Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
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Bolivia Vega
Research Engineer, Energy Science & Engineering
Current Role at StanfordResearch Engineer at the Energy Science & Engineering Department, Doerr School of Sustainability
Executive Director of the Center for Mechanistic Control of Unconventional Formations (CMC-UF) (2018 - 2024) -
Edgar Virgüez
Research Engineer
BioEdgar Virgüez is an energy systems engineer and geographer who investigates net-zero emissions energy systems. Currently, he works as a Research Engineer at the Energy Science & Engineering Department at Stanford University. His research findings (>20 papers) have been published in top-tier journals like Energy & Environmental Science and Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T), obtaining more than 600 citations. He has participated in nineteen research/consultancy projects with a total budget of USD >25 million, working with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Energy, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank. As part of these projects, he has directed life-cycle assessments and cost-benefit analyses of integrating new fuels into energy markets, designed decarbonization strategies for local governments, and assessed the benefits of transitioning into net-zero emissions energy systems.
Dr. Virgüez has been recognized as a global expert in energy systems, appointed: a) to the Expert Advisory Panel of the Earthshot Prize (a prestigious international award founded by Prince William of Gales, awarding more than 6.25 million USD annually), b) as an Expert Reviewer of the Schmidt Sciences Decarbonization and Energy Virtual Institute (DEVI) (awarding multiple grants for up to 10 million USD), c) as one of the seven inaugural Executive Editorial Board Members of the Environmental Research: Energy journal, and d) as an Editorial Board Member of the Scientific Reports journal (Nature Portfolio). Similarly, he serves as a peer reviewer for 13 journals (e.g., ES&T, Nature Sustainability).
He has developed as a next-generation pedagogue, teaching 16 courses, serving more than 560 students, and achieving high ratings from his students. For his contributions and exemplary promise as a higher education leader, he has received several professional honors (total amount of professional awards USD 33,365). In 2020, he was selected as one of the seven recipients of the K. Patricia Cross Future Leader Award by the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U), identified as a rising star from a 200-nominee pool from 118 institutions in the United States. In 2022, his research contributions were recognized with the Best Paper Award from the Energy and Environment Group of the American Association of Geographers and the U.S. Carbon Program Leadership Award from the Carbon Cycle Science Program & North American Carbon Program.
At Duke University, where he conducted graduate studies, he received several of the most prestigious awards for graduate students, including the 2021 Graduate School Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (<0.1% of doctoral students) and the 2021 Forever Duke Student Leadership Award (<0.5% of graduating students). In 2022, he was selected as a board member (Young Trustee) of Duke University’s highest governing body, the Board of Trustees. Dr. Virgüez was appointed from 2022 to 2025.
His solid knowledge base arises from his academic formation. At Duke University, he completed a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Policy with a Certificate in College Teaching (’22) and an M.A. in Environment (Energy and Environment) with a Geospatial Analysis Certificate (’18). At Universidad de los Andes, he obtained an M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering (’10), a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (’09), and a B.Sc. Environmental Engineering (’09). Additionally, he has strengthened his transferable skills by participating in professional certificate programs in Australia, the United States, and Colombia. Acknowledging his academic excellence and research contributions, he has been awarded scholarships and fellowships for more than USD 795,000 from competitive national and international programs sponsored by institutions such as the Sloan Foundation and Procter & Gamble (P&G).