I-JEDI - Key Persons

Aadil Latif

aa..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Researcher in NREL 's Transmission & Distribution Interactions Group
Researcher IV - Electrical Engineering

Aadil Latif is a researcher in NREL's Transmission & Distribution Interactions Group within the Grid Planning and Analysis Center.

Aaron Levine

aa..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Senior Legal and Regulatory Analyst

Aaron Levine serves as a senior legal and regulatory analyst in the Markets and Policy group in the Strategic Energy Analysis Center. Generally, Aaron focuses on legal, regulatory, and policy issues related to geothermal, hydropower, solar power, wind energy, transmission, alternative fuels, and other energy-related matters. Aaron has specialized expertise in environmental and energy law and project siting considerations.

Adam Bratis

Job Titles:

Member of the Science and Technology Associate Lab Directors Team
Associate Lab Director, Bioenergy Science and Technology

Adarsh Nagarajan

ad..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Group Manager of the Distribution Edge Group
Group Research Manager II - Systems Engineering

Adarsh Nagarajan is the Group Manager of the Distribution Edge Group in the Grid Planning and Analysis Center with a focus on advanced power systems research relating to fast changing energy systems. His experience encompasses computer modeling of power systems; grid integration of distributed energy resources; modeling, control, and monitoring of energy storage systems; and the design, system integration, control and dynamics, protection, and seamless grid integration of low-inertia systems (i.e., microgrids).

Alberta Carpenter

al..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Member of the Resources

Alberta Carpenter is a member of the Resources and Sustainability Group in the Strategic Energy Analysis Center. She leads NREL's efforts for strategic analysis for the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Decarbonization Offices.

Alex Badgett

al..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Researcher
Researcher III - Decision Support Analysis

Alex Badgett works as a researcher in the Industrial Systems and Fuels group in NREL's Strategic Energy Analysis Center. His work analyzes interfaces and opportunities between industrial systems and sustainable energy pathways. These opportunities include electrochemical pathways to convert carbon dioxide into sustainable fuels or chemicals, generation of hydrogen via water electrolysis, and the generation of bioenergy and biofuels from organic wet wastes. Alex's research uses numerical optimization and techno-economic methods to evaluate and analyze these advanced energy pathways. He also works in geothermal energy resource assessment and reporting.

Alexis Pascaris

al..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Researcher II - Market Research Analysis

Alexis Pascaris is an agrivoltaics and energy-water-land nexus researcher in the Impacts Analysis Group within the Strategic Energy Analysis Center. As an applied social scientist, she is interested in how the intersection of social dynamics and technological innovation shapes the energy transition. Alexis's research portfolio centers on minimizing the social and environmental impacts of solar development through stakeholder engagement, cross-sector collaboration, and innovative energy-water-land nexus solutions.

Amy Estes - CCO

Job Titles:

Director of Communications

Amy Rose

am..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Member of the Transmission Group
Researcher IV - Electrical Engineering

Amy Rose is a member of the Transmission Group in the Grid Planning and Analysis Center. Her expertise include power sector planning and production cost modeling, regional power pools, and grid integration of renewable energy.

Andre Fernandes

Job Titles:

Researcher IV - Economic / Financial Analysis

Anelia Milbrandt

an..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Senior Researcher
Researcher V - Decision Support Analysis

Anelia Milbrandt is a senior researcher in the Integrated Modeling and Economic Analysis Group within the Strategic Energy Analysis Center. Anelia has over 20 years of experience in bioenergy and waste-to-energy research, as well as program management. She leads technical work related to biomass and waste resources evaluation. Anelia led and contributed to groundbreaking research that quantified and mapped various biomass and waste resources below national level and at a fine geographic resolution for the first time. Anelia manages the Waste-to-Energy Technical Assistance Program for State and Local Governments which supports US communities exploring alternative waste management options. She has also managed international initiatives with bilateral and multilateral partners (e.g., UNEP, USAID, APEC) where in addition to technical assessments she has provided expert advice on bioenergy and waste-to-energy development.

Anna Garcia

an..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Business Support - Executive Assistant

Anna Garcia joined NREL in 2018, and has been working as the executive assistant to Juan Torres in the Energy Systems Integration Directorate since 2021. Garcia brings with her a strong technology and management background and enjoys employing her organizational skills to help others. As executive support, she manages day-to-day activities, calendar scheduling, administrative mentorship, as well as coordinating special meetings and events. Prior to working at NREL, Garcia held various positions all focused on the support of others. She holds a B.A. in women's studies and a MAT in theology. Originally from Ohio, she has called Colorado home since 2005.

Anne Barlas

an..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Member of the Grid Planning
Researcher II - Model Engineering

Anne Barlas is a member of the Grid Planning and Analysis Center. Anne's research focuses on capacity expansion modeling, primarily using the NREL ReEDS tool. Her current projects include work in the United States power system specific to geothermal expansion, and working to expand ReEDS India.

Anne Hamilton

an..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Power Systems Modeler and Analyst
Researcher II - Model Engineering

Anne Hamilton is a power systems modeler and analyst in the Capacity Expansion & Electricity Markets Group in the Grid Planning and Analysis Center.

Anwar, Bashar

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Model Engineering

Ardani, Kristen

Job Titles:

Chief of Staff

Arkhurst, Bettina

Arron Gregory

Job Titles:

Global Accessibility and Belonging Officer

Avery, Greg

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Decision Support Analysis

Awara, Sarah

Job Titles:

Researcher II - Electrical Engineering

Badgett, Alex

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Decision Support Analysis

Bannister, Mike

Job Titles:

Researcher II NEX - Software Development

Barlas, Anne

Job Titles:

Researcher II - Model Engineering

Barrows, Clayton

Job Titles:

Group Manager
Senior Researcher

Bench Reese

Job Titles:

Analyst
Senior Engineer

Bennett, Rebecca

Job Titles:

Project Manager II - Research Support

Bhatt, Arpit

Job Titles:

Researcher IV - Chemical Engineering

Bilello, Daniel

Job Titles:

Center Director I - Technical

Bill Farris

Job Titles:

Associate Lab Director, Innovation Partnering and Outreach / Operations

Bill Hadley

bi..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Senior Licensing Executive

Bill joined TTO as a licensing executive in 2014, overseeing the NREL solar photovoltaic and materials science intellectual property portfolios. He has received special distinction by both NREL and the Federal Laboratory Consortium for his management of NREL's portfolio of patents surrounding Dynamic Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy and is a member of the Department of Energy's Technology Transfer Working Group subcommittee on Industry Engagement. Before joining NREL, he worked in private practice and in technology transfer at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he evaluated technologies in a variety of biotech areas. He earned his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Colorado School of Mines and his Juris Doctor from Creighton University.

Bill Tumas

Job Titles:

Member of the Science and Technology Associate Lab Directors Team
Associate Lab Director, Materials, Chemical, and Computational Science

Birdie Carpenter

Job Titles:

Researcher V - Environmental Engineering

Birdie also manages the team that developed and runs the Materials Flow through Industry tool. This tool provides supply chain impact analysis of the manufacturing sector, offering insight into energy and carbon hotspots within industrial supply chains and the impacts associated with implementing energy reductions strategies. Areas of Expertise Life cycle assessment in industrial by-product management, waste management, biofuels and manufacturing technologies

Blonsky, Michael

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Electrical Engineering

Bowen, Thomas

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Decision Support Analysis

Brent Olson

Job Titles:

Director, Office of Internal Audit

Brinkman, Gregory

Job Titles:

Researcher V - Model Engineering

Brodt-Giles, Deborah

Job Titles:

Group Manager Advanced Data Analytics & Tools

Brown, Craig

Job Titles:

Systems Integration Technical Lead

Brown, Maxwell

Job Titles:

Senior Modeler

Brown, Patrick

Job Titles:

Researcher IV - Model Engineering

Brunner, Mark

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Software Engineering

Buchanan, Heather

Job Titles:

Researcher II - Policy Analysis

Burton, Robin

Job Titles:

Researcher IV - Policy Analysis

Buster, Grant

Job Titles:

Data Engineer

Carpenter, Birdie

Job Titles:

Researcher V - Environmental Engineering

Cochran, Jaquelin

Job Titles:

Director, Grid Planning and Analysis Center

Cohen, Stuart

Job Titles:

Researcher V - Model Engineering

Cole, Wesley

Job Titles:

Researcher V - Model Engineering

Cook, Jeff

Job Titles:

Renewable Energy Policy and Market Analyst

Cox, Sadie

Job Titles:

Laboratory Program Manager I - Partnership Development

Cruce, Jesse

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Policy Analysis

Curtis, Taylor

Job Titles:

Researcher IV - Policy Analysis

Dalvi, Sourabh

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Operations Research Analysis

Dan Beckley

Job Titles:

Associate Lab Director, Facilities and Operations

Dave Mooney

Job Titles:

Executive Director

Denholm, Paul

Job Titles:

Senior Research Fellow I - Model Engineering

Dhulipala, Surya Chandan

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Electrical Engineering

Doris, Elizabeth

Job Titles:

Center Director I - Technical

Doubleday, Kate

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Model Engineering

Douglas J. Arent

Job Titles:

Executive Director, Strategic Public - Private Partnerships

Dr. Andy Walker

Job Titles:

Senior Research Fellow I - Mechanical Engineering

As a senior research fellow, Dr. Andy Walker helps inform the strategy of the lab and serves as a resource for helping staff develop ideas and ensure quality. He develops new methods for engineering and economic analysis of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. His patent on the Renewable Energy Optimization method of planning renewable energy projects across a portfolio of properties based on economic value was awarded the Thomas A. Edison Patent Award in 2015 based on innovation and impact. He teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. He has led the Solar Energy Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and is an ASME Fellow. Walker conducts engineering and economic analysis of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for federal agencies, such as national parks and military bases, and for commercial and industrial clients. He has helped plan projects for: 42 Anheuser-Busch facilities Seven Frito Lay factories, which resulted in a 5,200-m 2 solar thermal system in Modesto, California, and a "net zero" manufacturing plant in Casa Grande, Arizona, incorporating solar thermal, biomass, and photovoltaics An engraving and printing plant where U.S. currency is manufactured International shoe and garment manufacturers Other manufacturing facilities considering renewable energy (photovoltaics and solar thermal).

Eberle, Annika

Job Titles:

Researcher IV - Mechanical Engineering

Engel-Cox, Jill

Job Titles:

Research Advisor II - Decision Support Analysis

English, Christine

Job Titles:

Researcher IV - Biological Science

Eric Payne

er..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Senior Licensing Executive and Licensing Team Lead

Eric joined TTO in 2009 and is responsible for the commercialization of bioenergy innovations and lead's NREL's licensing team. He was previously a technology manager at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, where he focused on licensing biopharmaceutical, engineering, and energy technologies. He has commercialized many early-stage technologies and has licensed technology to numerous startup companies. Eric holds degrees in genetics and microbiology from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration. He is a certified licensing professional and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Erin Beaumont

er..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

NREL in 2015 As a Licensing Executive
Senior Licensing Executive

Erin Beaumont joined NREL in 2015 as a licensing executive. In this role, she works to manage and license NREL's intellectual property portfolios in buildings, energy storage including batteries, grid integration and power systems, cybersecurity, concentrating solar power, wind and water energy, and geothermal. Before joining NREL, Beaumont was an innovation manager at the University of New Mexico, where she managed and commercialized a portfolio of early-stage, engineering, and physical science-related inventions, including licensing and startup formation. Beaumont holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of New Mexico.

Fernandes Tomon Avelino

Job Titles:

Researcher IV - Economic / Financial Analysis

Fischer, Jacob

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Software Development

Frew, Bethany

Job Titles:

Group Manager II - Model Engineering

Gagnon, Pieter

Job Titles:

Senior Energy Systems Researcher

Garcia, Anna

Job Titles:

Business Support - Executive Assistant

Ghosh, Shibani

Job Titles:

Researcher IV - Model Engineering

Gilroy, Nicholas

Job Titles:

Group Manager II - Software Development

Gu, Jianli

Job Titles:

Researcher III - Cloud Systems Engineering

Guerra Fernandez

Job Titles:

Researcher IV - Electrical Engineering

Hale, Elaine

Job Titles:

Senior Research Engineer

Hamilton, Anne

Job Titles:

Researcher II - Model Engineering

Hanes, Rebecca

Job Titles:

Senior Modeling and Analysis Engineer

Heath, Garvin

Job Titles:

Principal Environmental Engineer and Distinguished Member of the Research Staff

Hernandez, Stephanie

Job Titles:

Manager II - Financial Planning & Decision Support

Hettinger, Dylan

Job Titles:

Geospatial Data Scientist

Ho, Jonathan

Job Titles:

Energy System Modeling Engineer

Hodge, Bri-Mathias

Job Titles:

Researcher VI - Electrical Engineering

Hurlbut, David

Job Titles:

Researcher VI - Economic / Financial Analysis

Inman, Danny

Job Titles:

Group Manager II - Environmental Science

Inskeep, Sarah

Job Titles:

Researcher II - Model Engineering

James Lyall - CIO

Job Titles:

Chief Information Officer

Jean Schulte

je..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Licensing Executive

Jean Schulte joined NREL in August 2015. As a licensing executive for TTO, she manages the portfolio of software technologies across all of NREL's research areas, working with researchers to identify and implement optimal deployment strategies for software, often via open-source or commercial licensing. Before joining NREL, she worked as a patent and market analyst at Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the TTO for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Schulte holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from The Ohio State University.

Jennifer Fetzer

je..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Licensing Compliance Administrator
Licensing Compliance Administrator for TTO

Jennifer Fetzer joined NREL in 2017. As licensing compliance administrator for TTO, she tracks obligations related to license agreements and processing royalty payments. Before joining NREL, Fetzer worked in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems Technologies at Sandia National Laboratories. She has a Master of Science in biomedical engineering from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado Denver.

Jennifer Logan - CFO

Job Titles:

Chief Financial Officer

Jin Tan

ji..@nrel.gov

Job Titles:

Principal Engineer and a Distinguished Member
Researcher V - Electrical Engineering

Jin Tan is a principal engineer and a distinguished member of the research staff in the Transmission and Distribution Interaction Group within the Grid Planning and Analysis Center at NREL. She leads development of the Multi-Timescale Integrated Dynamic and Scheduling (MIDAS) framework to address the challenges of planning and operating extremely high renewable penetrated grid. She is also developing advanced electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation capability for power grids with large numbers of distributed energy resources to study the stability of 100% renewables.