A Waddington native has received a prestigious doctoral grant through the University of Massachusetts at Amherst for the fall.

Alyssa Ryan, a Ph.D. student in the transportation program in the department of civil and environmental engineering at UMass Amherst has been awarded a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) One-Year Research Grant for Doctoral Candidates. Ryan will conduct research on methods to achieve higher levels of highway safety at the Technical University of Munich, Germany.

Ryan’s research was inspired by the comparatively low fatal crash rates which exist in Germany, where there are no speed limits on the federal motorway system, the Autobahn, and average speeds are in the 80 to 90 mph range.

“I have always wanted to connect with the German culture and learn from global leaders in transportation safety, human behavior and roadway infrastructure. I know there is so much I can learn and bring back to the U.S. for my profession,” said Ryan.

This DAAD award provides doctoral candidates and young academics and scientists with a fully-funded opportunity to carry out research and continue their education in Germany.