RISE 2019 Conference

Transforming University Engagement In Pre- and Post-Disaster Environments: Lessons from Puerto Rico

Daniel Soto

Assistant Professor

Sonoma State University

 

havidan rodriguez photo

Daniel Soto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Planning at Sonoma State University where he teaches classes on energy, efficiency, and the environment.  Daniel earned a Ph.D. in Applied Physics and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, and an M.S. in Physics from San Francisco State University.  Prior to his graduate studies, he spent several years in industry developing micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems for laser displays and communications.  Daniel conducted postdoctoral research at The Earth Institute at Columbia University on customer behavior in solar micro-grids in Mali and Uganda.  His publications include modeled and observed costs of power beyond the grid as well as customer behavior.  In addition to his long-standing interest in climate change mitigation, he is interested in adaption and would like to glean as much from the Northern California wildfires and rebuilding efforts to help other communities at the edge of climate change.  Daniel is on the technical advisory board of the Santa Rosa Junior College microgrid grant to establish the technical and economic value of microgrids to the college and utility.  To prepare students for the challenging work of our energy transition, he provides active and project-based learning in his classes as well as information technology.