Dr. Paulina Jaramillo, Member of the board & Research Fellow

Originally from Medellin - Colombia, Prof. Paulina Jaramillo is a naturalized citizen of the U.S., where she has lived more than half her life. She is currently a Professor of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Prof. Jaramillo is also the co-director of the Green Design Institute at CMU, a fellow of the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and Research at CMU, and a research affiliate of the Kigali Collaborative Research Center. She also holds a courtesy appointment in CMU Africa. Finally, Prof. Jaramillo was a coordinating lead author for the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report as part of Working Group III. Prof. Jaramillo’s past research focused on life cycle assessment of energy systems with an emphasis on climate change impacts and mitigation research. As a professor at CMU, she is currently involved in multi-disciplinary research projects to better understand the social, economic, and environmental implications of transitions in the U.S. energy system. Prof. Jaramillo’s research and education efforts also include issues related to energy access and development in the Global South. Prof. Jaramillo’s interest in energy for the Global South stems from her firm belief that what happens in developing countries as they try to provide energy that supports development will have profound implications in global environmental systems. There is an opportunity, however, to build sustainable and equitable modern energy systems that benefit from decades of technological development and experience elsewhere while accounting for local conditions and stakeholder interests. Through her research, Prof. Jaramillo aims to create the knowledge that will be required to meet global energy needs and climate mitigation efforts.