Founded in 2006, MIT Energy Conference is the largest student-led energy & climate conference in North America. Each year, we gather hundreds of industry professionals, investors, scholars, and policymakers to present, learn and discuss pressing challenges and opportunities that redefine the future of the energy and climate sectors. Major events of the conference include keynote speeches, panel discussions, climate tech startup showcase, networking sessions, and special sessions.
The MIT Energy & Climate Club thanks our sponsors at MIT !
Office of Graduate Education
Department of Chemical Engineering
School of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
MIT Energy Initiative
Department of Civil and Environmental engineering
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Office of the Vice President for Research
Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship
School of Science
MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative
Office of Graduate Education Department of Chemical Engineering School of Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering MIT Energy Initiative Department of Civil and Environmental engineering Department of Materials Science and Engineering Office of the Vice President for Research Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship School of Science MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative
MEET THE TEAM
Managing Directors
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Andrew Grabowski
Andrew Grabowski is a System Design and Management master’s student at MIT. He currently is a researcher for the Lab for Aviation and the Environment working with the Zero Impact Aviation Alliance driving sustainable aviation initiatives. Before MIT, Andrew was a product manager for System Engineering tools at The MathWorks. He worked as an Energy Conference Panel Director in 2024 discussing workforce transition topics. On his off time, Andrew enjoys sailing on the Charles River.
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Sofia Karagianni
Sofia is a first year MBA student at MIT Sloan School of Management focusing on all things climate tech and finance. Prior to MIT, Sofia worked as a finance policy expert for Cleantech for Europe, a policy network of Europe's foremost climate tech investors and climate tech scale-up companies aiming to help Europe reach its green industrial goals. She is a qualified lawyer (Athens Bar Association, Greece) and before joining Cleantech for Europe, she worked on EU climate and financial policy with leading international law firm K&L Gates in Brussels. Sofia is a member of the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum. She is passionate about diversity and inclusion and has co-founded two initiatives focused on women’s economic empowerment.
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Allison Kammert
Allison is a second year MBA student at MIT Sloan. Prior to graduate school, Allison spent time working as a product manager at an NYC-based insurtech startup and on the distributed solar strategy team at a solar EPC based in Mumbai, India. She is interested in using data and software to expedite the development and deployment of clean energy tech. Outside of MITEC, she enjoys creative writing and exploring cheap eats in Brooklyn and Boston.
Operations Directors
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Dilin Meloni
Hello! My name is Dilin Meloni and I'm currently a 2nd year undergrad studying nuclear engineering and physics at MIT. I joined the conference due to my great interest in developing the energy environment - mainly through the use and exploration of fusion energy. Outside of academics I am a member of the men's varsity soccer team. At the conference I will be acting as an operations director, so I hope to see you all there!
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Ingemar Falcones
Ingemar Falcones was born and raised in Paramus, NJ and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Ingemar launched his career within manufacturing at ExxonMobil, where he worked in production and supply chain coordination for the Baton Rouge Plastics Plant. Ingemar then switched to Deloitte to consult in the federal energy sector, where he supported clients to strategically plan for the energy transition while operationally managing their supply chain networks and procuring critical materials for emerging sources of energy. Outside of his professional endeavors, Ingemar enjoys planning events, and he plays on a travel kickball team.
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Josh Souza
Josh is a graduate student at MIT, pursuing an M.S. in Engineering and Management through the System Design and Management program. He is also currently the Lead Systems Engineer at Commonwealth Fusion Systems, where he leads interdisciplinary science and engineering teams advancing fusion energy technology.
Finance Directors
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Li Xuan Tan
Li Xuan is a 4th year undergraduate currently studying mathematics and computer science at MIT. Before that, he had never been to the United States or experienced wintertime, having lived in Malaysia all his life. Currently, he works as a reactor operator and student researcher at the MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory, and plans to pursue a master's degree in computer science after graduation. Li Xuan is interested in ways to make sustainable power plants (especially nuclear power) more technically and economically viable, and splits his other academic interests between neutronics, digital design and number theory. Outside of school, he likes basketball, badminton and Southeast Asian food.
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Nobu Kagawa
Nobu Kagawa is a second-year MBA candidate at MIT Sloan School of Management. Prior to MIT, he spent several years at NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading telecommunications company, gaining diverse experience across sales, accounting, and business development. He also served a two-year secondment at Japan's Financial Services Agency, contributing to policy initiatives. Nobu interned at a venture capital firm, where he conducted research on climate tech startups, deepening his interest in the sustainability sector. Outside of his professional and academic pursuits, Nobu enjoys playing tennis and golf.
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Thomas Hoyt
Tom Hoyt is a second-year System Design and Management graduate student at MIT. His current research involves understanding risk awareness and communication in flooding and coastal emergencies in New England. He is also a U.S. Army engineering officer and most recently worked in building infrastructure projects in Jordan. In his free time, Tom enjoys scuba diving and spending time with his wife and son.
Marketing Directors
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Catalina Garza
Catalina is a second-year masters' student pursuing an MBA and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering at MIT. She graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. After she graduated, she started working at the Boston Consulting Group, where she was involved in strategy cases across a variety of industries and practice areas. She was also an intern at NextEra Energy where she focused on studying battery degradation of storage sites at the utility scale. Catalina is passionate about the decarbonization of companies and the grid.
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Hara Moraitaki
Hara is a third-year undergraduate student at MIT, studying Computer Science and Engineering. She has previously served as Marketing Director of the MIT Energy Club and is passionate about advancing sustainable energy solutions and the integration of AI in energy systems. Hara is particularly interested in fostering energy-independent communities and promoting education as a means of empowering future innovators. Outside of academics, Hara enjoys baking and listening to music on long walks.
Content Directors
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Shreeansh Agrawal
Shreeansh Agrawal is a second-year masters' student at MIT pursuing an MBA and an MEng in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He graduated from Amherst College with degrees in Mathematics and Art History. He worked for three years as an economic consultant at The Brattle Group, where he specialized in decarbonization models and investment insights. Passionate about advancing emerging technologies and navigating the rapidly-changing energy grid, Shreeansh is committed to driving progress to reach sustainability goals.
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Shon Mackie
Shon is a physics PhD candidate developing neutron detectors for fusion reactors and studying the kinetic physics of burning plasma. Before beginning his studies at MIT, he received his bachelor's degree from UCLA in physics with a minor in mathematics. He is passionate about public education regarding nuclear energy and plasma physics, and regularly volunteers his time to give tours of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center to the general public. Additionally, he has delivered public lectures at the Cambridge Museum of Science, and organized a panel on fusion energy in the 2024 MITEC.
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Daksh Arora
Daksh Arora works as a Project Engineer at GameChange Solar, specializing in the mechanical design and manufacturing of trackers and racking systems for utility-scale solar projects. He is also a fellow at the Clean Energy Leadership Institute. He holds a Master's of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University. Daksh is passionate about federal and state energy policy and has been involved with climate non-profits to advocate for the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
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Richa Vera Udayana
Richa is a Master of City Planning (MCP) candidate at MIT. A former journalist, Richa began their career working at the Hindustan Times, India’s second-largest English newspaper, as a political subeditor before pivoting to public policy research. Most recently, she worked with the Indian School of Business, spearheading impact evaluation research for public sector clients. Prior to joining MIT, Richa earned an MPA from the London School of Economics and an MA in Journalism from Cardiff University. Their research focuses on driving socially equitable development in a rapidly urbanizing, industrializing, and warming world—particularly in Global Southern contexts.
Showcase Directors
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Daniel Wang
Daniel is a 4th year PhD student in mechanical engineering. His research focuses on understanding the anode/liquid electrolyte interface to enable lithium metal batteries for EV applications. Prior to MIT, he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech and then spent a year and a half interning at Apple and Tesla. Daniel is passionate about finding new battery chemistries to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Outside of school and work, he enjoys working out, running, reading, watching movies, and baking!
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Vivek Sahay
Vivek is a 2nd year System Design and Management master’s student at MIT. He is currently a researcher with the Systems Engineering Advancement Research Initiative (SEAri), developing methods for improving decision-making within R&D organizations using a model-based approach. Before MIT, Vivek worked as a Software Engineer at Amazon on their Autonomous Delivery Robot and at MDA Systems, working on Optical Satellite Image Processing systems. He is interested in exploring how the already complex energy sector can rapidly leverage new developments from universities and startups. In his free time, Vivek enjoys exploring cities through their museums and coffee shops.
Community Director
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Annabella Gong
Annabella is a first-year MBA candidate at MIT Sloan. Prior to Sloan, she worked at Wellington Management, covering healthcare and industrial equities as a member of the investment team that manages the firm’s flagship global impact fund. Annabella holds a BA in Economics from the University of Chicago and is originally from Chapel Hill, NC.
Deputy Finance and Partnership Directors
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Audrey Lin
Audrey is a first-year undergraduate student studying electrical engineering and computer science at MIT. She is a researcher for the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE) studying device fabrication. Outside of academics, Audrey is on the varsity women's lightweight rowing team. She is passionate about energy efficiency and sustainability. Audrey hopes to explore the intersection between finding the most optimal power systems and the rise of AI/ML.
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Ashley Geohas
Ashley is a first-year undergraduate at MIT, pursuing a dual degree in Math and Finance. She is actively involved in Women Business Leaders, the Brass Rat Investments Education Program, the Figure Skating Team, and Alpha Phi sorority. She also recently worked for an AI/Fintech Startup, analyzing SEC data and contributing insights for strategic market entry. With a strong passion for sustainability, Ashley is dedicated to driving innovation in green investing and building a more eco-conscious financial future. Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Ashley likes to go to the gym and try out new restaurants.
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Justin Winuk
Justin Winuk is an MIT Sloan MBA candidate, Class of 2026, passionate about leveraging AI to mitigate climate change. In previous positions, he played a key role in a digital transformation initiative and on internal consulting engagements at Commonwealth Financial Network, and he advised private equity clients on market strategies and M&A decisions at Stax LLC.
Panel Directors
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Venk Muppaneni
Venk is a first-year MBA student at HBS. Prior to HBS, he earned his Bachelor’s in Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Tech, spent three years at Boston Consulting Group, and most recently spent a year on the Strategy team at Sila Nanotechnologies, a silicon anode startup. Venk is passionate about decarbonizing the energy system and defining the role the public sector can play in catalyzing domestic climate innovation.
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Cooper Shea
Cooper is an engineer working to decarbonize heavy industry. Alongside his work with MITEC, he works at a hydrogen company (Verne), helps organize Stanford med school climate curricula, builds demonstrations of climate technology, and writes about first principles science. He has prior experience working on sustainable aquaculture at X, the moonshot factory, solid state batteries at Blue Current, and biomedical device design and 3D printing in the DeSimone lab at Stanford.
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Diego Vermeire
Diego is a visiting student at MIT, currently working on energy system modeling at the MIT Energy Initiative. Previously, he earned a Bachelor's in Microengineering from EPFL and is pursuing a Master's in Energy Engineering at EPFL and ETHZ. With a strong interest in energy system modeling, optimization, and energy economics and markets, he has gained practical experience through internships at BNP Paribas Fortis, Luminus, and the Boston Consulting Group. In his free time, he enjoys triathlon.
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Juvencio Maeztu
Juvencio is a first-year student at MIT Sloan. Prior to MIT, Juvencio worked as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) after obtaining a Bachelor's in Economics and minor in Molecular Engineering from the University of Chicago. Juvencio is passionate about ClimateTech entrepreneurship with a particular interest in smart grids and renewable energy.
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Nithyaharini Suresh
Harini is a Master of Engineering student at MIT, specializing in Climate, Environment, and Sustainability. Prior to MIT, Harini earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Rutgers University, where she conducted three years of research on microplastics in various water matrices. Most recently, Harini was a Water Engineering Intern at HDR. Her current research focuses on optimizing renewable energy setback decisions through the integration of vertical-axis wind turbines. Harini is passionate about advancing innovative solutions to address climate change and promote a cleaner future.
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Tyler Wiik
Tyler is a first year MBA student at MIT Sloan, focusing on clean energy and sustainability. Prior to MIT, he earned his B.S. in Mathematics with an energy studies minor at Georgetown University and worked in management consulting at PwC. He is passionate about bridging the gap between clean energy innovation and commercialization to meet growing energy demand. In his free time, Tyler is passionate about cooking and all things Boston sports.
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Sarah Hernandez
Sarah is a fourth-year chemical engineering student at MIT with a passion for sustainable energy and economics. She studies electrochemical carbon dioxide separations as an MIT Climate and Sustainability Scholar, and plans to pursue graduate school. On campus, she is an Undergraduate Teaching Fellow in Terracope and is the Co-President of MIT's Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In her free time, she spends her time hiking, running, and traveling.
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Clara Christensen
Clara is a second-year MBA/MPA candidate at MIT Sloan School and Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to graduate studies, Clara worked as a Strategy Consultant at Innosight Consulting and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Economics from London School of Economics (LSE). Passionate about advancing decarbonization in the energy sector, Clara is excited to find holistic solutions to climate change.
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Katherine Bancroft
Katherine is a first-year MBA student at MIT Sloan. Prior to Sloan, Katherine was a Climate & Sustainability Consultant at BCG where she specialized in climate finance and completed a secondment at Virgin Unite helping launch the Planetary Guardians collective. Katherine holds a B.A.Sc. in Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto.
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Angela Lin
Angela is a first-year undergraduate at MIT passionate about advancing clean energy technologies. She is an active member of MIT's Sustainable Engine Team, focusing on turbine design optimization. With experience in policy, fieldwork, and community organizing, Angela has worked with organizations including Patagonia, the Sierra Club, and the Charles River Watershed Association to create sustainable, community-centered solutions.
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Miguel Calvo Carrera
Miguel is a fourth year Physics PhD candidate at the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics at the Autonomous University of Madrid, and a Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He has worked in topics such as experimental fusion energy, materials for photo-assisted generation of hydrogen and topological superconductivity. On his thesis, he is working on advancing the theoretical understanding of fusion energy systems. Besides his research, he also collaborates in cultural associations and fusion energy outreach activities.
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Rachel Burton
Rachel is a first-year System Design & Management (SDM) student at MIT, a program that is split between MIT Sloan and the School of Engineering. Rachel works at Shell TechWorks, leading systems engineering and product development for projects across traditional oil and gas, hydrogen, electrification and novel energy technologies. Rachel is currently taking Climate & Energy Ventures and will focus her course selection through her masters on scaling energy technologies.
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Matt Zients
Matt Zients is a first-year MBA student at MIT Sloan. Before MIT, Matt earned his undergraduate degree in Social Policy and Engineering Design Innovation from Northwestern University. Following graduation, he joined Everytable, a mission-driven startup focused on making healthy food accessible to all. Most recently, he was at Sweetgreen, where he worked on expansion strategy to support the company’s growth. Matt is passionate about clean energy and sustainability, with a particular focus on leveraging innovation to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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Fiona Shangguan
Fiona is a sophomore undergraduate student at MIT studying Chemical Engineering. In her career, she hopes to advance sustainable practices and clean energy while also considering energy policy. This past summer, she interned at a start-up in Singapore manufacturing disinfectants based on recycled food waste. At MIT, she is involved with the MIT Energy & Climate Club Launchpad program, the Furst Lab, and MIT Consulting Group. Her hobbies include exploring new music and food, drone videography, and visiting National Parks.
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Prashant Kumar
Prashant is a second-year MS student in MIT's joint Engineering and Management program. Before joining MIT, he served as Assistant Director in the Indian Federal Ministry of Power, focusing on techno-economic policymaking and administrative responsibilities. During his tenure with the Indian Government, he also worked in the Office of the Federal Minister for Power and Renewable Energy.
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Matt Hainje
Matt recently completed graduate studies at both MIT and Harvard University focusing on supply chain management, sustainability, and engineering studies. Matt's focus has been at the cross of agriculture and energy resilience, which he has worked at since 2018 in Asia Pacific and the United States. He is a recent founder of Macro Innovation Labs, Inc. focused on ocean based biofuels and material innovation and is also a co-director to Harvards US-Asia Sustainable Development Foundation (UASDF).
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Sander de la Rambelje
Sander is a first-year System Design and Management graduate student at MIT. Previously, Sander worked in international energy policy, having spent four years in Palo Alto and two years in Boston connecting innovators and policymakers from Europe and the US to drive market transformation in building and industry decarbonization and the power sector. Sander also has an MS in Biomedical Engineering from ETH Zurich (Switzerland). When he is not engaging with a multitude of stakeholders to address the world's carbon sources, Sander enjoys hiking, skiing, photography and culturally immersive travel.
Deputy Marketing Directors
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Audrey Lin
Audrey is a first-year undergraduate student studying electrical engineering and computer science at MIT. She is a researcher for the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE) studying device fabrication. Outside of academics, Audrey is on the varsity women's lightweight rowing team. She is passionate about energy efficiency and sustainability. Audrey hopes to explore the intersection between finding the most optimal power systems and the rise of AI/ML.
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Katelyn Battacharia
Katelyn is a first-year undergrad at MIT. Prior to MIT, Katelyn was the spearheaded a successful initiative to install solar panels across her hometown school district to reduce their carbon footprint. She also started her own company dedicated to reducing aquatic microplastic emissions through sustainable clothing. At MIT, Katelyn is excited to explore fields like carbon sequestration and renewable energy as she plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering.
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Mary Ann Jin
Mary Ann is a System Design and Management master’s student at MIT. She is a researcher in the Sustainable Design Lab working on the Resilient Cities Mission for the MIT Climate Project. Prior to graduate school, Mary Ann earned her Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT and worked for 7 years as a software engineer at Google and Meta.
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Ting-Wei Chen
Ting-Wei is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on increasing the energy efficiency of turbomachinery, solar, and electronic systems. Prior to Minnesota, he led the heat transfer disciplinary at ASUS Technology and was a co-founder of a voluntary carbon credit start-up in Taiwan. Ting-Wei is passionate about inventing technologies leading to net-zero emission energy systems.