Chenhan Shao

Chenhan Shao is a doctoral student in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) at MIT and a graduate researcher at the MIT Sustainable Urbanization Lab. Her research focuses on policy evaluation and behavioral mechanisms related to climate change in the built environment. Currently, she is involved in projects investigating climate mitigation strategies in the building sector, such as portfolio decarbonization pathway modeling and household heat pump adoption, and assessing climate adaptation capacities for managing hazardous events like floods and hurricanes. Before joining DUSP, Chenhan worked as a research associate in Louisiana, focusing on coastal restoration, offshore wind energy development, and water management industries.

Chenhan holds a Master of Public Policy with a concentration in Energy and Environmental Policy from Duke University. She also earned an Honors Bachelor of Social Sciences in Government and International Relations from Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College.