Nalini S. Rao, Ph.D. is Senior Technical Leader in the Energy and Environment Sector at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Dr. Rao leads a research program which applies quantitative approaches to ecological and water-energy issues. Her program focuses on research and development in the areas of alternative water supplies, water-power sector modeling, watershed modeling, environmental economics, climate-water issues, and data science applications to environmental issues. At EPRI, Dr. Rao’s research program delivers scientific analysis, practical guidance, decision-support software tools, resource risk management strategy evaluations, and technology assessments in the area of water resources. She has worked on water, energy, climate, and economic research in both national and international applications, and prior to coming to EPRI, Dr. Rao worked at ICF International and Conservation International. Dr. Rao has a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from Cornell University where she used both hydrological and economic analysis to examine the adoption and effectiveness of agricultural best management practices in the New York City drinking water source watersheds. She also has a Masters of Environmental Science from Yale University and a B.A. in Economics and Environmental Sciences from U.C. Berkeley.