Christian Casillas (2011)

Fellowship Year: 2011
Academic Background: UC Berkeley - Ph.D. - (Energy and Resources)
Christian’s research explores rural poverty and marginalization. Much of his work over the last seven years has focused on understanding how electrification using renewable energy sources can complement development goals in rural communities. His dissertation research is based on the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua, and he has been involved in various aspects of design, testing, and implementation of renewable energy systems in the United States, Central and South America, and Africa. Christian is also passionate about the role of education and innovative learning methods for empowering marginalized communities. Part of his dissertation research explores the efficacy of collaborative game playing with rural fishers and farmers as a means of strengthening local knowledge and exploring new decision making strategies. Christian has worked as an atmospheric and ocean research scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and has served in the U.S. Peace Corps teaching math and science in rural Namibia. He has an environmental engineering degree from Harvard University, a master’s degree in applied mathematics from Johns Hopkins University, and is a doctoral candidate in the Energy and Resources Group at UC Berkeley.
Expertise: Energy & Climate Change, Environmental Education