Introduction to Priya Donti
Priya Donti, the Silverman Family Career Development Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at MIT, has a unique story that showcases her passion for addressing global inequity. Her childhood trips to India exposed her to the vast disparities in living conditions, sparking a desire to make a difference. This motivation, combined with her interest in climate and sustainability, has driven her research and teaching career.
Early Life and Education
Donti’s fascination with climate change and sustainability began in high school, where her biology teacher focused on these topics. She learned that climate change would exacerbate existing inequities, further fueling her determination to address this issue. Initially, she considered studying chemistry or materials science to develop next-generation solar panels. However, her discovery of artificial intelligence and machine learning’s potential to integrate renewables into power grids shifted her focus towards computer science.
Research and Career
Pursuing a PhD at Carnegie Mellon University, Donti designed her degree to include computer science and public policy. Her research centered on developing fundamental algorithms and tools to manage power grids relying heavily on renewables. She co-founded a nonprofit called Climate Change AI, aiming to bring together experts from various fields to access resources, connections, and education. This nonprofit has helped to accelerate progress in the climate and sustainability space.
Work at MIT
Donti joined MIT in September 2023, drawn by the institution’s initiatives applying computer science to societal problems, particularly climate change. Her work at MIT focuses on using deep learning models to incorporate the physics and hard constraints of electric power systems that employ renewables. This research aims to improve forecasting, optimization, and control of power grids. Among her breakthroughs is a promising solution for power grid operators to optimize for cost, taking into account the actual physical realities of the grid.
Breakthroughs and Recognition
Donti’s solution for power grid optimization appears to work 10 times faster and more cheaply than previous technologies, attracting the attention of grid operators. She is also developing technology to provide data for training machine learning systems for power system optimization. Donti has received several awards, including the U.S. Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship and the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. She was recognized as part of MIT Technology Review’s "35 Innovators Under 35" and Vox’s "Future Perfect 50."
Teaching and Future Plans
Next spring, Donti will co-teach a class called AI for Climate Action with other professors. She is excited about this opportunity to share her knowledge and passion with students. Donti believes that coming to MIT has provided her with an ecosystem of like-minded individuals who care about the impact of their work on society.
Conclusion
Priya Donti’s story is a testament to the power of passion and determination in driving positive change. Her research and teaching focus on addressing global inequity and climate change, inspiring a new generation of leaders to take action. Through her work at MIT and her nonprofit, Climate Change AI, Donti is making significant contributions to the field of sustainable energy and climate action.
FAQs
Q: What motivated Priya Donti to pursue a career in sustainable energy and climate action?
A: Donti’s childhood trips to India exposed her to vast disparities in living conditions, sparking a desire to address global inequity and climate change.
Q: What is the focus of Priya Donti’s research at MIT?
A: Donti’s research focuses on using deep learning models to incorporate the physics and hard constraints of electric power systems that employ renewables, aiming to improve forecasting, optimization, and control of power grids.
Q: What is Climate Change AI, and what is its purpose?
A: Climate Change AI is a nonprofit co-founded by Priya Donti, aiming to bring together experts from various fields to access resources, connections, and education, accelerating progress in the climate and sustainability space.
Q: What awards and recognition has Priya Donti received for her work?
A: Donti has received the U.S. Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, and was recognized as part of MIT Technology Review’s "35 Innovators Under 35" and Vox’s "Future Perfect 50."
