Dr. Ladan Mozaffarian
Research Interests
- Transportation Planning & Policy
- Public Health, Transportation Planning, & Safety
- Transportation Equity & Accessibility
- Micro-Mobility, New Mobility, & Autonomous Vehicles
- Urban Economy, Knowledge Economy, & Economic Development
- Community Development & Participatory Planning
Education
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA): Ph.D., Urban Planning & Public Policy
Shahid Beheshti University (SBU): Master of Landscape Architecture
Shahid Beheshti University (SBU): Bachelor of science, Architectural Engineering
About
Dr. Ladan Mozaffarian is an Assistant Professor of Regional and City Planning in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design (PLAD) at the University of Oklahoma. Her interdisciplinary research investigates the intersection of transportation planning and three critical pillars: sustainability, equity, and public health. With an emphasis on applied, data-driven approaches, her work explores how transportation systems, land use, and the built environment shape accessibility, environmental justice, and the quality of life in both urban and rural contexts. Dr. Mozaffarian is also a leading researcher on innovation districts and technology zones, assessing their economic impacts and sociopolitical dimensions while advocating for inclusive, participatory planning practices. Dr. Mozaffarian has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in top journals and edited volumes, and her work has been supported by competitive grants and fellowships. Notably, she has served as the Principal Investigator on major grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and several University of Oklahoma’s funding programs. Her scholarship and service have been recognized by multiple national organizations, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, which named her Outstanding Student of the Year, and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP), which awarded her a DEI Fellowship, both during her doctoral studies. Dr. Mozaffarian continues to advance the field of urban planning through teaching, mentoring, and leadership in professional organizations such as TRB, APA, and ACSP, while actively contributing to policy-relevant research that informs equitable and resilient urban planning.
Peer-reviewed Publications (Selected):
Mozaffarian L, Zandiatashbar A, Reyes-Sanchez A. (2025 forthcoming), Unveiling the Dynamics of Innovation Districts: An Empirical Study of Key Features and Governance Structure in Fourteen U.S. Cities, Journal of Cities
Mozaffarian L, Zandiatashbar A, Reyes-Sanchez A. (2024), How Remote Working and Placeless-ness Affect Future Planning for Innovation Districts: A Systematic Review of Literature. Journal of Planning Literature (JPL). https://doi.org/10.1177/08854122241260721
Reyes-Sanchez A, Sharifi-Asl S, Mozaffarian L. “Green Cities and Transportation” (2024). Mavs Open Press Open Educational Resources. 46.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/oer_mavsopenpress/46
Etminani-Ghasrodashti R, Khan M, Mozaffarian L. (2022) Modeling the Structural Relationships Between Travel Distance, Built Environment and Cancer Outcomes. Urban Planning and Development. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000843
Etminani-Ghasrodashti R, Kan C, Mozaffarian L. (2021) Investigating the Role of Transportation Barriers in Cancer Patients’ Decision Making Regarding the Treatment Process. Journal of Transportation Research Record. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198121991497
Etminani-Ghasrodashti R, Kan C, Mozaffarian L, Khan M, Mogultay O., 2020, Exploring the Role of Transportation on Cancer Patient Decision-making through Machine Learning Techniques. Center for Transportation Equity, Decisions, and Dollars. https://ctedd.uta.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CTEDD-019-15-Final-Report.pdf
Hamidi S, Etminani R, Mozaffarian L, Kang S, Ewing R., 2019, Trip and Parking Generation at Transit-Oriented Developments: Mockingbird TOD in Dallas, Texas. Center for Transportation, Equity, Decisions & Dollars (CTEDD). United States. Department of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology Administration. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/55506
Peer-reviewed Conferences Presentations (Selected):
Mozaffarian L, Rozhkov A, Islam A, (2025), AI-Powered Climate Resilience: Assessing the Spatial and Policy Dynamics of Renewable Energy Development in Oklahoma, AI and Cities: An International Forum for Innovation and Collaboration
Mozaffarian L, Harris J, (2025), Bridging the Gap Between Residents and Planners through AI-Driven Participatory Planning, AI and Cities: An International Forum for Innovation and Collaboration
Tabassum T, Mozaffarian L, (2025), A Spatial Analysis of Transit Deserts and Infrastructure Gaps in Oklahoma City, ASCE International Conference on Transportation & Development
Mozaffarian L, Li J, Pan Q, (2025), Integrating Socio-Ecological Principles for Equitable Bicycle Network Planning, Urban Affairs Association (UAA)
Zandiatashbar A, Mozaffarian L, Lester TW, (2025), Work-Live Patterns in California Neighborhoods: Unraveling the Influence of High-Tech Zones, Urban Affairs Association (UAA)
Mozaffarian L, Harris J, Lashgari Y, (2024), Fostering Inclusive Innovation Districts through Community Engagement, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP)
Mozaffarian L, (2024), Evaluating Community Engagement Strategies in Innovation Districts: Empirical and Comparative Analysis, Urban Affairs Association (UAA)
Mozaffarian L, Etminani-Ghasrodashti R, (2024), Medical Transportation and Quality of Life (QoL) for Cancer Patients, Transportation Research Board (TRB)
Mozaffarian L, Zandiatashbar A, Reyes-Sanchez A, (2023), An Empirical Analysis of Key Innovation District Features: A Study of The Best Practices Implemented in The United States, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP)
Mozaffarian L, Zandiatashbar A, (2023), The Role of Built Environment in the Future of Innovation Igniting Urban Areas Planning Amid the Rise of Placelessness, American Association of Geographers (AAG)
Mozaffarian L, Li J, Pan Q, (2023), An Empirical Study of Bike Network Planning as a Nature-based Solution for Enhancing Social and Environmental Equity, Transportation Research Board (TRB)
Mozaffarian L, (2022), The Impacts of Innovation Districts on Social Equity & Inclusion, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP)
Mozaffarian L, Etminani-Ghasrodashti R, (2022), How Travel to Healthcare Providers Influences Quality of Life (QoL) in Cancer Patients During Treatment, Transportation Research Board (TRB)
Audirac I, Rosenberger J, Raley A, Reyes-Sanchez A, Etminani-Ghasrodashti R, Mozaffarian L, (2022), Enabling Transportation Planning Professional Advancement through Open Educational Resources, Transportation Research Board (TRB)
Etminani-Ghasrodashti R, Mozaffarian L, (2021), Transportation Barriers and Cancer Patients’ Decision-Making: Unveiling the Role of Travel in Continuing or Stopping Cancer Treatments, Transportation Research Board (TRB)
Etminani-Ghasrodashti R, Mozaffarian L, (2020), Investigating the Built Environment, Travel Distance, and Improved Cancer Outcomes, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP)
Awards:
Doctoral Full Tuition Scholarship, Center for Transportation Equity, Decisions and Dollars (CTEDD), USDOT University Transportation Center (UTC), Total award: $37,000 (2019–2023)
Graduate Research Assistant Scholarship, University of Texas at Arlington, CTEDD, Total award: $72,000 (2019–2023)
Wanda J. Schafer Graduate Scholarship, Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), Competitive, Total award: $2,500 (2022)
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI) Competition, First Place Award, UT-Arlington College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs, Total award: $2,000 (2022)
Sustainability Competition, First Place Award with Honor, UT-Arlington College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs, Total award: $2,000 (2022)
Outstanding Student of the Year Award, United States Department of Transportation, Competitive, Total award: $2,000 (2021)
Outstanding Planning Student Scholarship, American Planning Association-Texas Chapter, Total award: $1,000 (2021)
William J. Pitstick Scholarship, Urban Management Assistants of North Texas, Total award: $750 (2021)
Graduate Student Scholarship, Society of Iranian American Women for Education (SIAWE), Total award: $1,100 (2020)
Conference Presentation Travel Grants, CTEDD, UTA Office of Graduate Studies, and Student Government, Cumulative award: $5,500 (2019–2023)
Grants, Awards, & Fellowships
Mozaffarian L. (PI), (2025), Leadership in Built Environment (L-BER), University of Oklahoma, “Data-driven Approaches for Addressing Rural Transportation Challenges (DART-C),” $19,998.50
Mozaffarian L. (PI), (2025), Faculty Investment Program (FIP), University of Oklahoma, “Understanding Community Perspectives and Assessing Community Engagement Approaches in Innovation Districts,” $14,982
Mozaffarian L. (PI), (2025), Program for Research Enhancement (PRE), Gibbs College of Architecture, “Perceptions vs. Practice: How University Students’ Views Shape Public Transit Usage,” $6,454.60
Mozaffarian L. (PI-OU Norma), Reeves H. (PI- OUHSC), Karabukayeva A (Co-PI- OUHSC), (2024), US Department of Transportation: Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), “Safe Routes for All and Safe Routes to School Plan for the City of Shawnee, OK,” $172,264
Mozaffarian L. (PI), Harris J. (Co-PI), (2024), Program for Research Enhancement (PRE), Gibbs College of Architecture, “Evaluating Community Engagement Strategies in Innovation Districts: A Case Study of Oklahoma City Innovation District,” $6,458
Mozaffarian L., (2023), Dissertation Fellowship, Office of Graduate Studies, University of Texas at Arlington, $8,000
Mozaffarian L., (2022), Transportation Dissertation Scholarship, Center for Transportation Equity, Decisions, and Dollars (CTEDD), $2,000
Mozaffarian L., 2021, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellowship, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP), $500
Mozaffarian L., 2022, Writing Group Grant, Office of Graduate Studies, UTA (Team Lead), $200
Mozaffarian L., 2023, JPER Writing Workshop Award, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, $500
Professional Affiliations:
- The Institute for Community and Society Transformation (ICAST) (2024–Present)
- Global Planners Education Interest Group (GPEIG) (2023–Present)
- Urban Affairs Association (UAA) (2022–Present)
- American Association of Geographers (AAG) (2022–Present)
- Transportation Research Board (TRB) (2020–Present)
- Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) (2019–Present)
- American Planning Association (APA) (2019–Present)
- Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) (2019–Present)
- Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM) (2020–present)