Kelly Wang

Hello! I’m a junior concentrating in statistics with a minor in mathematics. I’m interested in the intersection of statistical modeling/learning and economics/finance. My research focuses on applying those interests to topics associated with climate change and geospatial analysis. Currently, I’m working on the question of how robust our energy systems are to handle a scaled-up version of renewable energy.

Before college, I had never formally done research, so as a freshman, I began cold-emailing professors who were offering research assistantships. The process was daunting, and there were days of agonizing over my emails before I could hit “send”. Some came back as rejections, but I was accepted into Professor Kimbrough’s Climate Decisions Lab, who I’ve been working with ever since. Afterwards, talking with an RPA and other undergraduate researchers helped me realize I wasn’t alone in this process.

Penn’s research community is expansive with many opportunities catered to your interests, so feel free to contact me to talk about what programs would best fit into your academic/career goals.

Research Positions:

• Research Assistant, Prof. Kimbrough’s Climate Decisions Lab (2021-Present)
• Data Analyst Intern, Philadelphia’s Office of the City Controller (Summer 2022)
• Wharton Research Scholar (2023)