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Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy

Accelerating clean energy adoption requires scholars who understand the business and policy context of clean energy. The Advanced Experience Program (AXP), created through the generous support of the Mark Torrance Foundation, will enable UW doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to apply their knowledge to support decision makers in cleantech investing and clean energy policy.

AXP is designed to be a flexible time commitment to complement each student’s Ph.D. training and longer-term professional development at the UW and CEI. There are two tracks that comprise AXP: (1) Tech Due Diligence Track and (2) Science Policy Analysis Track. The time commitment for each track is approximately 20 hours (not including a final writeup which is typically a two-page contribution to a larger investment or policy document). Participants will receive a $1,200 honorarium after both their 20-hour time commitment and final Due Diligence contribution are complete.

Torrance Tech Due Diligence Track

Purpose

Successfully transitioning clean energy research concepts from the laboratory to the marketplace is costly, and often involves pitching ideas to early-stage investors. Participants in the Tech Due Diligence Track will use their STEM knowledge to advise investors and make technical contributions to a due diligence report or presentation to be used by E8, a cleantech angel investment organization. These contributions will help E8 evaluate companies seeking funding. Through this AXP Track, students will gain:

  • Experience in broadly applying STEM knowledge as a technical consultant.
  • Exposure to early-stage investor perspectives on technology viability, business plans, and risk/opportunity assessment.

Program Details

A wide array of cleantech startup companies seek E8 investments each year over E8’s mid-August through May application cycle. After an initial screening process to triage applicants, students (in consultation with E8) will have the opportunity to join a diligence team to evaluate a company and its respective technology. Each student is expected to participate in relevant screening calls and E8 member meetings as part of their 20-hour time commitment, culminating in participation on a due diligence team. Students will contribute content to a final report or presentation to be used by E8. Focus areas for deals and companies change year to year, but past deals have been in the following areas: energy storage and generation, solar energy, artificial intelligence, software, recycling, material coatings, CO2, and agriculture.

Program Director: Mike Pomfret, Washington Clean Energy Testbeds managing director

Contact: ceiapps@uw.edu

, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy

Tech Due Diligence Analysts

2023-24
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Hannah Contreras (Advisor: David Ginger — Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Jonathan DeStefano (Advisor: Jiun-Haw Chu — Physics)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Seancarlos Gonzalez (Advisor: David Bergsman — Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Phuong Le (Advisor: Dianne Xiao — Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Eric Lester (Advisor: David Cobden — Physics)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Emily Nishiwaki (Advisor: Brandi Cossairt — Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Kathleen Snook (Advisor: Dianne Xiao — Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Kaylyn Torkelson (Advisor: Jim Pfaendnter — Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Eden Tzanetopoulos (Advisor: Daniel Gamelin — Chemistry)
2022-23
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Madeleine Breshears (Advisor: David Ginger - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Spencer Cira (Advisor: Hugh Hillhouse — Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Jordan Fonseca (Advisor: Xiaodong Xu - Physics)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Jack Geary (Advisor: Dianne Xiao - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Michelle Katz (Advisor: Corie Cobb - Materials Science & Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Xuetao Ma (Advisor: Matthew Yankowitz - Physics)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Kelly Walsh (Advisor: Daniel Gamelin - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Jiayi Zhu (Advisor: Xiaodong Xu - Physics)
2021-22
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Shin-ya (Emerson) Chen (Advisor: David Ginger - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Atchuthan Gopalan (Advisor: Daniel Gamelin - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Micaela Homer (Advisor: Brandi Cossairt - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Nayon Park (Advisor: Brandi Cossairt - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
CEI graduate fellow and Ph.D. candidate in chemistry Leo Zasada
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Duncan Reece (Advisor: David Bergsman – Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Anne Ruckman (Advisor: Jessica Kaminsky - Civil & Environmental Engineering)
Kendahl Walz Mitra
Kendahl Walz Mitra (Advisor: Alexandra Velian - Chemistry)
Tharindu W Fernando
Tharindu W. Fernando (Advisor: Ting Cao - Materials Science & Engineering)
2020-21
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Yize Chen (Advisor: Baosen Zhang - Electrical & Computer Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Theodore Cohen (Advisor: Daniel Gamelin - Molecular Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Mitchell Kaiser (Advisor: Jun Liu - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Ian Murphy (Advisor: Brandi Cossairt - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Akshay Subramaniam (Advisor: Dan Schwartz - Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Yuhang Yang (Advisor: Hugh Hillhouse - Chemical Engineering)
2019-20
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Jose Araujo (Advisor: Daniel Gamelin - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Emma Cave (Advisor: Cody Schlenker - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Michael Crump (Advisor: J. Devin MacKenzie – Materials Science & Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Chase Dowling (Advisor: Baosen Zhang – Electrical & Computer Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Sean Ghods (Advisor: Dwayne Arola – Materials Science & Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Demi Liu (Advisor: David Ginger – Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Jonathan Onorato (Advisor: Christine Luscombe – Materials Science & Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Diana Roh (Advisor: Daniel Gamelin – Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Di Sun (Advisor: Karl Böhringer – Electrical & Computer Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Linnette Teo (Advisor: Dan Schwartz – Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Liwen Xing (Advisor: Christine Luscombe – Molecular Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Weishi Yan (Advisor: Dwayne Arola – Materials Science & Engineering)
2018-19
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Neal Dawson-Elli (Advisor: Venkat Subramanian - Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Yunping Huang (Advisor: Christine Luscombe – Materials Science & Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Mary Cecilia Johnson (Advisor: Brandi Cossairt – Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Robert Masse (Advisor: Guozhong Cao – Materials Science & Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Sawyer Morgan (Advisor: Minoru Taya – Mechanical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Viktoria Pakhnyuk (Advisor: Christine Luscombe – Materials Science & Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Caitlin Parke (Advisor: Venkat Subramanian – Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Chintan Pathak (Advisor: Don MacKenzie – Civil Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Anamol Pundle (Advisor: John Kramlich – Mechanical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
David Ung (Advisor: Brandi Cossairt – Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Jonathan Witt (Advisor: Eric Stuve – Chemical Engineering)
2017-18
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Kathryn Corp (Advisor: Cody Schlenker – Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Lucas Flagg (Advisor: David Ginger – Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Joshua Mutch (Advisor: Jiun-Haw Chu – Physics)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Jake Precht (Advisor: David Ginger – Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Jay Rutherford (Advisor: Jonathan Posner – Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Emily Rabe (Advisor: Cody Schlenker – Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Ryan Stoddard (Advisor: Hugh Hillhouse – Chemical Engineering)

Torrance Science Policy Analysis Track

Purpose

Long-term clean energy adoption is impacted by public policy. STEM knowledge is a critical component for developing effective clean energy and decarbonization policy at every level of government. The Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS) was created by the legislature to provide non-advocacy science analysis to inform policy decisions across the state of Washington. Working with WSAS and the CEI Policy Analyst in Residence, the Science Policy Analysis Track will provide students with:

  • Experience in communicating STEM ideas to decision-makers with broad technical and non-technical backgrounds.
  • Insight into real-world policy processes and exposure to policy makers and staff.
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy

Program Details

WSAS receives regular requests for fast-turnaround technical policy briefs during legislative sessions, but also develops whitepapers in anticipation of needs by government agencies, offices, or community organizations. As part of their 20-hour time commitment, students in this track will be expected to participate in relevant meetings and contribute to the writing of technical policy briefings and white papers in collaboration with WSAS staff. Quick turnaround technical policy briefings will be approximately one to two pages, and a white paper may be several pages and involve multiple writers. When possible, students will directly engage with policy makers and key staff.

Program Director: Dan Schwartz, UW Clean Energy Institute director

Contact: ceiapps@uw.edu

Science Policy Analysts

2023-24
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Tyson Carr (Advisor: Cody Schlenker — Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Spencer Cira (Advisor: Hugh Hillhouse — Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Rose Lee (Advisor: Dan Schwartz — Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Duncan Reece (Advisor: David Bergsman – Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Aaron Thomas (Advisor: Jun Liu — Materials Science & Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Liam Wrigley (Advisor: Cody Schlenker — Chemistry)
2022-23
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Anthony Gironda (Advisor: Gerald Seidler - Material Science and Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Rose Johnson (Advisor: Lih Lin - Electrical & Computer Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Trey Pichon (Advisor: Suzie Pun - Bioengineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Justin Pothoof (Advisor: David Ginger – Chemistry)
2021-22
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Heather Harrington (Advisor: Alejandro Garcia - Physics)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Zainab Patel (Advisor: Lucas Meza - Mechanical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Ramsess Quezada (Advisor: David Ginger - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Michael Riehs (Advisor: Alexandra Velian - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Kate Sievers (Advisor: Jessica Kaminsky - Civil & Environmental Engineering)
Lane Smith Headshot
Lane Smith (Advisor: Daniel Kirschen - Electrical & Computer Engineering)
2020-21
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Brittany Bishop (Advisor: Vincent Holmberg - Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Martin Brischetto (Advisor: Jihui Yang - Materials Science & Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Erica Eggleton (Advisor: Dan Schwartz - Chemical Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Miguel González-Montijo (Advisor: Richard Wiebe - Civil & Environmental Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Giang Le (Advisor: Stuart Adler - Chemical Engineering)
Yohan Min
Yohan Min (Advisor: Hyun-Woo "Chris" Lee - Built Environment)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Ben Mitchell (Advisor: Alexandra Velian - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Sarah Pristash (Advisor: Cody Schlenker - Chemistry)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Breena Sperry (Advisor: Christine Luscombe - Materials Science & Engineering)
, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy
Parker Steichen (Advisor: Jihui Yang - Materials Science & Engineering)
Jonathan Witt
Jonathan Witt (Advisor: Stuart Adler - Chemical Engineering)

Application

Both programs are open to UW STEM doctoral students enrolled for the full 2023-2024 academic year. Interested UW doctoral students must submit their CV and a 1-page cover letter. The CV should include the applicant’s anticipated graduation date.

The most competitive candidates will convey the following in their application: (1) why they are interested in the professional development this program offers, (2) how participation in this program will be of personal benefit, (3) their research record, work experience and skills, and (4) their potential to extend their current knowledge and skills to new and diverse sets of problems.

2023-24 AXP Application

Faculty Approval Form for 2023-2024 AXP Applicants

*Advisors need to fill out a (very) brief form indicating their support for their student’s application. (recommendation letters are not required). Deadline for applications and form from advisor is also 11:59 pm July 21st 2023

Decision letters will be sent by August 7, 2023.

The scoring rubric for AXP applications can be found here.

Questions? Contact ceiapps@uw.edu.

Funding

Thank you to the Mark Torrance Foundation for creating this unique professional development opportunity for clean energy students.

, Advanced Experience Program in Clean Energy