Women @ Energy: Dr. Nora Wang

Dr. Nora Wang is an engineer in the Buildings & Connected Systems group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Beginning her career as an architect, Nora gained experience on international building projects and won several design competitions. While pursuing her Ph.D. at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, she led the 2007 Illinois Solar Decathlon team to win two contests in Washington D.C.  She shifted her interest to energy when she worked as a building energy consultant at the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center in Illinois. Since joining PNNL in 2010, Dr. Wang has led a variety of research projects that are critical to meeting the Department of Energy’s aggressive goals to reduce building energy use and carbon emissions. Examples include energy efficiency ratings for commercial and residential buildings, connected technologies for smart homes, and integrating occupant health and productivity with energy technologies. She also developed a vision for buildings in the next century to guide future research and development in buildings.

I have loved architecture since I was a kid. After studying architecture and working in design firms, I realized that great architecture is more than just the look of a building.  I was inspired to work in STEM by the powerful tills in building science and technology to improve many aspects of our buildings and improve the way building design affects our daily lives.

I feel empowered and motivated to help make our built environment a better place. I am creating tools and technologies to help architects and engineers design smart, high performance buildings, to help building owners and operators to reduce their building energy use and cost, to help jurisdictions and utilities to develop effective energy policies and programs. Being able to see the value of my daily contributions to my passion – buildings-- is satisfying. I am also excited that I get to collaborate with a variety of knowable researchers in science and technology. There is no end to learning.  

By demonstrating the creative side of being a scientist or engineer and creating the modern images of this generation of researchers. So often, there’s this image of someone locked away in a laboratory all day, doing some serious, tedious experiments or working with heavy-duty machines. We need to help our girls understand that engineering is broad and there are many different options for their interest and creativity. One can’t make the right decisions without adequate knowledge.

Don’t think building is just one topic! There is a lot to explore when it comes to improving how we build, operate, and upgrade our buildings.

I like drawing, painting and playing piano. I love traveling too—seeing buildings around the world is always on my agenda. Buildings can tell the story of our evolution and revolution in arts and technologies.

Learn more about our programs & resources for women and girls in STEM at http://www.energy.gov/women