Experience

• 

  University of california, santa cruz

  Sept 1997 - Feb 2000

  Physics lab assistant

  Assembled and maintained labs and demonstrations for Mechanics, Optics, and Electricity & Magnetism

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  Los alamos national laboratories

  Jun 2001 - Sept 2001

  Research assistant

  - Constructed and operated direct methanol fuel cell test station- Test station data resulted in reduced equipment size and mass and increased efficiency

• 

  University of california, santa cruz

  Sept 2001 - Jun 2002

  Research assistant, dr. sue carter research lab

  Completed B.S. Physics Thesis - Designed, constructed and performed experiment analyzing thin-film polymer PV efficiency- Documented experiment design, operation and improved PV efficiency

• 

  Bioserve space technologies

  Aug 2002 - May 2004

  Designed, tested and analyzed spaceflight hardware for experiments on the US Space Shuttle - Atmospheric control system for spaceflight green house - Zero-gravity fluid experiments Co-authored SAE publication documenting spaceflight atmospheric control system performance - Engaged and challenged students to create an effective learning environment - Evaluated student performance - Effectively balanced teaching responsibilities with a full graduate course load

  • Research Assistant

    May 2003 - May 2004

  • Teaching Assistant

    Aug 2002 - May 2003
• 

  Lockheed martin space systems

  Aug 2005 - May 2008

  Systems engineer

  Responsible for critical performance & safety issues on test flights of submarine launched ballistic missiles. Work included: - Managed multi-discipline investigation teams addressing hardware and software failures - Documented investigation results in official reports - Organized meetings and presented results to high-level decision makers - Managed the revision of technical specifications & official government documentation - Facilitated efficient communication between management, engineers, customers & government - Contributed to a $500 million reduction in system operation costs - Traveled to numerous facilities for hardware inspections - Obtained a US Department of Defense Secret Clearance Show less

• 

  Meridian solar, inc.

  Feb 2010 - May 2010

  Associate, government and public division

  Performed business development outreach for entry into government / public market segment

• 

  Irena

  Jan 2012 - Jul 2012

  Master of science thesis

  Co-authored publication on hybrid power systems covering basic principles and deployment case studies. Work included: - Assessed renewable energy potential for Pacific islands - Analyzed & documented existing power systems and renewable energy projects - Examined technical, economic & social feasibility of renewable energy integration options - Explored renewable energy based transportation options - Worked regularly with a broad range of international and local stakeholders - Contributed to development of tools for assessing member states’ readiness to implement projects - Represented IRENA at international workshops and events Show less

• 

  International renewable energy agency (irena)

  Apr 2014 - Mar 2018

  Providing national governments comprehensive plans for energy sector transformation including technical, economic and policy advice. Primary author of Palau Energy Roadmap, Co-author of Kiribati Integrated Energy Roadmap.Primary author of Quickscan report: Challenges and opportunities for renewables in Small Island Developing States. Presented findings at COP23 Primary analyst and author for REmap Kazakhstan report: Renewable options across the energy sector Presented analysis to government officials and energy sector stakeholdersEnergy sector knowledge: electricity generation, renewables integration, energy storage, energy efficiency, heating and cooling, transportation, electric vehicles, biofuelsTechno/economic analysis of power system capacity expansion and dispatching: data quality and availability, modelling options, technology performance, project cost and financing Policy analysis: energy project deployment barriers and solutions, energy security, environmental and economic sustainability, markets and incentives, operation and maintenance, local capacity impacts Developing and maintaining effective networks of government officials and energy sector stakeholdersDrafting content for reports, executive summaries, presentations and communication materialsManaging publication process: editing, layout, printing and distributionManaging consultant analysis and content production: Integrating content from multiple authors Organizing missions and workshops of IRENA staff, management, external experts and high-level officialsSupporting senior management with briefs, talking points and analytical insightsOfficially representing IRENA at high-level events, bi-lateral meetings and workshops, e.g. presenting IRENA energy transition tools and services at the third summit of EU overseas countries and territories Energy Ministers Show less Co-authored national energy roadmaps for Cyprus, the Maldives and Barbados providing comprehensive plans for deployment of renewable energy with technical, economic and policy recommendations. Co-authored publication on renewable energy options for the island tourism industry and a review of IRENA's roadmap methodology and results.Co-devloped the IRENA Small Islands Developing State (SIDS) Lighthouses Initiative Quickscan, which supports SIDS in rapidly assessing and communicating their needs and opportunities for renewable energy deployment.Supported completion and analysis of 20 Quickscans providing SIDS, IRENA and development partners insights on opportunities for supporting renewables deployment. Cooperated with the EU Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) to complete and analyze an additional 18 Quickscans Show less

  • Associate Programme Officer

    Apr 2017 - Mar 2018

  • Associate Professional

    Apr 2014 - Apr 2017
• 

  International energy agency (iea)

  Feb 2019 - Feb 2024

  Senior energy analyst

  • Analyst, author and project manager delivering eight IEA Energy Policy Reviews, which provided national governments with recommendations to address a country’s most pressing energy sector challenges• The reviews delivered recommendations based on international best practices to drive just and secure clean energy transitions• Managed teams of 8-15 energy sector experts and collaborated with dozens of IEA staff on research and analysis covering energy policy, regulation, technology, infrastructure, innovation, markets and financing• Coordinated and participated in week-long visits of review teams to national capitals for meetings with energy sector stakeholders from government, industry, regulators, utilities, grid and market operators, academia and civil society• Authored and managed the publication of Energy Policy Review reports supporting recommendations and analyzing national level energy systems and trends• Lead author of Energy Policy Reviews for Estonia (2023), Finland, Greece, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, contributing author on reviews for Austria, Estonia (2019) and the European Union • Worked with governments and the IEA communications team to ensure impactful report launch events, confidently and engagingly presented report insights alongside the IEA Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and Energy Ministers• Represented the IEA and presented IEA positions at high-level meetings, webinars, working groups and other venues• Led development of a new Energy Policy Review process that is more impactful and focused on policy maker needs and boosted cooperation across the IEA and with national governments• Provided briefs and talking points for IEA senior management to support strategic meetings with high-level officials Show less

• 

  Self employed

  Jan 2025 - now

  Independent energy consultant

  • Providing valuable insights on energy transition, energy security, climate and sustainability• Knowledge covering energy policy, regulation, markets, technology, infrastructure and innovation• Expertise on decarbonization pathways for electricity, heating and cooling, transport, industry and buildings