Shah Saki is a dedicated Ph.D. candidate in Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Connecticut (UConn), set to graduate in 2025. Under the guidance of Dr. Emmanouil Anagnostou, Shah’s research focuses on the critical intersection of climate change and power grid resilience.

Before joining UConn, Shah was a faculty member in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at a university in Bangladesh. This academic background, combined with a desire to deepen his expertise, led him to UConn, drawn by the stellar reputation of his supervisor and the supportive Bangladeshi community on campus.

Shah’s commitment to advancing his leadership skills brought him to the Jon Lof Leadership Academy (JLLA). After serving as a general member for a year, Shah was elected Vice President of JLLA, a role in which he is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the academy’s reputation. His vision for JLLA extends beyond the engineering community, aspiring to broaden its impact and inclusivity to reach a wider audience.

In his research, Shah is tackling the increased vulnerability of power outages and the electric grid due to heatwaves, a growing concern in our warming world. His dissertation examines how future climate conditions will impact power outages and grid resilience, bridging the gap between climate science and the power sector. The insights from his research are invaluable for policymakers and utilities, providing them with the data needed to take proactive measures to ensure grid reliability in the face of climate change.

Shah has also actively participated in significant academic conferences, presenting his work at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in December and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) in January. These platforms have allowed him to share his research with a broader scientific community and gain valuable feedback.

Looking forward, Shah plans to continue his dual focus on research and leadership within JLLA. He is committed to exploring how his work can benefit not only the academic community but also society at large. His active participation in JLLA has been instrumental in his development, providing him with a platform to hone his leadership skills, expand his professional network, and contribute more effectively to his community.

JLLA has played a crucial role in Shah’s journey, offering him opportunities for personal and professional growth. Through the program, he has gained insights into strategic decision-making, teamwork, and community engagement. These experiences have been pivotal in advancing his career and research objectives, equipping him with the skills needed to make a meaningful impact in both academia and beyond.

Shah Saki exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated researcher and a visionary leader, poised to make significant contributions to the field of environmental engineering and the broader community.