Early-Career Spotlight: From Astrophysics to Applied Artificial Intelligence, Hilary Egan Charts a Creative Path Through Science
Welcome to the Materials, Chemical, and Computational Science (MCCS) Early-Career Spotlight, a monthly feature showcasing NREL's early-career researchers' interests, motivations, and achievements. This month features Hilary Egan, who has been a data scientist at NREL since 2020.
For Hilary Egan, a data scientist at NREL, a career in science was not a straight line but rather one shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a deep interest in computational problem-solving.
“I was born in Germany to Canadian parents, and we moved around a lot throughout Canada and the United States,” Egan said. “When it came time for college, I landed at Michigan State University, majoring in physics with minors in math and computer science. I dabbled in experimental physics and worked in a laser lab early on, but honestly, I was a little too clumsy for it. I wanted something that connected all my interests.”
That desire to connect the dots led Egan to computational physics, where she found her stride.
“I started working at the high-performance computing center on campus and eventually joined an astronomy lab doing computational research—I absolutely loved it,” she said. That experience inspired her to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics and planetary science at the University of Colorado Boulder, with a strong focus on computation.
From Fellowship to National Laboratory Career
Egan’s graduate work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship, a pivotal experience that introduced her to the national laboratory system.
“Through the fellowship, I had the opportunity to intern at NREL. I wanted to challenge myself and get outside my comfort zone, and NREL’s mission really resonated with me,” she said. “I was also curious about artificial intelligence (AI), which was just starting to gain momentum. During my internship, I worked on using AI to predict data center loads and align them with renewable energy availability. It was a great experience, and I was lucky to come back to NREL after finishing my Ph.D. I've been here ever since.”
Today, Egan applies her expertise in AI and computational science to a wide range of energy challenges.
“My work spans applied AI and computational methods across NREL’s mission space—from enhancing energy efficiency in data centers to using AI to accelerate building retrofits to developing autonomous laboratory systems,” she said.
This year, she is on detail to the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, where she is helping coordinate an agencywide AI strategy.
Embracing Growth, in Science and Beyond
What Egan enjoys most about her work is the constant opportunity to learn.
“I love getting to be a bit of a scientific dilettante,” she said. “I wasn’t interested in narrowing my focus to one small corner of science for my entire career. At NREL, I get to explore new areas and work with incredibly smart, passionate people who care deeply about the mission. It’s really inspiring.”
Egan credits strong communication skills as one of the most valuable tools in her professional toolkit.
“To me, scientific communication means understanding your audience, writing clearly, and giving compelling presentations,” she said. “I’ve developed those skills through everything from taking writing-focused liberal arts courses in college to writing science blogs and even doing community theater. Getting feedback from different audiences is key—it teaches you where the message isn’t landing and why.”
Outside the lab, Egan brings the same curiosity and enthusiasm to her free time.
“I’m definitely a serial hobby picker-upper,” she said. “I love climbing, mountain biking, birding, and paddleboarding. I also read constantly, and I’ve spent years playing and coaching competitive ultimate frisbee. Lately, I’ve been sewing and just started pottery classes. I kind of run my free time like a kid at summer camp!”
From astrophysics to AI-driven energy solutions, Egan exemplifies the spirit of scientific exploration and innovation that drives NREL forward.
Learn more about NREL’s computational science and AI research.
Last Updated May 28, 2025