• September 25, 2024

    Meet 2024-2025 PacTrans Fellow: Laura Baddeley

    Today we’re spotlighting one of our upcoming 2024-2025 PacTrans Graduate Fellows, Laura Baddeley.

    What is your current job title and organization?
    I am working as a traffic designer at DOWL in Spokane, Washington.

    What’s your favorite college memory?
    My favorite college experience would have to be the time I spent studying abroad in Florence, Italy. There isn’t a specific memory that stands out, but I just enjoyed being present in the city and experiencing the art, culture, food, and overall beauty of the area. It was also really interesting to see a different approach to transportation. I loved that the heart of the city was built around walking and biking rather than cars.

    What’s your career path been like?
    I am currently working in the field of traffic engineering, and I am planning to continue on a similar path. I am especially interested in multimodal transportation.

    What’s your greatest professional accomplishment?
    As an EIT I am still early in my career, but I think it’s pretty cool to say that I’ve worked on multiple aspects of the North Spokane Corridor, one of Spokane’s biggest transportation projects which has been anticipated for over 50 years.

    How has PacTrans benefitted you?
    I am grateful to PacTrans for enabling me to focus on my academics without having to worry about loans. I am looking forward to learning more about the world of transportation engineering through PacTrans and UW!

    What are some hobbies or interests you have?
    My favorite hobby is dancing vintage swing dances such as Lindy Hop and Charleston. I sometimes volunteer as a dance teacher or perform at local events. I also enjoy playing piano and traveling. A fun fact about me is that I have color-grapheme synesthesia, which means that I associate letters and numbers with specific colors. I have experienced this for as long as I can remember.

    Want to know more about Laura? Connect with her on LinkedIn!

    About the PacTrans Graduate Fellowship

    The PacTrans Fellowship is focused on students interested in pursuing a master’s degree and with aspirations of being industry leaders in the transportation field. In addition to receiving a quality education, PacTrans fellows also participate in an internship, allowing for their knowledge obtained in the classroom to be supplemented with practical knowledge of the transportation industry.