Empire State Fellow
NYSERDA
Albany, New York, United States
Fernando Villafuerte is an Empire State Fellow placed at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), where he is supporting the work of the Hydrogen and Clean Fuels Team. Fernando holds a PhD in Materials Science from Caltech, where his doctoral work focused primarily on the development and characterization of a novel solid polymer electrolyte for lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries. Since joining NYSERDA, Fernando has worked with his colleagues on defining and drafting the technical scope of competitive solicitations for research, development, and demonstration projects for hydrogen technologies in hard-to-electrify sectors of New York’s economy, in addition to supporting the Hydrogen and Clean Fuels Team’s ongoing efforts in studying New York’s potential hydrogen landscape. Prior to obtaining his BA in Physics from Hunter College and his subsequent academic career and Empire State Fellowship placement, Fernando spent close to five years in the non-profit sector, from a term as an AmeriCorps volunteer to working as a paralegal who assisted immigrant clients at a non-profit public defender’s office in Manhattan. Fernando hopes his current work in the hydrogen space will help New York meet its ambitious climate goals and more generally encourage sustainable modes of living, working, and transportation throughout the state.
TechTalk: Empowering New York through Hydrogen Innovation
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
11:45 AM – 12:05 PM ET