ENERGIZE NRT: Training the Next Generation of Energy Innovators
By Maeve Smillie, Hariri Institute Staff
The escalating frequency and severity of extreme weather events like record-breaking heat waves, devastating wildfires, and catastrophic flooding are a clear indication that climate change is rapidly worsening, highlighting the critical need for innovative, sustainable energy solutions to mitigate its effects. Addressing climate change requires new strategies in how we train the next generation of researchers, equipping them with the tools to develop and implement novel energy conversion and storage technologies. ENERGIZE NRT, a new interdisciplinary program at Boston University, is tackling this need head-on.
Backed by a $3 million, five-year Research Traineeship grant (NRT) from the National Science Foundation, ENERGIZE brings together students from engineering, chemistry, computer science, and data sciences to break through traditional academic silos. Led by Malika Jeffries-EL, a College of Arts & Sciences professor of chemistry and senior associate dean of the graduate school, the program is designed to foster collaboration across disciplines, ensuring that Ph.D. and master’s students develop the broad skill set needed to advance sustainable energy research. The idea for such a program was seeded by a 2021 Hariri Institute’s Focused Research Program (FRP), led by co-PIs Emily Ryan (Engineering, CDS) and David Coker (Chemistry, CDS), which recognized early on the immense potential of data science in revolutionizing energy research.
Leveraging BU’s cutting-edge research, strong industry and government ties, and extensive professional development resources, the ENERGIZE NRT will serve as a catalyst for establishing a self-sustaining interdisciplinary Ph.D. program. Initially, ENERGIZE will support seven Ph.D. students per year for two years each, alongside 15 additional unfunded Ph.D. and master’s candidates, ultimately training 100-125 students over five years. Through this structure, the program will establish a foundation for interdisciplinary research that will persist beyond the initial funding period, integrating students into faculty-led projects and creating new opportunities for collaboration across fields.
The program is a collaborative effort between BU’s Hariri Institute for Computing and the Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS) with funding support from the Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences and the Graduate School for Arts and Sciences.
Bridging Disciplines to Tackle the Energy Crisis
When the Hariri Institute spoke to ENERGIZE PI Malika Jeffries-EL, she elaborated on the importance of taking a cross-disciplinary approach to tackling climate change. “Climate change, with its complex challenges, demands an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates data science in order to expedite testing theories,” says Jeffries-EL. “We must combine expertise across multiple fields and develop the ability to analyze vast amounts of data and make predictions to develop effective, scalable solutions”
Co-PI Emily Ryan adds, “Integrating machine learning and AI with traditional experimental research can really accelerate development—rather than doing 50 or 100 experiments, you can use data science to direct efforts and only do 10 experiments.”
“ENERGIZE NRT aims to help students in their academic journeys,” says Co-PI David Coker. “This effort is about more than just energy research—it’s about training students to think differently. Traditional disciplinary boundaries often slow down progress, but ENERGIZE NRT is designed to push students out of their academic comfort zones from the start.”
This NRT transcends academic disciplines, bringing together students and faculty from material science and data science to focus on Photochemical Conversion, Electrochemical Conversion, and Electrochemical Storage under the leadership of experts in each field. Jeffries-EL, Ryan, Coker along with ENERGIZE Co-PI Brian Kulis (ENG, ECE, SE; CS; CDS) first connected on the 2021 Hariri Institute’s Machine Learning for Chemistry & Materials Science Focused Research Program FRP, with Co-PI James Chapman (ENG, ME, MSE) later joining the team with the launch of ENERGIZE. Since the idea was seeded, these faculty have put together a highly qualified team and are currently onboarding students to bridge the gap between disciplines and solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
The Hariri Institute spoke to Co-PIs Ryan and Coker to learn more about the program.
Dr. Emily Ryan is an associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science & engineering, CDS faculty, Hariri Institute research fellow and affiliate faculty, and IGS associate director. Her research develops computational models of reactive transport, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and electrochemistry to optimize energy systems like fuel cells, batteries, diesel engines, subsurface transport, and carbon capture.
Dr. David Coker is a professor of chemistry and materials science & engineering, CDS faculty, and director of the center for computational science (CCS) at Hariri Institute. He researches controlling chemical reactions through theoretical and computational methods, focusing on how electronic and vibrational excitation influences reaction outcomes ensuring accurate modeling of quantum energy transfer in reactive systems.
What was the inspiration behind the ENERGIZE NRT?
Ryan: “We understand there’s a need to integrate computational and data science with experimental work to really move technologies and materials faster towards market and commercialization.”
Coker: “We’re at a point where energy innovation isn’t just about efficiency or sustainability—it’s about resilience, security, and maintaining a strategic edge. We wanted a program that brings together top minds to tackle these interconnected challenges.”
What are the skills students will gain by participating in this program?
Coker: “A key part of this initiative is to train the next generation of researchers in interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring they can work across chemistry, engineering, and data science.”
Ryan: “We expose students not just to their deep dive of research, but to experimental, computational, and data science methods across the board, so they have a better grasp of how they can integrate. On the professional development side, it’s working as a cohort to develop things like science communication, leadership, and time management skills.”
How will this program enable research breakthroughs?
Ryan: “There’s a lot of potential in electrochemical materials—whether for batteries, fuel cells, or even environmental applications like breaking down nanoplastics.”
Coker: “There’s a real opportunity to revolutionize energy storage by moving beyond batteries and storing energy in chemical bonds instead… We’re setting up an environment where students and faculty can push boundaries, try new things, and take risks—because that’s how real breakthroughs happen.”
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Coker: “Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you—go after them. The most successful students are the ones who take initiative and push their own ideas forward. Use this time to experiment, take risks, and figure out what excites you. The projects you work on now could shape the rest of your career.”
Ryan: “Interdisciplinary and collaborative doesn’t mean one person doing everything—it means working together across fields to advance research. This program is designed to be a bonus in terms of research and professional development, not just added work.”
With the support of BU’s world-class faculty and research centers, ENERGIZE NRT represents a new frontier in energy research education—one where collaboration, data science, and interdisciplinary thinking pave the way for a more sustainable future. ENERGIZE training begins in Summer 2025. For more information, email energize@bu.edu or visit the ENERGIZE webpage.