NSF GRFP fellow working with Professor Erin Mayfield in Dartmouth's Sustainable Transitions Lab. I model optimal pathways to decarbonize the U.S. electric power sector. Addressing climate change requires rapid changes to our energy generation mix to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Current state-of-the-art energy systems models inform policymakers about what regional changes to capacity can meet climate targets but are silent on what changes to individual generators accomplish these goals. This presents a problem for decision-makers in charge of natural gas and coal power infrastructure: what decisions (or changes to infrastructure) best meet these targets? My modeling downscales macro models to the level of individual generators and provides decarbonization pathways across many economic and technological scenarios. I also study the efficacy of U.S. policy efforts in abating greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. recently passed the Inflation Reduction Act which included a methane fee provision to abate emissions throughout the oil and gas systems. I am updating previous literature on the marginal cost of methane abatement within the natural gas system with recent emissions findings and technology developments to constrain the expected range of abatement. This will inform federal policymakers on what future policies are necessary to remove methane emissions in total. My research objective remains consistent: to use computational modeling of energy systems to help decision-makers make efficient decisions that accelerate a clean energy transition in the United States.

My Master's research at Dartmouth involved finding solutions to key military problems in the Arctic. I worked with the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) and various universities to better constrain the fracture mechanics of sea ice. This involved the acquisition and processing of large datasets to make informed conclusions about the underlying physics. I utilized pandas, NumPy, PySAL, and other python libraries to refine large data into impactful products. Such work helps the military make informed operational decisions in the polar regions and allows politicians to better interact with the cryosphere. This collaboration requires strong project management skills and data analysis techniques as I facilitate data exchange and cooperation amongst many different team members across the nation.