Technical Policy Analyst II
- PHD, 2021, Rutgers University
- MS, 2014, University of Iowa
- BS, 2012, South China Agricultural Universtiy
Xiaodan Chen is a Technical Policy Analyst at USD's Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC). Chen supports EPIC's geospatial analysis, including climate energy indexes, energy and climate indicators, and other analysis using geographical information systems (GIS). She also conducts benefit cost analyses for climate action plans and other greenhouse gas reduction policies, and supports EPIC's other climate action planning work.
Before joining EPIC, Chen worked as a Research Data Analyst in the Geologic Energy Management Division at the California Department of Conservation where she conducted data analysis on oil and gas facilities in Southern California to facilitate inspection and enforcement, and to support methane leak detection. She received a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Rutgers University. Her research interests include environmental and economic life cycle assessment, sustainable and resilient transportation infrastructure, and climate change impacts and adaptation. Chen has a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa and a bachelor's degree from South China Agriculture University.