Professor Nathwani is the founding Executive Director, Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE). As the inaugural Ontario Research Chair in Public Policy for Sustainable Energy (2007-2020), he has led research initiatives on accelerating energy transitions for a zero-carbon economy through systems assessments of technology, financing strategies, risk management and public policy.
Professor Nathwani, is a Fellow and currently leads the Reasearch Clustre 'STEM for Global Resilience' at the Balsillie Scholl for International Affairs, (BSIA).
With Co-Director, Prof Joachim Knebel (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany), has established a platform for a Global Change Initiative - Affordable Energy for Humanity (AE4H). The consortium comprises 150+ leading STEM and social science researchers, energy access thought leaders and practitioners from 50 institutions in 30 countries committed to eradicating energy poverty by 2030.
The vision of WISE is to advance: clean energy solutions for a low-carbon economy, accessible and affordable for all. WISE brings together the expertise of all the faculties at UW to spur innovation, develop and deploy and spur innovation through multi-disciplinary research projects in collaboration with businesses, industry, governments and civil society groups.
Prior to his appointment at the University in 2007, Professor Nathwani worked in a leadership capacity in the Canadian energy sector for 30 years. He brings a unique combination of academic perspectives with extensive experience in the business sector that includes corporate planning and strategy, energy sector restructuring, integrated power system planning, environmental and regulatory policy developments, and research program management.
Professor Nathwani serves on several Boards at the provincial and national levels, has appeared frequently in the media (print, TV, radio), and has over 100 publications related to energy policy, environment and risk management, including seven books. He is a Registered Professional Engineer (PEO) in the Province of Ontario, Canada.
Education
1979: PhD, Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto
1976: MASc, Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto
1974: BASc, Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto
1968: High School: Kololo Senior Secondary School, Kampala, Uganda
