Instructors and Coaches

Our dedicated instructors and coaches bring expertise in transportation and public health, guiding participants through program content, providing personalized support, and fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Laura Sandt, Ph.D.
Co-Director, Research Strategy and Implementation, UNC Highway Safety Research Center

Dr. Laura Sandt specializes in integrating public health with transportation safety, leading projects that focus on community health, injury prevention, and active transportation. She leads research and develops resources, including a research roadmap for transportation and public health. Laura earned her Ph.D. in epidemiology with a focus on injury prevention and holds an M.R.P. in transportation and land use. In 2023, she was appointed co-director at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, where she leads research strategy and implementation. As part of the Transportation-Public Health Leadership Program, Laura leads learning module instruction and supports coaching sessions.

Elyse Keefe, MPH, MSW
Road Safety Project Coordinator, Road Traffic Injury, UNC Injury Prevention Research Center

Elyse Keefe focuses on developing, researching, and implementing community-based road safety initiatives, with a specialization in injury prevention and systems thinking approaches. She serves as the Road Safety Project Coordinator at the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center, supporting Vision Zero coalition and capacity building efforts under the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program. Elyse Keefe holds master’s degrees in public health and social work. In the Transportation-Public Health Leadership Program, she instructs learning modules and supports coaching sessions.

Nandi Taylor, MPH
Ph.D. Candidate, Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

Nandi Taylor focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to injury prevention and public health by integrating social, spatial, and injury epidemiology. Her research applies an equity lens to transportation research and program development by exploring fundamental causes of transportation inequities to lead towards equitable solutions. She leads research on the relationship between structural racism and disparities in transportation outcomes, including a national study linking historical redlining to modern-day pedestrian fatalities. Nandi completed a public health fellowship at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and holds an M.P.H in behavioral health. In the Transportation-Public Health Leadership Program, she instructs learning modules and supports coaching sessions.

Katie Harmon, Ph.D., MPH
Research Associate, UNC Highway Safety Research Center

Dr. Katie Harmon applies epidemiologic methods for the prevention of traffic injuries, including those involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and older adults. Her recent research explores the safety impacts of emerging transportation modes like e-scooters and e-bikes, using advanced data science techniques such as data linkage to better understand traffic safety outcomes and other public health issues. Katie earned her Ph.D. in epidemiology, focusing on injury prevention, and holds an M.P.H. in epidemiology and environmental and occupational health. In the Transportation-Public Health Leadership Program, Katie serves as a coach, helping participants apply concepts to practice.

Nancy Pullen-Seufert, MPH
Senior Research Associate, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
Director, National Center for Safe Routes to School

Nancy Pullen-Seufert specializes in pedestrian and bicycle safety, focusing on active transportation for children and teens. With a background in public health and injury prevention, she directs the National Center for Safe Routes to School, leading efforts to develop strategies for children’s pedestrian safety and fostering support and engagement with city, state, and Federal agencies, as well as foundations. Much of her work has focused on building capacity among transportation, public health, and other professionals through training development, fostering peer networks, demonstration site projects, and evaluation. Nancy served as project manager for the development and implementation of the multidisciplinary Safe Routes to School National Course, overseeing the training of 150 instructors. Nancy holds an M.P.H and a bachelor’s degree in community health education. In the Transportation-Public Health Leadership Program, Nancy serves as a coach, helping participants apply concepts to practice.

Shannen Johnson, MA, CHES
Junior Research Associate, UNC Highway Safety Research Center

Shannen Johnson focuses on program evaluation, occupant protection, health equity, plus teen and older driver safety. Before joining HSRC in 2023, she worked as a Population Health Specialist at Duke Health, supporting education and training for care managers. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) with a master’s degree in health education and health promotion. Her background also includes work in the implementation of prevention strategies and programs across various health topics and populations. In the Transportation-Public Health Leadership Program, Shannen serves as a coach, helping participants apply concepts to practice.