Shreyaa Raghavan: Solving Climate Change with Code
From Puzzles to a Career in Computer Science
Shreyaa Raghavan’s journey into solving some of the world’s toughest challenges started with a simple love for puzzles. By high school, her knack for problem-solving naturally drew her to computer science. Through her participation in an entrepreneurship and leadership program, she built apps and twice made it to the semifinals of the program’s global competition.
From Building Apps to Solving Societal Challenges
Her early successes made a computer science career seem like an obvious choice, but Raghavan says a significant competing interest left her torn. "Computer science sparks that puzzle-, problem-solving part of my brain," she says. "But while I always felt like building mobile apps was a fun little hobby, it didn’t feel like I was directly solving societal challenges."
Breaking into the Field of Renewable Energy
Her perspective shifted when, as an MIT undergraduate, Raghavan participated in an Undergraduate Research Opportunity in the Photovoltaic Research Laboratory, now known as the Accelerated Materials Laboratory for Sustainability. There, she discovered how computational techniques like machine learning could optimize materials for solar panels — a direct application of her skills toward mitigating climate change.
Unlocking the Potential of Machine Learning in Transportation
With her sights set on applying machine learning and optimization to energy and climate, Raghavan joined Cathy Wu’s lab when she started her PhD in 2023. The lab focuses on building more sustainable transportation systems, a field that resonated with Raghavan due to its universal impact and its outsized role in climate change — transportation accounts for roughly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Achievements and Recognition
Raghavan’s contributions have been recognized with the Accenture Fellowship, a cornerstone of the MIT-Accenture Convergence Initiative for Industry and Technology. As an Accenture Fellow, she is exploring the potential impact of technologies for avoiding stop-and-go traffic and its emissions, using systems such as networked autonomous vehicles and digital speed limits that vary according to traffic conditions.
Conclusion
Shreyaa Raghavan’s journey is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the impact that can be made by applying technical skills to solve real-world problems. Her work in the field of sustainable transportation is a shining example of the potential for innovation and progress in the fight against climate change.
FAQs
Q: What sparked Shreyaa Raghavan’s interest in computer science?
A: Her love for puzzles and problem-solving.
Q: How did she get involved in the field of renewable energy?
A: Through an Undergraduate Research Opportunity in the Photovoltaic Research Laboratory.
Q: What is she currently working on as an Accenture Fellow?
A: Exploring the potential impact of technologies for avoiding stop-and-go traffic and its emissions.
Q: What does she think is the key to solving climate change?
A: Collaboration across disciplines and industries.
