Project

DigiCARES is a transformative initiative designed to strengthen energy system planning and operations across New Mexico, Montana, Oklahoma, and Alabama. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, digital twin technology, and renewable energy solutions, the project aims to directly benefit communities in these regions.

The goals of DigiCARES are to optimize energy utilization, expand renewable energy integration, and enhance climate resilience. At the same time, the project places strong emphasis on workforce development in AI and energy systems, while fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM education.

To achieve these goals, DigiCARES is developing an AI-driven digital twin that will enable communities and utilities to become more climate-aware, adaptive, and resilient.

Meet the Team

Team

The DigiCARES team began with the researchers who initiated the project and secured support from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Their ongoing work drives the scientific and technical advances that enable us to empower communities. Beyond the core research group, many others have contributed to DigiCARES through business, outreach, marketing, and operational support. Meet our team members and contributors below.

Researchers

Use the following table to find out which researchers are involved in each research area. Click on a name to go to that researcher’s profile. Below is a list of our researchers along with a link to find out more about them.

Area of Expertise	Researchers
Energy Systems and Policy	Di Shi	Patricia Sullivan	Fengyu Wang	Ying Zhang	Lee Spangler
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twin	Guoling Fan	Ying Zhang	Faraz Dadgostari	Di Shi
Climate Science and Remote Sensing	Chao Fan	Leiqiu Hu	Lulin Xue	John Christy	Robert Junod	David Dubois	Lavanya Ashokkumar
Social and Political Science	Xin Han	Shuang Zhao	Julia Haggerty	Eric Austin	Jason F. Kirksey	Erica Surova

Energy Systems and Policy
Di Shi
Patricia Sullivan
Fengyu Wang
Ying Zhang
Lee Spangler

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twin
Guoling Fan
Ying Zhang
Faraz Dadgostari
Di Shi

Climate Science and Remote Sensing
Chao Fan
Leiqiu Hu
Lulin Xue
John Christy
Robert Junod
David Dubois
Lavanya Ashokkumar

Social and Political Science
Xin Han
Shuang Zhao
Julia Haggerty
Eric Austin
Jason F. Kirksey
Erica Surova

Di Shi, Ph.D.

Associate Professor - New Mexico State University

Fengyu Wang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - New Mexico State University

Patricia Sullivan, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Strategic Initiatives - New Mexico State University

Anthony Moye, M.S.

Project Manager - New Mexico State University

Elena Fernandez, M.S.

Program Manager, Community Engagement - New Mexico State University

Chao Fan, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - New Mexico State University

David Dubois, Ph.D.

State Climatologist - New Mexico State University

Erica Surova

Director, Analytics Manager at the Center for Community Analysis - New Mexico State University

Faraz Dadgostari, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - Montana State University

Xin Han, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - Montana State University

Julia Haggerty, Ph.D.

Professor - Montana State University

Eric Austin, Ph.D.

Professor and Department Head - Montana State University

Lee Spangler, Ph.D.

Director of the Energy Research Institute - Montana State University

Ying Zhang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - Oklahoma State University

Guoling Fan, Ph.D.

Professor - Oklahoma State University

Jason F. Kirksey

Vice President, Access and Community Impact - Oklahoma State University

Gina Miller

Program Director, OK-LSAMP - Oklahoma State University

Leiqiu Hu, Ph.D.

Associate Professor - University of Alabama in Huntsville

John Christy, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor, Director of ESSC, Atmospheric and Earth Science - University of Alabama in Huntsville

Robert Junod, Ph.D.

Researcher - University of Alabama in Huntsville

Shuang Zhao, Ph.D.

Associate Professor - University of Alabama in Huntsville

Lulin Xue, Ph.D.

Project Scientist - NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research

Lavanya Ashokkumar, Ph.D.

Lecturer - University of Alabama in Huntsville

Praveen Verma, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Scientist - New Mexico State University

Lei Wang, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Scientist - Oklahoma State University

Danlu Cai, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher - University of Alabama in Huntsville