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Dr. Michael Waite Joins Columbia University SIPA’s Center on Global Energy Policy as Postdoctoral Research Fellow to Focus on Renewable Energy in India
July 13, 2017
NEW YORK, July 13, 2017 – The Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) announced today that Dr. Michael Waite will join as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. His appointment is in partnership with Columbia University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. Waite will focus on solar and wind power integration into India’s electric grid. His work will support a joint research initiative on the scaling of renewables in India led by CGEP research fellows and CGEP faculty affiliates Professor Vijay Modi from the Columbia Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor Geoff Heal from the Columbia Business School.
“We’re excited to have Michael join the CGEP team and support our growing body of research on energy issues in India, a country which plays an increasingly important role in global energy trends,” said Jason Bordoff, Professor of Professional Practice in International and Public Affairs and Founding Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy. “Michael’s cross-appointment at CGEP and the Department of Mechanical Engineering is a perfect fit for the type of interdisciplinary insights and expertise that is needed to address the challenges faced by the energy sector and policy-makers today.”
Michael will continue to work closely with graduate students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering supporting curriculum development for the National Science Foundation funded Sustainability Research Network (SRN). “We need more bridges between engineering and policy, between research and education, and between our work in the U.S. and India, and such appointments are pivotal for accomplishing that,” said Professor Vijay Modi.
“The scale and scope of global energy challenges require us to integrate and apply expertise across technical, policy and economic disciplines,” said Waite. “My hope has always been to see my research impact policy, so I’m very excited to join CGEP and for the opportunity to collaborate with such a diverse and experienced group on issues in India, the U.S. and elsewhere.”
Dr. Waite holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University; his dissertation focused on wind power expansion, electrification of building heating systems and energy efficiency. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and prior to his doctoral work, he was a building technology design and consulting engineer, during which time he was a member of the international committee responsible for the most widely used building energy standard.
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About the Postdoctoral Fellows Program: The Postdoctoral Fellows Program brings leading academics to the Center on Global Energy Policy to research and write, teach, and otherwise contribute to Columbia University’s robust and deep intellectual community focused on energy and related issues.
About the Center on Global Energy Policy: The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs seeks to enrich the quality of energy dialogue and policy by providing an independent and nonpartisan platform for timely, balanced analysis and actionable recommendations to address today’s most pressing energy challenges. The Center convenes energy leaders, produces policy-relevant, accessible research and trains students to become the next generation of energy scholars, executives and policymakers. Based at one of the world’s great research universities, the Center leverages its location in New York City, proximity to financial markets, business and policymakers, and Columbia’s world-class faculty and global reach. Columbia University is Where the World Connects for Energy Policy.
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