The Institute of Transportation Studies, Irvine is proud to spotlight former student researcher Preston Wong for his contributions to the Transportation Research Immersion Program (TRIP) and his dedication to advancing the transportation systems of tomorrow.
Preston joined the Institute of Transportation Studies as an undergraduate in 2023 while earning his B.A. in Social Policy and Public Service. Preston’s interest in social welfare provided him with a unique lens to explore community-related issues at the intersection of housing and transportation. As a student researcher, Preston applied his knowledge to community resilience hubs and transit access disparities during disasters like wildfires and COVID-19.
“It really opened my eyes… there’s a revolving door between research and practice in our field. TRIP helped me see that.”
After completing TRIP, Preston felt prepared to enter professional positions in highly collaborative environments. For one of his first high-impact roles, Preston assisted with securing $100 million in competitive grant funding to develop the BART to Silicon Valley Phase II Project.
“We wrote two grant applications for a $13 billion project. It felt impactful because it was mostly me and a small team doing the main writing… It’s really on-the-job learning. Joining ITS helped me learn a bit more about the field.”
Today, Preston applies his on-the-job learning approach to his current role at Drago Vantage as a Transportation Planner. Although he never anticipated a career in transportation, Preston’s experiences are full of satisfaction and worthwhile lessons. When asked what advice he may have for students curious about TRIP, Preston encouraged them to embrace opportunities whenever they’re offered.
“Don’t feel underqualified… we’re all just trying to figure things out. Just go for it and learn as much as you can. Some days are better than others, but overall, I feel pretty satisfied knowing I contributed.”
Author Erin Boshers is a recent graduate of Urban Studies and Literary Journalism at UC Irvine. She has conducted transportation and housing research through roles at Caltrans, the Kennedy Commission, Jamboree Housing, and the Institute of Transportation Studies.
Each summer, the ITS-Irvine Transportation Research Immersion Program (TRIP) and the Pre-college Research Immersion Program pairs undergraduate and high school student researchers with faculty to contribute meaningfully to ongoing transportation research projects. To learn more about these programs, contact ITS-Irvine Assistant Director for Programs and engagement Dr. Victoria Deguzman at vvdeguzm@uci.edu.