Melissa Noggle Walden, Ph.D., P.E.

Walden, Melissa

Senior Research Scientist

Planning & Evaluation Group - Gilchrist, Room 228
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
The Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 845-8514 Ext. 58514 · fax (979) 845-4872
mwalden@tamu.edu

Short Biography

Dr. Melissa Walden has 12 years of relevant experience in traffic safety research, education/training, program development, management and evaluation specifically in the behavioral areas as well as Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) development/implementation at the state level. She has served in program management roles at the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) working with sponsors such as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP).

Melissa is currently the program manager for the Planning and Evaluation Group in TTI?s Center for Transportation Safety. She is responsible for the development and maintenance of the Texas SHSP on behalf of TxDOT. Additionally, she provides technical assistance to the state for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program along with managing traffic safety projects addressing issues related to impaired driving, data analysis, law enforcement and project management. Melissa?s research sponsors include state DOTs, NCHRP, NHTSA, and private sponsors such as 3M Corporation.

Melissa was the Co-PI for NCHRP?s 20-63 Project: Performance Measurement Tool Box and Reporting System for Research Programs and Projects. She has also served as the PI for an IDIQ with NHTSA?s Behavioral Research Group. Melissa has recently worked on analyzing law enforcment and impaired driving processes and policies to identify strengths and areas for improvement as well as curriumlum development, training deployment, and evaluation related to impaired driving enforcement, program management for traffic safety professionals, and performance measurement in transportation research. Additionally, she has worked with state agencies and non-profit organzations to assess the effectiveness of the state?s impaired driving countermeasures program through an internal assessment process to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Education

  • Ph.D., Educational Administration, Texas A & M University.
  • M.S., Educational Administration, Texas A&M University.
  • A.S., Engineering Sciences, Community College of Allegheny County - Boyce Campus, Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
  • B.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama.

Experience

  • Senior Research Scientist, Planning & Evaluation Group, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, September 2011 - Present.
  • Research Scientist, Planning/Evaluation Group, Texas Transportation Institute, October 2006 - July 2012.
  • Associate Research Scientist, Policy Initiatives and Analysis Group, Texas Transportation Institute, October 2004 - August 2006.
  • Research Specialist, Policy Initiatives and Analysis Group, Texas Transportation Institute, December 2002 - September 2004.
  • Program Manager, Technology & Economic Development Division, Texas Engineering Extension Service, September 2002 - December 2002.
  • Interim Division Head/Program Manager, Law Enforcement and Security Training Division, Texas Engineering Extension Service, August 2000 - September 2002.
  • Regional Director/Program Manager, Technology & Economic Development Division, Texas Engineering Extension Service, May 1999 - August 2000.
  • Program Coordinator /Field Engineer, Technology & Economic Development Division, Texas Engineering Extension Service, September 1996 - April 1999.
  • Project Manager III/Field Engineer, Technology & Economic Development Division, Texas Engineering Extension Service, October 1995 - September 1996.
  • Manager of Process and Industrial Engineering, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, College Station, Texas, September 1992 - October 1995.
  • Quality Assurance Engineer/Industrial Engineer, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, College Station, Texas, December 1987 - August 1991.
  • Industrial Engineer, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, College Station, Texas, July 1986 - December 1987.

Professional Registration

Registered Professional Engineer in Texas.

Affiliations

  • Past Member, TAMU Department of Engineering Technology Industrial Advisory Board.
  • Past President, Institute of Industrial Engineers.
  • Past Member, TAMU Program for Automation in Manufacturing.
  • Past Mentor, Elementary School Mentor for Math/Science.
  • Past Mentor, Discover "E" Program, Westinghouse's School Outreach Program for the Promotion of Engineering.
  • Past Member, Brazos Valley Business and Technology Expo.
  • Past Member, Brazos Valley Technology Alliance.
  • Past Member, University of Alabama Alumni Association.
  • Past President, Delta Zeta Alumni Association.
  • Member, Buckle-Up Texas Statewide Steering Committee.
  • Member, Texas State Alcohol Forum Steering Committee.
  • Member, Texas Impaired Driving Training Advisory Board.
  • Member, Governor's Office of Budget, Planning, and Policy Electronic Grant Technical Assistance Workgroup.