Mary Ann Piette

Mary Ann Piette is a Staff Scientist and Director of the Building Technology and Urban Systems Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She oversees Berkeley Lab's building energy research activities with the US Department of Energy and many other R&D sponsors. She is also the Director of the Demand Response Research Center that evaluates and develops new technology to improve the capability of demand responsive end-use loads. Mary Ann is lead PI on the automated demand response technology known as OpenADR which is used in more than 10 countries around the world. OpenADR is the most prominent open standard for communication between electricity providers and customers. It has been used by more than 5000 customers in homes, large buildings, and industrial facilities. Mary Ann conducts research related to demand-response load control, open standards, building energy use, sensors, controls, information systems, and fault diagnostics, simulation, and end-use analysis. She has authored more than 170 papers on efficiency and demand response. Mary Ann has worked at Berkeley Lab since 1983 and has an MS in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley and a Licentiate in Building Services Engineering from the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.

1. What inspires you to work in STEM?

I enjoy learning about how things work. One can learn new things every day. In STEM fields we are constantly challenged to keep up with new innovation and science.

2. What excites you about your work at the Energy Department/Berkeley Lab?

Berkeley Lab has some of the most interesting science in the world! Plus, it is wonderful to be able to develop and evaluate new technology, information systems, and adoption of solutions that come from our work here at Berkeley Lab. We are also able to work with the US Department of Energy to explore the entire innovation chain in the US economy and evaluate how to impact national and even international energy use.

3. How can our country engage more women, girls, and other underrepresented groups in STEM?

One of the most important strategies to engage women, girls, and underrepresented minorities in STEM is to communicate to them what the opportunities are. These groups have fewer role models and less exposure to STEM careers and we need to get the word out on how exciting STEM fields can be!

4. Do you have tips you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

STEM education is a key element of my field of work since I'm a mechanical engineer. However, given the interdisciplinary nature of research in energy use and efficiency, I also recommend that a broad background that includes economics, behavior, and policy is important.

5. When you have free time, what are your hobbies?

I play bluegrass banjo and guitar with my family and friends. I also enjoy being outdoors, running, hiking, biking and skiing.