CEE graduate student Yusra Alhadidi talks about ongoing research efforts at Illinois Center for Transportation’s Advanced Transportation Research and Engineering Laboratory, fun summer activities and aspirations for Fall 2021 in this Q&A.
Yusra Alhadidi, doctoral student
Q: What was the best part of your summer break?
A: “I took three days off and went on a road trip to Louisville, Kentucky. It was super fun. Regarding Urbana-Champaign, (I) finally got the chance to mingle with the community on several occasions and of course, COVID-19 precautions were applied.”
Q: How does it feel to be in person this semester?
A: “Last semester, we used to work with masks on and no direct connection, even at lunch breaks. It was hard for me as a new student who wants to socialize with everyone.
“But now it is getting better as everyone is coming back to ATREL after the full vaccination. I admit that face-to-face interaction is better — way more than the virtual (learning).”
Q: What projects are you working on at ATREL this semester?
A: “I am investigating the compatibility of using plastics with bitumen for asphalt pavement roads. The work has potential environmental and economic impacts. My goal is to reduce the emission by using less binder in pavements and repurpose non-recyclable plastics into pavements through chemical and rheological investigations.”
Q: What do you aspire to accomplish this semester?
A: “I hope by the end of the summer I can integrate the practical learning I had so far with the theoretical knowledge to some of the objectives I already have in my booklet.”
Q: What advice would you like to share?
A: “I always tell everyone, even myself, to avoid comparing the first chapter of your journey with others’ whom (are) already at half of the book.”