Selma Sharaf

Selma performs modeling and analysis related to topics such as resource planning, wholesale markets, storage, and energy-related emissions. Her recent work includes capacity expansion and resource adequacy modeling, analyzing price suppression effects of solar and storage, and exploring emerging issues such as data center growth. Selma joined Synapse in 2022 as a Research Associate, left in 2023 to pursue a Master's of Science in Atmosphere & Energy, and returned in 2025 as an Associate. Before returning to Synapse in 2025, Selma worked as a research assistant in the Stanford Energy Control Lab and a teaching assistant for Stanford courses including “Electric System Planning with Emerging Generation Technologies,” “Electricity Economics,” and “Extreme Energy Efficiency.” She also served as the 2024 Shultz Fellow in Market Analysis and Forecasting at CAISO.

Prior to joining Synapse in 2022, Selma worked as a Clean Energy Intern at ADL Ventures, helping to commercialize decarbonization technologies. Previously, she served as a Research Associate Intern at Sustainable Energy Advantage, where she carried out modeling and analysis on topics such as electrification forecasting, alternative fuels, and the electric vehicle market in the US Northeast. She has also conducted research with the Atmospheric Chemistry and Composition Modeling Group and Resilient Infrastructure Networks Lab at MIT, has served in multiple climate action intern roles, and co-directed the 2022 MIT Energy Conference Tech Showcase. For her senior capstone, Selma collaborated with team members to explore farm-level optimization of an offshore wind project. 

Selma holds an M.S. in Atmosphere & Energy from Stanford University and a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from MIT.