Valerie Karplus
Professor, Engineering and Public Policy
Associate Director, Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
Valerie Karplus is a professor in the Department of Engineering and Public Policy.
Karplus studies resource and environmental management in organizations operating in diverse national and industry contexts, with a focus on the role of institutions and management practices in explaining performance. Areas of expertise include decarbonization of global corporate and industrial supply chains, regional approaches to low carbon transition, and the integrated design and evaluation of energy, air quality, and climate policies. Karplus has taught courses on public policy analysis, global business strategy and organization, entrepreneurship, and the political economy of energy transitions. At CMU, she runs the Laboratory for Energy and Organizations at the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, where she is a faculty affiliate. Karplus is also a faculty affiliate of the MIT Energy Initiative, the MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, and the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change.
She has previously worked in the development policy section of the German Federal Foreign Office in Berlin, Germany, as a Robert Bosch Foundation Fellow, and in the biotechnology industry in Beijing, China, as a Luce Scholar. From 2011 to 2016, she co-founded and directed the MIT-Tsinghua China Energy and Climate Project, a five-year research effort focused on analyzing the design of energy and climate change policy in China, and its domestic and global impacts. Karplus previously served on the faculty at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Karplus holds a BS in biochemistry and political science from Yale University and a Ph.D. in engineering systems from MIT.
Education
Ph.D., Engineering Systems, MIT
B.S., Biochemistry and Political Science, Yale University
Research Interests
Media mentions
CMU Engineering
EPP research will help workers navigate evolving technology
A regional team led by EPP researchers has received ARISE funding to analyze the workforce of North and North-Central Appalachia and develop tools to match workers’ skills with evolving industry needs.
CMU Engineering
Hubs: A step towards a hydrogen future?
Hydrogen is sometimes considered a secret ingredient in the recipe for a net-zero future. As a team of Carnegie Mellon researchers points out, hydrogen offers many advantages, but it’s not a panacea.
The Hill
Karplus quoted on nuclear energy for AI
EPP’s Valerie Karplus was quoted by The Hill on major technology companies using nuclear energy in order to power their AI systems while being conscious of the environment.
Axios
Karplus quoted on the uncertainties and potentials of green hydrogen
EPP’s Valerie Karplus spoke with Axios about the viability and costs of green hydrogen.
Global Women Asia
Karplus interviewed on decarbonization and women in STEM
EPP’s Valerie Karplus was interviewed by Global Women Asia about her work concerning the intersection of energy innovation and decarbonization.
CMU Engineering
Anticipating and reducing EV battery supply disruptions
A recent study analyzes the relationship between EV battery chemistry and supply chain vulnerability for four critical minerals across particular countries that are key contributors to production.
Times West Virginian
Karplus talks West Virginia energy revolution
EPP’s Valerie Karplus spoke to the Times West Virginian about Engines, a collaborative research project with West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh that aims to reimagine West Virginia’s energy landscape.
CMU Engineering
CMU partners to reimagine energy in the region
Faculty from Carnegie Mellon University will collaborate with West Virginia University and University of Pittsburgh on a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines program.
Earth.Org
Morgan and Karplus talk carbon capture facilities
EPP’s Granger Morgan and Valerie Karplus talk about streamlining the process of building carbon capture facilities with Earth.Org. “Right now you’re looking at 6 to 10 years and up to 12 years, potentially, to get through all of these regulatory steps,” Karplus says.
CMU Engineering
Carnegie Mellon alumni fund climate adaptation research
Generous commitment from Yeming and Aaron Rankin will support research in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Scott Institute.
CMU Engineering
Quantifying barriers to establishing sequestration wells
Recent work from CMU researchers estimates the time required to develop, approve, and implement a carbon capture and sequestration site and provides insights into how this timeframe could be reduced.
Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
Carnegie Mellon alumni fund climate adaptation research
Generous commitment from Yeming and Aaron Rankin will support research in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Scott Institute.