With researchers coming from different backgrounds and experiences, our goal is to ensure energy transitions are rapid, sustainable, and equitable. We are methodical, receptive, and always open to learning from others. We often work with colleagues outside of the lab to push energy transitions forward.
Assistant Professor in Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.
After starting my B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering in México, I transferred to the University of Arizona where I indulged in energy-related research by working with Prof. Peiwen "Perry" Li on PEM Fuel Cells and Prof. Rocco Fazzolari on Solar Photovoltaics. I moved to the east coast and obtained both my M.Sc. and Ph.D. at MIT working with Prof. Tonio Buonassisi in the Photovoltaics Research Laboratory, studying defects in solar cells and their impact on electrical conversion efficiency.
During my studies at MIT, I took a summer off and worked in Mexico's Secretaría de Energía. My passion for topics lying at the intersection of technology, policy, and energy, was amplified that summer. I then worked as a postdoctoral scholar and research professional at UC Berkeley’s Energy and Resources Group and the California Institute for Energy and the Environment with Prof. Dan Kammen, and Dr. Carl Blumstein, respectively, where I broadened my technical and policy interests and guided them to shape my current research focus.
As a professor at UT Austin, I study and help co-create sustainability solutions for our communities by using tools and strategies at the interface of energy, equity, data science. My lab conducts projects all over the world, with an emphasis on energy transitions in North and Latin America.
Jerry is a PhD student and NSF Graduate Research Fellow in Civil Engineering. They are currently modeling equitable decarbonization pathways for the ERCOT region, with a particular focus on assessing the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel and long duration energy storage asset. Their other research utilizes both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the impacts of extreme weather events on energy infrastructure.
SayedMorteza is a PhD student at RESET Lab working at the intersection of energy, equity, data science, engineering, and economics to study environmental challenges related to climate change from multiple angles. In particular, his research aims to develop data-driven approaches to explore and understand the impact and sustainability of different climate/energy policies.
Jordan is pursuing his PhD in Civil Engineering. His research engages with air quality monitoring and community outreach to understand the environmental justice impacts of infrastructure developments in Austin. He is also working to model the air quality implications of decarbonization pathways, incorporating pollutant dispersion projections into grid planning models.
Ricardo is a master's student and Fulbright fellow in the Civil Engineering sustainable systems track. His research interests are climate change mitigation and energy planning. He is currently working on decarbonization pathways for the electrical grid of Honduras, as well as evaluating financial mechanisms to adopt electrified appliances for residential buildings in Texas.
Paola is a master’s student in Civil Engineering on the Sustainable Systems track. She is currently evaluating the impact of electric vehicle charging stations placement for the communities in Austin. Furthermore, she is modeling the Honduran electrical grid to analyze pathways to decarbonization.
Alejandro is a graduate student pursuing a Master's in Civil Engineering on the Sustainable Systems track. His research interests focus on equitable energy transitions and climate change mitigation. He is currently working on the parametrization and optimization of the Mexican power sector to analyze routes for an equitable decarbonization of the electrical grid.
Suprajha is a second-year master's student specializing in Energy and Earth Resources. Her research revolves around climate change mitigation through energy transition, with a particular focus on the potential of global-scale deployment of solar PV with battery storage. In her thesis, she is keen on comprehending and analyzing the viability of utilizing solar PV with battery storage as a backup power solution for multi-family residential homes during weather-induced power outages, such as Texas winter storms and California wildfires.
Alejandro is a master’s student in the Energy and Earth Resources program. His interests lie in equitable and sustainable energy decarbonization solutions. His research explores technical burdens and social impacts of producing green hydrogen coupled to a geothermal plant in Mexico in order to identify the policy work that the country needs to address for green hydrogen.
Vivek is a second-year master’s student in Energy and Earth Resources at the Jackson School of Geosciences. His research focuses on predicting the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging demands on the grid. He is passionate about solving challenges related to energy access, EVs, and hydrogen production and utilization.
Alessandro is a graduate student in Environmental Engineering developing a simplified Texas electric grid model.
Hari Keerthana Kamalakannan is an Energy and Earth Resources graduate with expertise in Electronics, Web Development, and Energy Finance and Policy. Passionate about energy, her research centers on the IRA’s influence on green hydrogen investments and renewable energy investments in general. Hari’s work, bridging policy and technology, aims to drive the energy transition forward equitably for all.
Jihu is an undergraduate sophomore studying Environmental Engineering. He is evaluating electricity consumption across UT Austin buildings to quantify the potential to offset some of the natural-gas power plant consumption.
Japa is a sophomore undergraduate studying Civil Engineering with a passion for sustainable infrastructure and energy systems. She is currently examining financial strategies for the electrification of residential buildings in Texas.
Sihyang Lee is an undergraduate senior majoring in Environmental Engineering. She is developing a script to estimate potential savings from PACE financing for building electrification.
Tracy Miranda is an undergraduate sophomore majoring in Environmental Engineering. She is evaluating the inequity of EV charging stations placement and their impact on the communities in Austin.
Sonja is an undergraduate junior studying Mathematics and Computer Science at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. She is examining urban heat islands in Austin.
Arushi Biswas is an undergraduate junior majoring in Environmental Science with interests in disaster response and sustainable infrastructure. Arushi is examining the dynamics of inter-agency communication and policy changes implemented during and after winter storm Uri in Texas.
Khang is an undergraduate freshman studying Environmental Engineering. She is analyzing air quality data with a focus on comprehensive communication to facilitate community welfare.
Hallin is an undergraduate sophomore majoring in Environmental Engineering. She is developing an online platform for communicating air quality monitoring data to community stakeholders.
Yashna is an undergraduate sophomore studying civil engineering with a business minor. Currently, she is working on calculating the costs and benefits of electrifying multi-family buildings in Texas.
If curious and passionate about pursuing research at the frontiers of energy policy, engineering, and data science? Come and join the RESET lab! We are looking for students who have a rigorous technical background, care deeply about social issues, but also are eager to jump into learning new topics and concepts from other fields. We value creativity, independence, and openness.
If that sounds like a good fit for you, or if you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
