Transport Projects: Lessons for Decision-Makers”, OMEGA Volvo Centre of Excellence in Future Urban Transport, Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (2007-2009) [German team: €167,000]
Lead Applicant, German Academic Exchange (DAAD) Group Study Visit to the Pearl River Delta, China (September 2008) [€9,600 total in travel support for 15 TU Berlin students and self]
Lead Applicant and Principal Investigator (with Dr. Walter Hook), German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) Helcom PITF Research Project #29825161 “Major Transportation Infrastructure Investment Decision-Making, and Its Impact on the Long-Term Sustainability of the Baltic Sea.” (1999-2000) [~US$ 100,000]