Meet APTF Scholarship Recipient Shlok Sooch!

Shlok Sooch is a third-year student at the University of California, Berkeley, studying for a bachelor’s degree in data science with a focus on social policy and law—due to graduate in May. He is passionate about using data-driven approaches to improve mobility, equity, and innovation in the transportation industry. He is the recipient of the David Turney scholarship from the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF).

What Does This Scholarship Mean to You?

Winning this scholarship means I’m trusted to grow and give back. It will help me achieve my goals by easing financial pressure and letting me focus on learning and hands-on industry work. I am excited to contribute to the transportation industry by building data-driven tools that make transit more reliable and accessible.

How Does This Scholarship Empower You?

Receiving this scholarship has inspired me because leaders in this field believe in my potential. With this support, I feel empowered to deepen my technical skills and serve riders and agencies, and I hope to make a difference in transportation by improving equity, safety, and the day-to-day rider experience. This award is a genuine encouragement to stay humble, learn fast, and serve.

Describe the Impact This Scholarship Will Have on Your Studies/Career

The scholarship accelerates my path in data science for mobility—more research, internships, and collaborations that translate into real improvements. I plan to focus on reliability and accessibility, using analytics to support better scheduling, incident response, and rider information. My goal is to help agencies deliver simpler, safer, and more equitable trips.

The mission of APTF is to increase and retain the number of individuals choosing the transit field as a career by providing scholarships and engagement opportunities to deserving students and transit professionals. Learn more, including how to contribute.