UNC Wilmington student receives 2022
Highway Safety Scholarship
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –The UNC Highway Safety Research Center is pleased to announce Abigail Lorenzo is the recipient of the 2022 Megan Cornog Memorial Highway Safety Scholarship. Lorenzo is pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW).
“I am incredibly grateful to receive this scholarship named in honor of Ms. Cornog,” said Lorenzo. “[It] will assist me in completing my MPA, and…to continue my work in planning, policy, and advocacy for a safe transportation network for everyone.”
The 2022 scholarship recipient’s varied undergraduate and graduate studies sparked her interest in “how comprehensive planning and all-inclusive facility design could improve the safety and experience for users.” In her current role as Deputy Director of the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Lorenzo is developing regional multimodal, long-range plans. “I believe there is a huge opportunity to set a precedent in these plans and associated policies for the safe movement of all people,” Lorenzo stated.
“We are impressed by Lorenzo’s commitment to prioritize safety for all roadway users not just in academic theory but now practice as she works with an MPO in one of the fastest-growing areas in North Carolina,” said HSRC Interim Co-Director, Caroline Mozingo. “This scholarship was established to support tomorrow’s leaders in the field of transportation safety, and we look forward to seeing what Lorenzo will accomplish as she continues her career in the field.”
The annual Megan Cornog Memorial Highway Safety Scholarship aims to foster the education and professional development of graduate students interested in transportation-related areas including but not limited to engineering, driver behavior, planning, public health, and environmental issues. Candidates are evaluated based on a written essay, academic performance, career goals, extracurricular and professional activities, and work experience.
HSRC will host Lorenzo on December 7, 2022, to discuss her research and areas of interest with staff. To request access information for this virtual event, please contact Courtney Blake, cblake@hsrc.unc.edu.
About the Megan Cornog Memorial Highway Safety Scholarship
The scholarship honors a former HSRC staff member, Megan Cornog, who died November 7, 2010, at her home in Carrboro, NC, following a courageous battle with cancer. After earning her master’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in May 2009, Megan began her career as a project coordinator for HSRC, focusing on pedestrian and bicycle issues. Since establishing the scholarship in 2006, HSRC has awarded 15 scholarships to graduate students in the UNC system. For more information, visit: www.hsrc.unc.edu/scholarship