Ms. Applegate has nearly 20 years of experience in the energy industry working in utilities electric generation, natural gas regulation, and renewable energy. She has worked in many roles including natural gas regulation, engineering, pipeline integrity, and operations with an emphasis in strategic planning. Currently she works with the Public Utilities Commission and the State Legislature on energy policy.

What inspired you to explore STEM when you were young?

I was fortunate to have parents that encouraged me to ask questions and seek answers. My father was a veterinarian and I got to tag along with him on calls. I got to see science in action. My parents encouraged me to continue learning about science and challenged me to challenge myself in math. I learned to love the logic behind it.

What do you enjoy most about what you do in your STEM career?

My role is the intersection of engineering, operations, policy and people. I have the role of taking complex regulation and interpreting that into actions and operations. Every day is different and we are tackling the hard questions around energy.

What is an interesting fact you would like to share with students about your STEM field?

The energy sector has so many interesting technical roles. Energy and particularly utilities are using cutting edge technology to improve operations, metering, and emissions reductions.