Dr. KC Choi is a Chancellor EDGES Professor in the Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M University. A recognized thought leader in intelligent transportation management and infrastructure innovation, Dr. Choi has dedicated his career to addressing complex challenges in urban infrastructure resilience, sustainability, and next-generation workforce development. With a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley, he has held influential positions since 2008, establishing himself as a prominent figure in interdisciplinary transportation management research. Dr. Choi currently serves as the History Maker Homes Endowed Professor and a specialty editor for prestigious journals, including the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management and the Journal of Management in Engineering, both published by ASCE. Through his roles, he advances construction science by combining academic rigor with innovative solutions to global challenges.

In a new era of mixed modes of transportation, including everything from advanced air mobility to autonomous vehicles, carsharing, and public transport, a driving environment never experienced before, there is an urgent need to improve the adaptive capacity of legacy transportation systems management and operations. Promoted by the recent rise of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), a transformative paradigm shift from reactive to predictive is occurring. It enables a proliferation of innovative ideas and positions them at the fingertips of the public for real-time decision-making solutions. Dr. Choi centers his research around these lines of inquiry, seeking to reimagine how we live, work, and travel by addressing critical challenges in renewing the nation’s aging transportation infrastructure.

Recently, Dr. Choi has made significant advancements in applying GenAI to address grand societal challenges, such as climate change, demonstrating his ability to transform cutting-edge research into practical, impactful solutions. Since earning tenure in 2016, he has secured high-impact external research funding and led transdisciplinary teams spanning engineering, urban planning, computer science, education, and sociology. His interdisciplinary approach highlights a commitment to solving complex problems through diverse perspectives, earning him the prestigious Chancellor EDGES Fellowship in 2020 and multiple teaching excellence awards in recognition of his mentorship and academic impact.

Dr. Choi’s research integrates GenAI, digital twins, and immersive metaverse applications to create next-generation learning platforms. By designing self-directed, simulation-based learning (SDSL) models inspired by game-based methodologies, he equips students with the tools to learn autonomously in interactive virtual environments. This SDSL approach may ignite student interest and accelerate skill acquisition, which can transform the student learning experience. His research has broad societal implications, impacting transportation management, sustainability, and infrastructure rehabilitation. His innovative tools and strategies contribute to significant cost savings, improved safety, and increased efficiency in transportation systems while also addressing pressing needs in public safety, workforce training, and construction logistics. Dr. Choi’s commitment to inclusive and diverse STEM learning environments ensures that his work has a lasting, positive impact on academia and society.

Dr. Choi’s contributions also align with national goals in environmental sustainability and infrastructure modernization. His initiatives have advanced efforts to reduce fuel consumption, control emissions, and promote greener urban spaces. By addressing these challenges, Dr. Choi supports a vision for a technologically advanced, sustainable, and eco-friendly society.

As an educator, Dr. Choi treasures the integrative nature of construction management and inspires his students to embrace transformational learning and interdisciplinary critical thinking. At Texas A&M, he tirelessly works to expand and enhance educational programs while leading the department’s strategic planning initiatives. His teaching excellence has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including the Fluor Educator of the Year honors in 2013 and 2015, as well as the Montague-CTE Scholar award from the Center for Teaching Excellence. These accolades underscore his dedication to fostering student success and advancing innovative teaching practices.

Through his visionary leadership in research, teaching, and service, Dr. Choi continues to shape the future of intelligent transportation systems, sustainable infrastructure, and transformative education.