President: Bianca MeottI

Hi everyone! My name is Bianca Meotti. I hold an M.S. in Environmental Engineering and a B.S. in Sanitary and Environmental Engineering from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Brazil. Currently, I’m pursuing my PhD in Environmental Engineering, with research focusing on environmental justice and air pollution exposure from power generation. I have the privilege of working with Dr. Fernando Garcia Menendez and Dr. Jeremiah Johnson.

As the current President of the Student Energy Club, I’m incredibly grateful to be part of such an inspiring community. Being a club officer has allowed me to meet amazing individuals who share a passion for energy, further fueling my enthusiasm for learning and contributing to this field. I’ve also had the opportunity to bring an environmental perspective to energy systems, focusing on air pollution and its health impacts.

Joining the club has not only expanded my knowledge but also helped me develop various skills and grow my network. I’m excited to continue learning, connecting with this incredible community, and bringing even more valuable content and perspectives to the club.

Co-President: Jada west

My name is Jada West, and I’m a senior at NC State, majoring in Environmental Sciences with a minor in Renewable Energy Assessment. My focus has been in water quality research and ecosystem restoration through my internships. I currently serve as co-president of the Student Energy Club, and it has been a great experience getting to meet different people from different academic backgrounds and learn about their research in the renewable energy realm.

Digital media coordinator: SHIYUE YAO

Hi there! My name is Shiyue Yao, and I’m currently a PhD candidate in Economics at NC State, with a focus on renewable energy policy and environmental economics. My research focuses on the impact of solar integration with agricultural production on groundwater sustainability and climate adaptation, using dynamic programming models to explore land-use change and resource optimization. Outside of my research, I enjoy tennis and pickleball. I’m excited to be a member of the Energy Club this year and look forward to engaging with peers on sustainable energy solutions!

Project & events coordinator: EDRIC PHAM

Hello! I’m Edric, a third-year PhD student in Industrial Systems Engineering at NC State. My research centers on data analysis and optimization within power systems, with a specific focus on developing a universal synthetic weather generator. This tool aims to better capture risk-tailed extreme weather events, supporting both vulnerability assessment for long-term planning and probabilistic forecasting in the short term. Outside of research, I’m a big fan of cooking and enjoy diving into fantasy worlds. If anyone’s ever up for a full Lord of the Rings marathon, count me in!

TREASURER: HENRY SSEMBATYA

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Civil Engineering at NC State University, specializing in power systems modeling. My research examines various uncertainties that impact the U.S. bulk electricity grid as it progresses toward decarbonization. Specifically, I study how technological advancements, hydroclimate variability, and other key factors—both independently and in combination—affect grid reliability. By quantifying these uncertainties, I aim to contribute insights that support a reliable and resilient energy future. Outside of my academic work, I enjoy hiking, traveling, jogging, exploring new cuisines, and networking.

Faculty Advisor: Jeremiah Johnson

Dr. Johnson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University. Jeremiah Johnson joined NC State in August 2017 as a Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program cluster hire in Sustainable Energy Systems and Policy. His research uses systems methods to evaluate the environmental impacts of changes to the power system, including those driven by technology (such as the integration of wind power, solar photovoltaics and energy storage) and policy. Currently, Johnson serves as the principal investigator for a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to study emissions impacts of distributed energy storage used in reliability applications.  Additionally, he is co-PI of an NSF project examining the urban food-energy-water nexus, using Detroit and Beijing as case studies. He is currently conducting experiments on university building heating and cooling systems, in an effort to reduce energy losses when their demand is altered to provide power system services. At NC State, Johnson teaches courses related to sustainable engineering, life cycle assessment, and energy systems analysis.