Keynote Speaker Highlights:
•Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems emeritus at MIT. • Special advisor to the MIT President.
•13th U.S. Secretary of Energy (2013 to 2017)
•Led an international initiative that placed energy science and technology innovation at the center of the global response to climate change. •Award for Excellence in Public Policy and Public Affairs, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2019)•Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun – Japan (2019)•Richard A. Meserve Public Service Award, Carnegie Science (2018)
•Franklin D. Roosevelt Distinguished Public Service Award (2017)
•Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator – Portugal (2015)• Member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2009 to 2013) • Member of the Defence Threat Reduction Advisory Committee (2009 to 2013) • Served on the Blue-Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future (2009 to 2013)
• Undersecretary of energy with science, energy, and nuclear security responsibilities (1997 to 2001)
•Associate director for Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy (1995 to 1997)
• Has served on a number of boards of directors and commissions involving science, energy and security.
• Founder, MIT Energy Initiative
Ernest J. Moniz
Ernest J. Moniz is the CEO of the Energy Futures Initiative and EJM Associates and the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems emeritus at MIT, as well as the special advisor to the MIT president. He served as the 13th U.S. Secretary of Energy from 2013 to January 2017. He strengthened the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) strategic partnership with its 17 national laboratories, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the broader national security establishment. Specific accomplishments include, leading an international initiative that placed energy science and technology innovation at the center of the global response to climate change, and negotiating the historic Iran nuclear agreement alongside the secretary of state. Professor Moniz previously served as undersecretary of energy from 1997 until January 2001 with science, energy, and nuclear security responsibilities. Before that, he was associate director for Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy from 1995 to 1997. He was a member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology as well as the Defence Threat Reduction Advisory Committee from 2009 to 2013. He also served on the Blue-Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future which provided advice to the president and the secretary of energy. Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Humboldt Foundation, and the American Physical Society. Professor Moniz was a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) faculty from 1973 until 2013 when he was appointed secretary of energy. At MIT, Moniz was the founding director of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) and director of the laboratory for energy and the environment. Moniz was also head of the MIT Department of Physics from 1991 to 1995 and 1997 and director of the Bates Linear Accelerator Center from 1983 to 1991. His physics research had a significant impact on energy policy and programs nationwide. Professor Moniz serves on the board of directors of both publicly traded and private companies in the energy and security sectors. He also served on the boards of several nonprofit energy industry organizations and, through EJM Associates, is a high-level advisor to several energy-related companies, investment firms, and policymakers.
He received a Bachelor of Science summa cum laude in physics from Boston College, a doctorate in theoretical physics from Stanford University, and several honorary doctorates, with some from European universities.