Joy Atieno Adul
Pennsylvania State University
State College,USA
15
years of professional experience
Doctoral Researcher advancing energy and mineral engineering research through DFT simulations, electronic structure analysis, and predictive modeling. Investigates CO₂ reduction, photocatalysts for water splitting, and energy systems optimization to improve fuel performance, catalytic selectivity, and sustainability. Connects atomic-scale materials work with climate–energy analysis to support next-generation clean energy solutions.
Work History
Doctoral Researcher
4 Years 9 Months- Evaluate [number]% selectivity gains in photocatalyst screening while studying hydrogen and oxygen evolution for clean fuel production.
- Model [number] CO₂ reduction reaction pathways per project using DFT-based analysis to guide catalytic material design.
- Conduct DFT-based electronic structure analysis to compare catalytic materials for CO₂ reduction efficiency and selectivity.
- Apply predictive modeling, statistical learning, and systems analysis to assess energy systems, fuel performance, and climate-energy interactions.
- Translate computational findings into sustainable energy and fuels insights, supporting clean fuel research across multiple catalyst and system contexts.
Senior Energy and Business Development Consultant
1 Year- Directed renewable energy project delivery and business development, completing 20+ successful installations across client engagements.
- Built partnerships with governments and industries to advance clean energy adoption and expand stakeholder engagement.
- Applied renewable energy market analysis to identify opportunities and support business development discussions.
- Supported clean energy adoption efforts through coordination with public and private stakeholders.
- Contributed to energy policy analysis that informed clean energy positioning and partnership discussions.
Business Development and Technical Manager
1 Year- Expanded renewable energy market presence in Sub-Saharan Africa, securing 5 major contracts through targeted business development and stakeholder engagement.
- Provided technical support on energy solutions to address client requirements and strengthen delivery across regional initiatives.
- Trained regional teams on energy solutions, improving consistency in technical understanding and field execution.
- Supported market entry strategy for renewable energy opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa by aligning technical input with commercial priorities.
- Balanced technical and commercial responsibilities by translating energy solution capabilities into client-ready proposals and partnership discussions.
Senior Energy Consultant
3 Years- Applied Python, MATLAB, and R to strengthen energy systems analysis, life cycle assessment, and renewable energy market analysis.
- Supported stakeholder engagement and partnership development across renewable energy projects and business development discussions.
- Earned the Energy Champion Award for driving project success across renewable energy, compliance, and sustainable fuel work.
Early Career Roles
3 Years- Apply technical engineering knowledge to assess renewable energy and water system needs and translate findings into sales conversations.
- Conduct market analysis and stakeholder engagement to identify opportunities for renewable energy and water solutions.
- Contribute to business development by following up leads, supporting proposals, and maintaining client relationships.
MSc Researcher
- Designed energy-harvesting devices with piezoelectric crystals, translating research findings into practical fuel and power applications.
- Applied Python, MATLAB, and R to support computational analysis, data handling, and materials evaluation.
- Used VASP and VESTA to explore crystal structures and strengthen materials informatics for energy research.
Education
PhD - Energy and Minerals Engineering
Master of Science - Sustainable Energy
Bachelor of Engineering - Chemical and Process Engineering
Skills
Python
MATLAB
R
VASP
VESTA
Computational chemistry
Materials informatics
Renewable energy project management
Stakeholder engagement
Business development
Partnership development
Renewable energy market analysis
Market entry strategy
Energy policy analysis
Energy systems analysis
Life cycle assessment
Climate-energy analysis
Sustainability reporting
Environmental impact assessment
GRANTS & AWARDS
- Leone Family Foundation Scholarship, Pennsylvania State University, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Scholarship, Pennsylvania State University, Earth and Mineral Sciences Travel Award, Pennsylvania State University, Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, Pennsylvania State University, Chevening scholarship by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, University of Glasgow
- Best MSc Project, Medical & Industrial Ultrasonic Group, University of Glasgow, Energy Efficiency Champion Award, Tectonic Construction Ltd., Gold & Silver Awards, Presidential Award Scheme, Kenya
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
- JA Adul, NY Dzade. Catalytic and Environmental Applications of Calcium Copper Titanate (CaCu3Ti4O12): A Comprehensive Review. Photochem.
- Adul, J, JA Adul, HI Eya, N Mishra, NY Dzade. DFT Insights into the Optoelectronic, Valence Band Photoemission Spectra, and Interface Band Alignment Properties of Zn3P2 Solar Absorber. Materials Today Communications.
- Obringer, R., Adul, J., and Kumar, R. Harnessing Machine Learning to Investigate Climate Change Impacts on Renewable Energy Systems in the United States. EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, EGU25-12776.
- Adul, J., Chiluveru, V., and Obringer, R. Urban scaling of water and electricity demand across the USA. Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability.
- Adul, J., Kumar, R., and Obringer, R. Ensemble modeling of the climate-energy nexus for renewable energy generation across multiple US states. Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability.
- Surface-dependent Carbon Dioxide Adsorption and Activation on Calcium Copper Titanate (CCTO): A first-Principles Study – American Chemical Society, Chicago, IL (2026)
- Photocatalytic Properties of Calcium Copper Titanate (CaCu3 Ti4 O12 ): Insights from First-Principles Density Functional Theory – Materials Research Society, Honolulu, HI (2026)
- Photocatalytic Properties of Calcium Copper Titanate (CaCu3 Ti4 O12 ): Insights from First-Principles Density Functional Theory – Materials Day, State College, PA (2025)
- Modeling the Impact of Climate Change on Renewable Energy Generation in the USA – Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. (2023).
- Ensemble Modeling of the Climate – Energy Nexus for Renewable Energy Generation Across Multiple U.S. States – CERAWeek, Houston, Texas (2025)
Timeline
Doctoral Researcher
Pennsylvania State University
01.2022 - CurrentRead More
Senior Energy and Business Development Consultant
Collective Energy Africa
01.2021 - 01.2022Read More
Business Development and Technical Manager
Zenner International GmbH & Co.KG
01.2020 - 01.2021Read More
Senior Energy Consultant
Tectonic Construction Ltd.
01.2017 - 01.2020Read More
MSc Researcher
University of Glasgow
01.2017 Read More
Early Career Roles
01.2012 - 01.2015Read More
Moi University
Bachelor of Engineering from Chemical and Process Engineering
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University of Glasgow
Master of Science from Sustainable Energy
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The Penn State University
PhD from Energy and Minerals Engineering
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