People Type: Alumni

Biography David is a Principal Research Scientist at NextEra Analytics. Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) and the Holloway group at the Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE) at UW–Madison. His work at UW–Madison focused on policy-relevant analysis of energy systems, air pollution, and …

Carmen Best graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2004 with a master’s degree in Land Resources and a certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and is now the Vice President of Policy and Emerging Markets at an energy software start-up called Recurve.

Adria Brooks graduated in August of 2020 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a PhD in Electrical Engineering and a certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy and is already in an exciting career path at the Department of Energy through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2005 with a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy, Holly Burnett's career has spanned multiple countries and several roles as an engineer, technical consultant, business development leader, and mentor in the renewable energy industry.

Biography Martha Goodell (M.S., Class of 2014) loves finding creative solutions to complex challenges. “I’ve always been a problem solver,” she says. A passion for problem solving and an early interest in art drove Martha to pursue a degree in architecture as an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder in the early 90s. …

Biography Written by Muhammad Shayan Scott Hackel (MS in Mechanical Engineering ’08) is driven by the mission to combat climate change via innovations. Working on new technologies and research methods coming up in the energy sector is his niche. Scott currently works as the Director of Research and Innovation at Slipstream, a mission-driven nonprofit that …

As a Research Analyst at Slipstream, Maddie Koolbeck enjoys the breadth of her work in energy and the mission-driven approach of her projects. A graduate of the La Follette School of Public Affairs with a certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy (EAP), she found the EAP program an important part of her professional development at UW–Madison and encourages current students to make the most of the program’s resources.

Biography Ron Meissen enrolled in the Land Resources PhD program in 2000 and quickly began his association with the EAP program. Ron was not a traditional student, as he maintained a full-time position on the management team of Baxter International Inc. (Baxter), and commuted from the north side of Chicago for more than six years …

Biography “If you feel passionate about your work and do good for the world, you may be surprised by the opportunities life hands you.” Patty Monahan (M.S. Land Resources, Class of ’91) understands the importance of coupling exploration with direction to find your career path. After graduating with a BS in Environmental Studies from UC-Berkeley, …

Eric O’Shaughnessy earned a Master of Public Affairs, certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy (EAP), and PhD in Environment and Resources from UW–Madison and works as an independent renewable energy research analyst for clients including NREL, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the World Resources Institute, focusing on solar energy.