Gao joined the Cornell faculty in July 2005. His research focuses on transportation systems, environment (especially air quality) and sustainable development. Before coming to Cornell, he spent a few months working for The Rohatyn Group, LLG, NY as a quantitative analyst on fund allocation optimization in global emerging markets, and a few months working at the University of Connecticut as a post-doc on emissions and fuel efficiency assessment of diesel hybrid electric and conventional diesel buses for Connecticut Transit (CTTRANSIT) & Joint Highway Research Advisory Council. In the summer of 2004 Gao received his graduate degrees (Ph.D. in CEE, M.S. in Statistics, and M.S. in Ag-Econ) from the University of California at Davis.
Most of Gao's research involves intensive application of mathematical and probability theories, statistical/econometrical methods (e.g., estimation, inference, hypothesis testing, forecasting), scientific computing, and information technology (e.g., GIS, temporally and spatially-indexed transportation/environment database) to various issues in urban/regional transportation planning, engineering, regional/project level air quality impact and conformity, and related transportation policies. In pursuit of successful environmental quality control strategies and sustainable transportation systems, his previous research included spatial/temporal statistical modeling of Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) commercial truck transportation and its impact on diurnal ground-level ozone/NOx dynamics in Southern California, the most ozone polluted area in the nation. Comprehensive interpretations of the results and their empirical implications were investigated from both transportation and environment perspectives. The study contributes to the development of state implementation plans (SIP), the optimization of transportation systems and coordination of transportation planning and air quality control.
By nature transportation and the associated environment/energy problems are cross-disciplinary and demand multidisciplinary solutions. Conducting multiple air quality-transportation projects and interacting with researchers from academia, industry, California DOT (CALTRANS) and California Air Resource Board (CARB) have exposed Gao to a range of productive team-work. Concerted inter-agency collaborations prove critical toward more efficient and sustainable transportation. With background in transportation, environment, statistics and resource economics, Gao is looking forward to collaborating with interested faculty members, students/scholars, and relevant governmental and private agencies across disciplines to nourish dynamic transportation/environment systems research, with its potential extension to land use, environmental justice, and public health.
