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Kristen Watkins applies a holistic approach to energy research

February 14, 2025
By Yuri Bult-Ito

Kristen Watkins joined ACEP as an Arctic energy transitions research fellow in fall 2024.

Watkins is passionate about keeping our environment from harm and is excited by the prospect of furthering energy research in ��������.

Working closely with researchers Nathan Prisco of ACEP and Erin Trochim of ��������’s Institute of Northern Engineering and formerly of ACEP, Watkins’ primary project is to investigate the current infrastructure for fossil fuel to see how it could be adapted for clean energy products, especially hydrogen as an energy source.

She supports the project in various ways, including geospatial analysis — applying statistical analysis to geographical or special data. She uses geospatial tools to evaluate ��������’s potential for hydrogen delivery, which helps to identify opportunities to connect communities, lower energy costs and reduce emissions on a statewide scale. She also conducts historical research and policy review for the project.

Watkins majored in environmental studies with a focus on environmental policy at Middlebury College in Vermont, where she was exposed to a wide range of disciplines, from environmental science and geology to economics and political science. She feels her liberal arts education gave her a broad understanding of environmentalism — a movement focused on protecting the natural environment from destruction or pollution.

“Combining data science expertise with a background in environmental policy, Kristen brings a unique ability to connect technical insights with big-picture energy challenges,” Prisco said.

Prior to joining ACEP, Watkins worked as a with the USDA Economic Research Service. She digitized historic crop yield records using Python and created a dataset to analyze agricultural trends from the twentieth century.

Her work helped researchers analyze crop yields over a period of environmental disruption during the Dust Bowl — a devastating drought and dust storm that hit the American Midwest in the 1930s — and gain a better understanding of how agriculture can respond to changing environments in a world of climate disruption.

Her passion for environmentalism goes beyond her studies and jobs. She is an active participant of and an advocate for climate justice and has been involved in groups such as and environmental organizations in college.

Watkins’ interests also include the outdoors, film photography and a variety of crafts including watercolor painting and digital scrapbooking.