Rodney Kizito

Rodney Kizito, PhD, currently serves as a Senior Manager at Ascend Analytics, where responsibilities include energy portfolio risk management, resource planning, and market forecasting. Previously, Rodney held the position of Technology Manager at the U.S. Department of Energy, overseeing funding programs for solar technology innovation. Additionally, contributions as an ORISE STP Fellow involved strategic guidance for renewable energy integration. Experience as an R&D Project Engineer at the National Nuclear Security Administration and a Doctoral Researcher at the University of Tennessee focused on the value of microgrids in post-disaster scenarios. Rodney's earlier roles included research and engineering positions within academic and industry settings, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy and system optimization. Educational credentials include a PhD in Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Tennessee, a Master’s from the University of Arkansas, and a Bachelor’s from the University of Pittsburgh.