Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
Showing 41-46 of 46 Results
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Søren Henri Taverniers
Physical Science Research Scientist
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDesign and implementation of novel statistical algorithms based on the Multilevel Monte Carlo method to accelerate the quantification of uncertainty in quantities of interest for multiphase systems such as reactive granular media and subsurface flows.
Development of neural-network based surrogate approaches to enable data-driven sensitivity analysis and uncertainty quantification for multiscale systems such as energy storage systems, and accelerate the design process of such devices. -
Hamdi Tchelepi
Max Steineke Professor and Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsCurrent research activities: (1) model and simulate unstable miscible and immiscible fluid flow in heterogeneous porous media, (2) develop multiscale numerical solution algorithms for coupled mechanics and multiphase fluid flow in large-scale subsurface formations, and (3) develop stochastic solution methods that quantify the uncertainty associated with predictions of fluid-structure dynamics in porous media.
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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. -
John Weyant
Professor (Research) of Management Science and Engineering, of Energy Science Engineering and Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy
BioJohn P. Weyant is Professor of Management Science and Engineering and Director of the Energy Modeling Forum (EMF) at Stanford University. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Precourt Institute for Energy and an an affiliated faculty member of the Stanford School of Earth, Environment and Energy Sciences, the Woods Institute for the Environment, and the Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford. His current research focuses on analysis of multi-sector, multi-region coupled human and earth systems dynamics, global change systems analysis, energy technology assessment, and models for strategic planning.
Weyant was a founder and serves as chairman of the Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium (IAMC), a seventeen-year old collaboration among over 60 member institutions from around the world. He has been an active adviser to the United Nations, the European Commission, U.S.Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of State, and the Environmental Protection Agency. In California, he has been and adviser to the California Air Resources, the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission..
Weyant was awarded the US Association for Energy Economics’ 2008 Adelmann-Frankel award for unique and innovative contributions to the field of energy economics and the award for outstanding lifetime contributions to the Profession for 2017 from the International Association for Energy Economics, and a Life Time Achievement award from the Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium in 2018. Weyant was honored in 2007 as a major contributor to the Nobel Peace prize awarded to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and in 2008 by Chairman Mary Nichols for contributions to the to the California Air Resources Board's Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee on AB 32.
Fields of Specialization:
Energy/Environmental Policy Analysis, Strategic Planning
Interests:
Overall goal is to accelerate the use of systems models at state, country, and global scales, aiming to provide the best available information and insights to government and private-sector decision makers. Specific areas include energy, climate change, and sustainable development policy, including emerging technologies and market design alternatives. Draws on concepts and techniques from science and engineering fundamentals (e.g., thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, materials science, and electrical power systems), operations research, economics, finance, and decision theory. -
Siyuan (Simon) Xing
Visiting Associate Professor, Energy Science & Engineering
BioSiyuan (Simon) Xing is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Energy Science & Engineering at Stanford University, hosted by Prof. Daniel Tartakovsky. He is also an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). His research focuses on nonlinear dynamics and scientific machine learning, with an emphasis on developing computational tools to uncover governing equations, predict complex patterns, and analyze bifurcations in nonlinear systems. His recent work explores interpretable neural networks to accelerate scientific discovery and advance our understanding of complex phenomena.
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Xiaolin Zheng
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, of Energy Science Engineering, Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy and Professor, by courtesy, of Materials Science and Engineering
BioProfessor Zheng received her Ph.D. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University (2006), B.S. in Thermal Engineering from Tsinghua University (2000). Prior to joining Stanford in 2007, Professor Zheng did her postdoctoral work in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. Professor Zheng is a member of MRS, ACS and combustion institute. Professor Zheng received the TR35 Award from the MIT Technology Review (2013), one of the 100 Leading Global Thinkers by the Foreign Policy Magazine (2013), 3M Nontenured Faculty Grant Award (2013), the Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE) from the white house (2009), Young Investigator Awards from the ONR (2008), DARPA (2008), Terman Fellowship from Stanford (2007), and Bernard Lewis Fellowship from the Combustion Institute (2004).