Hi, and thank you for visiting our website!
I’m Lisa L. Losada-Rojas. I was born and raised in Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia, and later moved to Bogotá to study Civil Engineering at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL). During my time at UNAL, I took a 6-month gap to study English abroad, which also allowed me to travel around Europe and experience its well-connected and sustainable transportation systems. This inspired me to pursue a career in transportation. I have been keen to explore the intricate relationship between transportation and transport-related health determinants in various built environments and how these factors can enhance our quality of life.
In 2015, I participated in the Undergraduate Research Experience Purdue-Colombia program, conducting research at Purdue University and writing my undergraduate thesis. Afterward, I worked in the transportation industry in Colombia for about eight months, managing projects across various cities and even in Ecuador. I then returned to Purdue University to earn my Master’s and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering as part of the SRTSG group. For my postdoc, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of living in Toronto by joining the University of Toronto.
Now, as an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico, my research focuses on developing transportation solutions that promote community health through behavioral changes. I believe that strategic planning in transportation and public health is crucial to achieving these goals. This belief led me to create the Rural and Urban Transportation Advancement to Healthier Communities (RUTA-HC) group, which brings together individuals passionate about making a difference in these areas. At RUTA-HC, we employ both qualitative and quantitative methodologies from fields such as transportation, behavioral sciences, social sciences, economics, psychology, and human factors to address complex issues at the intersection of transportation and health. Learn more about our current and past research here.
On a personal note, I am the first in my family to leave Colombia for academic opportunities and the first engineer in my family. Despite growing up in a rural area, my family always encouraged me to pursue higher education and my passions. I aspire for RUTA-HC to be a space where members can explore their passions and learn from each other. By harnessing our diverse perspectives, we can foster creativity and innovation, amplifying the impact of our research.
In my ‘free’ time, I love spending time with my husband, family, and friends. I enjoy reading, cooking, dancing, and hiking. I have also developed a passion for skiing, which I hope to indulge in the beautiful New Mexican mountains. My favorite thing about New Mexico is its natural beauty. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend visiting White Sands National Park or taking a stroll through Old Town Albuquerque.