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University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) College of Engineering and Computer Science

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Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS)
Engineering Portable
EPOB4 1.100
Email: railwaysafety@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-8878
Fax: (956) 665-8879
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USDOT FRA OST-R UTCs CUTC AAR/TTCI

Executive Officers

Constantine Tarahnew, Ph.D., Louis A Beecherl, Jr. Endowed Professor

UTCRS Director
Phone: 956-665-2607
Email: constantine.tarawneh@utrgv.edu
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Constantine Tarahnew, Ph.D., Louis A Beecherl, Jr. Endowed Professor

Education

  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 2003
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 1999
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Jordan-Amman, Amman, Jordan, 1996

Biography

Dr. Constantine Tarawneh is the designated Center Director. He serves as the founding director of the UTCRS, which was established back in fall of 2013 under the 2013 USDOT UTC Competition. He has 18 years of experience performing rail transportation research with expertise in thermal and dynamic modeling of railroad mechanical components, rolling stock condition monitoring, and sensor technologies. His record includes over 80 refereed publications, 5 patents, and $24.5 million in funding from federal, state, local, and private sources. He has mentored 40 master’s students to completion and received 30 awards for his excellent contributions in research, teaching, and mentoring. He serves on a few Editorial Boards, is on the TRB Standing Committee on Railroad Operating Technologies (AR030) and is one of four directors of the Research and Education Division (RED) within the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).

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UTCRS Director
Email: constantine.tarawneh@utrgv.edu
ENGR 1.294D
Phone: 956-665-2607

Manuela Cantu

Program Assistant for Center Activities
Phone: 956-665-8878
Email: manuela.cantu@utrgv.edu
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Manuela Cantu

Education

  • High School Diploma, La Joya High School, La Joya, TX, 1996

Biography

Download full CV


Program Assistant for Center Activities
Email: manuela.cantu@utrgv.edu
POB4 1.100
Phone: 956-665-8878

Carlos Pena-Caballero, M.S.

Web Developer
Phone: 956-665-7229
Email: carlos.penacaballero01@utrg...
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Carlos Pena-Caballero, M.S.

Education

  • M.S., Computer Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2018
  • B.S., Computer Engineering, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2016

Biography

Mr. Carlos Pena-Caballero is currently Lecturer for the Computer Science department at UTRGV.  He is the web developer for the UTCRS and MECIS websites. 

Download full CV


Web Developer
Email: carlos.penacaballero01@utrgv.edu
IEAB 3.216
Phone: 956-665-7229
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