Edgar Virgüez is a Research Engineer in the Department of Energy Science & Engineering at Stanford University, where his work advances sustainable, low-carbon energy systems through applied research in resource modeling, assessing environmental externalities during energy transformation, and expanding energy services, integrating insights from technology, policy, and sustainability. His findings have resulted in more than 20 peer-reviewed papers with over 750 citations in leading journals, including Energy & Environmental Science and Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T). In recognition of his expertise, Dr. Virgüez serves on the Executive Editorial Board of the Environmental Research: Energy journal, and regularly reviews manuscripts for 14 journals, including Nature Communications and Nature Sustainability.
Dr. Virgüez also serves as Managing Director of the EARNEST Consortium, a ~$23 million U.S. Department of Energy-funded initiative led by Stanford University that unites 21 partner institutions across North America. The consortium comprises 18 leading universities (e.g., MIT, Princeton University), three national laboratories, and two energy-centered research organizations, with the goal of assessing the state of the U.S. electricity sector, developing open-source tools for decision-making under uncertainty, training an interdisciplinary workforce, and engaging stakeholders to deliver practical solutions for the grid of the future. Beyond EARNEST, he has collaborated with organizations such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, contributing expertise in life cycle assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and decarbonization strategies for governments and utilities across the Americas.
At the global level, Dr. Virgüez contributes to major energy and climate initiatives. As an Expert Advisor to the Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William, he reviews nominations in the Fix Our Climate category, assessing their potential for innovation, impact, and scalability toward a $1.25 million award. He also serves as an Expert Reviewer for the Schmidt Sciences Decarbonization and Energy Virtual Institute, evaluating proposals that provide $3–10 million over five years to multi-institutional teams pursuing scalable decarbonization modeling solutions.
For his professional contributions, Dr. Virgüez has received more than 20 awards totaling $34,365 in recognition of his teaching excellence, scholarly achievements, and leadership in higher education. Among his most notable honors, he was recognized by the American Geophysical Union with the Science for Solutions Award (2025), which recognizes “significant contributions in the application and use of the Earth and space sciences to solve societal problems.” As an educator, Dr. Virgüez has taught 17 courses to nearly 600 students, consistently earning outstanding evaluations. His teaching excellence has been recognized with distinctions such as the K. Patricia Cross Future Leader Award (2020) from the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the Graduate School Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2021) from Duke University. Beyond the classroom, he has authored several book chapters on pedagogical strategies that emphasize inclusive and transformative learning experiences, contributing to best practices in higher education.
In 2022, he was elected as a Young Trustee to Duke University’s Board of Trustees, the institution’s highest governing body. During his three-year term, he served on committees for Graduate and Professional Education and Research, External Engagement, Honorary Degrees, and the Young Trustee Nominating Committee, which he chaired for one year. He also contributed to Duke’s climate campaign as a member of the Climate Commitment Task Force and currently sits on the Climate Commitment Campaign Advocates Board, where he advises the university on the major philanthropic campaign on climate change.
Dr. Virgüez holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Policy with a Certificate in College Teaching (2022) and an M.A. in Environment with a Geospatial Analysis Certificate (2018) from Duke University, along with an M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering (2010) and dual B.Sc. degrees in Chemical and Environmental Engineering (2009) from Universidad de los Andes. He has also completed professional certificates in Australia, the United States, and Colombia, and has received more than $795,000 in scholarships and fellowships from competitive programs sponsored by institutions such as the Sloan Foundation and Procter & Gamble.
