Early-Career Spotlight: From Astrophysics to Applied Artificial Intelligence, Hilary Egan Charts a Creative Path Through Science
Hilary Egan’s journey in science reflects a blend of curiosity and adaptability, guiding her from astrophysics to applied artificial intelligence. Since 2020, she has been a data scientist at NREL, contributing to energy solutions with computational methods and AI. Outside the lab, she enjoys outdoor activities like paddleboarding, climbing, and biking, balancing her scientific interests with an active lifestyle.
A Nonlinear Path Fueled by Computational Curiosity
Born in Germany to Canadian parents and having lived across Canada and the U.S., Egan’s academic journey began at Michigan State University. She majored in physics with minors in math and computer science. Early lab work in experimental physics taught her that hands-on experiments weren’t the best fit, steering her toward computational physics. Working at the university’s high-performance computing center and an astronomy lab sparked her passion for computational research.
This passion led her to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics and planetary science at the University of Colorado Boulder, focusing heavily on computation. Her academic path reflects a desire to connect diverse scientific interests through computational tools.
From Fellowship to a Career at a National Lab
Egan’s graduate studies were supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship, which introduced her to national labs. During an internship at NREL, she worked on AI projects to predict data center loads in alignment with renewable energy availability, a role that combined her computational skills with emerging AI technologies.
After completing her Ph.D., she returned to NREL, where her work spans applied AI and computational science across multiple energy challenges. Her projects include improving energy efficiency in data centers, accelerating building retrofits with AI, and developing autonomous laboratory systems. Currently, she is detailed to the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, helping coordinate an agencywide AI strategy.
Continuous Learning and Communication
Egan values the opportunity to explore different scientific areas rather than limiting herself to a narrow specialty. She appreciates working with passionate colleagues who share a commitment to energy innovation.
Clear communication is a skill she prioritizes, developed through diverse experiences—from writing-focused liberal arts courses to science blogging and community theater. Receiving feedback from varied audiences helps her refine how she conveys complex ideas effectively.
Life Beyond the Lab
Her curiosity extends beyond science into a wide range of hobbies. Egan enjoys climbing, mountain biking, birding, paddleboarding, and has a long history with competitive ultimate frisbee both as a player and coach. Recently, she’s taken up sewing and pottery, treating her free time like an adventurous summer camp.
Hilary Egan’s path—from computational astrophysics to AI-driven energy solutions—demonstrates how diverse skills and interests can intersect to solve practical problems. Her work exemplifies a commitment to innovation through exploration and clear communication.
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