Research Assistants

Anthony Cardenas is a Master of Urban Planning candidate at NYU Wagner, specializing in City and Community Planning. He holds a B.A. in International Relations from Florida International University, where he graduated in 2017. From 2018 to 2023, Anthony served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. His experiences growing up in York, Pennsylvania, and Miami, Florida, highlighted the struggles of living with insufficient transit, but it was in New York City that he fully understood the impact of accessible public transportation. His interests include improving transit infrastructure in underserved communities and expanding transportation networks to foster greater connectivity, with the aim of reducing dependency on private vehicles and promoting sustainable urban mobility.

Ruby Foxall

Ruby Foxall is a Master of Urban Planning candidate (2026) specializing in City and Community Planning. Originally from Oakland, CA, her varying experiences with transportation across the US and in China sparked an interest in the relationships between land use and transportation, especially public transit, walking, and biking. Ruby graduated from Harvey Mudd College in 2023 with a B.S. in Physics and Public Policy.

Dane Nielson is a Master of Public Administration Candidate, specializing in Policy Analysis. His interests include economic development, mass transit, and rural infrastructure. Dane is passionate about pragmatic policy solutions. He has a background in Transit Oriented Development for the Valley Metro system in Phoenix, AZ, and has conducted policy research on housing finance for the federal government. Dane holds a B.A. in Public Policy from New York University.

To reach a Research Assistant, please email us at rudin.center@nyu.edu.