Biography

I am an Assistant Research Professor at the Department of Engineering & Public Policy (EPP) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). My research, which is described in the “Research” and “Publications” sections of this website, is aimed at understanding how new technologies can be deployed to solve society’s problems, particularly in the areas of energy and the environment. I teach a course on Climate Science and Adaptation at CMU, and run the US Association of Energy Economics’ annual Case Competition. I enjoy photography (check out the link to the “Pictures” on the left). I got my PhD in EPP at Carnegie Mellon in 2015, studying the economics of technological and policy interventions to reduce air pollution from ocean shipping and aviation. I spent a year at the University of Cambridge, getting my MPhil in Technology Policy. Before that, I worked as a strategy analyst for Shell’s natural gas business in Europe. I want to pursue a career helping people – particularly policymakers – make technically sound, economically sensible, and behaviorally-informed decisions.

Professional Positions

  • Present2017

    Assistant Research Professor

    Department of Engineering & Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University

  • 20172015

    Research Engineer

    Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University

  • 20152015

    Postdoctoral fellow

    Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University

  • 20142014

    Aviation policy intern

    Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, DC

  • 20102008

    Strategy & Portfolio Analyst

    Shell Energy Europe, Netherlands

  • 20082006

    Deployment Analyst

    Shell Singapore

  • 20062005

    Planner

    Shell Singapore

Education & Training

  • PhD 2015

    PhD in Engineering & Public Polocy

    Carnegie Mellon University

  • Master's 2011

    MPhil in Technology Policy

    University of Cambridge

  • Master's 2005

    Master of Technological Design

    National University of Singapore & Eindhoven University of Technology

  • Bachelor's 2003

    Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical)

    National University of Singapore

Honors, Awards and Grants

  • 2015
    ProSEED / Crosswalk Grants
    Awarded by Carnegie Mellon University to support experiential learning for high-school students participating in SUCCEED (SUmmer Center for Climate Energy and Environmental Decision-making)
  • 2013
    Third prize (team) at the US Association of Energy Economics’s (USAEE) Case Competition
    Mitigating Electric Vehicle Impacts on Grid Infrastructure Requirements, with Nathaniel Horner. Available here.
  • 2012
    Airport Co-operative Research Program (ACRP) Graduate Research Award
    Award by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Science to study public-sector aviation issues. Resulted in a journal paper on alternatives to main engine taxiing to reduce aircraft fuel burn.
  • 2012
    Second prize (team) at the US Association of Energy Economics’s (USAEE) Case Competition
    Assessment of Pennsylvania Natural Gas Price Support Program Candidates with Nathaniel Horner. Available here.
  • 2011
    Hughes Hall Scholarship
    This award covers tuition fees associated with pursuing a PhD at the University of Cambridge. Each year, only one student at Hughes Hall is offered this award, which I was unable to accept as I left for Carnegie Mellon to pursue my PhD.
  • 2009
    Vice President’s award from Shell Energy Europe (SEE)
    Award for work on modeling the impact of the 2009 recession in Europe on natural gas demand. The awards were presented to up to three people each quarter, from SEE’s staff of about 500.
  • 2008
    Vice President’s award from Shell Energy Europe (SEE)
    Award for work on the identification of potential bottlenecks in Europe’s gas transmission pipeline system.
  • 1999
    SIA-NOL Scholarship
    Scholarship covering all expenses for undergraduate studies at the National university of Singapore, by the Government of Singapore. About 1% of applicants were successful.
  • 1997
    National Talent Search Scholarship
    Awarded by the Government of India. Less than 1% of applicants were successful.