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 a Research Engineer in the Department of Energy Science & Engineering at Stanford University, where his work advances sustainable, low-carbon energy systems. His findings have resulted in more than 20 peer-reviewed papers with over 750 citations in leading journals, including Energy & Environmental Science and Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T). In recognition of his expertise, Dr. Virgüez serves on the Executive Editorial Board of the Environmental Research: Energy journal, and regularly reviews manuscripts for 14 journals, including Nature Communications and Nature Sustainability.
Beyond his individual scholarship, Dr. Virgüez serves as Managing Director of the $23 million U.S. Department of Energy-funded EARNEST Consortium, a landmark initiative led by Stanford that unites 21 partner institutions across North America. This effort brings together 18 universities, three national laboratories, and two energy-focused research organizations to identify and advance solutions for the future of the U.S. electricity system. Beyond EARNEST, he has collaborated with organizations such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, contributing expertise in life cycle assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and decarbonization strategies for governments and utilities across the Americas.
At the global level, Dr. Virgüez contributes to major energy and climate initiatives. As an Expert Advisor to the Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William, he reviews nominations in the Fix Our Climate category, assessing their potential for innovation, impact, and scalability toward a $1.25 million award. He also serves as an Expert Reviewer for the Schmidt Sciences Decarbonization and Energy Virtual Institute, evaluating proposals that provide $3–10 million over five years to multi-institutional teams pursuing scalable decarbonization modeling solutions.
For his professional contributions, Dr. Virgüez has received more than 20 awards totaling $34,365 in recognition of his teaching excellence, scholarly achievements, and leadership in higher education. Among his most notable honors, he was recognized by the American Geophysical Union with the Science for Solutions Award (2025), which recognizes “significant contributions in the application and use of the Earth and space sciences to solve societal problems.” As an educator, Dr. Virgüez has taught 17 courses to nearly 600 students, consistently earning outstanding evaluations. His teaching excellence has been recognized with distinctions such as the K. Patricia Cross Future Leader Award (2020) from the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the Graduate School Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2021) from Duke University.
In 2022, he was elected as a Young Trustee to Duke University’s Board of Trustees, the institution’s highest governing body. During his three-year term, he served on committees for Graduate and Professional Education and Research, External Engagement, Honorary Degrees, and the Young Trustee Nominating Committee, which he chaired for one year. He currently sits on the Climate Commitment Campaign Advocates Board, where he advises the university on the major philanthropic initiative on climate change.
Dr. Virgüez holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Policy with a Certificate in College Teaching (2022) and an M.A. in Environment with a Geospatial Analysis Certificate (2018) from Duke University, along with an M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering (2010) and dual B.Sc. degrees in Chemical and Environmental Engineering (2009) from Universidad de los Andes. He has also completed professional certificates in Australia, the United States, and Colombia, and has received more than $795,000 in scholarships and fellowships from competitive programs sponsored by institutions such as the Sloan Foundation and Procter & Gamble.
