Shreyaa Raghavan’s expedition into tackling some of the globe’s most formidable issues began with a fundamental passion for challenges. By the time she reached high school, her talent for analytical thinking naturally led her to computer science. Through engaging in an entrepreneurship and leadership initiative, she developed applications and reached the semifinals of the program’s international competition twice.
Her initial achievements made a career in computer science appear to be a straightforward decision, yet Raghavan expresses that a substantial competing passion kept her conflicted.
“Computer science ignites that puzzle-, problem-solving aspect of my mind,” states Raghavan ’24, an Accenture Fellow and a PhD candidate at MIT’s Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. “But although I always perceived building mobile applications as an enjoyable little pastime, it didn’t feel like I was directly addressing societal issues.”
Her viewpoint transformed when, as an undergraduate at MIT, Raghavan took part in an Undergraduate Research Opportunity in the Photovoltaic Research Laboratory, now recognized as the Accelerated Materials Laboratory for Sustainability. There, she realized how computational methods, such as machine learning, could enhance materials for solar panels — a direct use of her expertise toward combating climate change.
“This lab had a highly varied group of individuals, some with backgrounds in computer science, some in chemistry, while others were devoted engineers. They all communicated effectively and worked towards a common objective — developing better renewable energy systems,” Raghavan explains. “It opened my eyes to the realization that I could utilize the technical tools I enjoy crafting and find satisfaction in that by helping to tackle major climate issues.”
With her focus on applying machine learning and optimization to energy and climate, Raghavan joined Cathy Wu’s lab when she embarked on her PhD in 2023. The lab concentrates on creating more sustainable transportation frameworks, a domain that resonated with Raghavan because of its universal effects and substantial role in climate change — transportation is responsible for nearly 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
“If we were to implement all of the intelligent systems we are investigating into the transportation networks, by how much could we decrease emissions?” she inquires, encapsulating a key question of her research.
Wu, an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, emphasizes the importance of Raghavan’s contributions.
“Transportation is a vital component of both the economy and climate change, so potential changes to transportation need to be meticulously examined,” Wu asserts. “Shreyaa’s research into intelligent congestion management is crucial because it employs a data-informed approach to reinforce the broader research supporting sustainability.”
Raghavan’s contributions have garnered recognition through the Accenture Fellowship, a foundational aspect of the MIT-Accenture Convergence Initiative for Industry and Technology.
As an Accenture Fellow, she is investigating the potential influence of technologies designed to prevent stop-and-go traffic and its associated emissions, utilizing systems like networked autonomous vehicles and adaptive digital speed regulations that change with traffic conditions — solutions that could promote decarbonization in the transport sector at relatively low expenses and in the short term.
Raghavan expresses her gratitude for the Accenture Fellowship not only for the assistance it affords but also because it reflects industry engagement in sustainable transportation initiatives.
“It’s vital for the transportation sector, as well as energy and climate at large, to collaborate with all types of stakeholders,” she remarks. “I believe it’s crucial for industries to be involved in addressing the incorporation of more intelligent transportation frameworks to achieve decarbonization.”
Raghavan has also obtained a fellowship supporting her research from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“I find it incredibly exciting that there’s interest from the policy perspective with the Department of Transportation and from the industrial side with Accenture,” she notes.
Raghavan asserts that tackling climate change necessitates collaboration across various disciplines. “I believe that with climate change, no single industry or field can resolve it independently. Each field needs to step up and strive to make a difference,” she remarks. “I don’t think there’s any singular solution to this issue. It’s going to require multiple different solutions from diverse individuals, perspectives, and disciplines.”
Keeping that in mind, Raghavan has been actively involved in the MIT Energy and Climate Club since joining about three years ago, which, she states, “was a fantastic way to connect with numerous individuals who are pursuing the same objectives, the same climate goals, the same passions, but from entirely different viewpoints.”
This year, Raghavan serves on the community and education team, which aims to foster the community at MIT focused on climate and energy challenges. As part of this effort, Raghavan is initiating a mentorship program for undergraduates, pairing them with graduate students who assist them in developing ideas on how they can contribute to climate efforts using their distinct expertise.
“I didn’t anticipate applying my computer science skills to energy and climate,” Raghavan shares, “so I truly want to provide other students with a clear path, or a distinct understanding of how they can get engaged.”
Raghavan has fully embraced her area of study even regarding her preferred thinking environments.
“I enjoy working on trains, buses, and planes,” she mentions. “It’s genuinely enjoyable to be in transit while addressing transportation challenges.”
Looking forward to a trip to New York to visit a relative, she feels no anxiety about the lengthy train journey.
“I know I’m going to accomplish some of my best work during those hours,” she states. “Four hours there. Four hours back.”