Titles

• Graduate Assistant Fellow, Walton Sustainability Fellowship Program, Walton SustainabilitySolutions Initiatives

Biography

Sharlissa is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology program. She studies the social and sustainability aspects of energy transitions. Her dissertation research on Desertec, the world’s largest renewable energy initiative, examines how stakeholders envision and design a regional sustainable energy system when faced with broad power and wealth disparities, heterogeneous energy needs, and deep cultural differences. Sharlissa specializes in teaching engineers about the social dimensions of technology and has taught undergraduate engineering seminars in "Technological, Social, and Sustainable Systems."

Sharlissa links research to application through her engagement in the professional science and technology policy domain. She has worked for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Science and Technology Policy Institute.  She is the President of Student Pugwash USA, a nonprofit organization that engages students and young professionals in exploring the social and policy aspects of science and technology.  She has also worked for ASU’s Senior Vice President for Knowledge Enterprise Development and the Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcomes.

Sharlissa is committed to growing the network of young scholars in her field, as evidenced by helping to organize the 2011 and 2012 STGlobal graduate student conferences and by volunteering as an editor, and later a board member, for the student Journal of Science Policy and Governance.  She demonstrated her commitment to public service as a 2010-2011 ASU Spirit of Service Scholar. 

Sharlissa earned her B.A. in astronomy with a minor in physics from Smith College.