Daniel Tkacik

Daniel Tkacik (pronounced Ta-chick) is the Executive Director of the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). He earned a Ph.D. (2013) and M.S. (2010) in Civil and Environmental Engineering from CMU, preceded by a B.S. (2008) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow during his Ph.D., Tkacik investigated air pollution from combustion systems and secondary organic aerosols, later conducting postdoctoral fieldwork on methane emissions from natural gas facilities (2013–2014).

His research contributes to understanding greenhouse gas emissions and energy-environment intersections. Tkacik transitioned to communications leadership in 2014 as a Communications Manager for the College of Engineering before becoming Executive Director in 2022. He is recognized in Pennsylvania’s 2023 Energy & Environment Power 100 for his influence in energy innovation.

Key roles:

• Executive Director, Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation (2022–present)
• Communications Manager, CMU College of Engineering (2014–2022)
• Postdoctoral Researcher on methane emissions (2013–2014)
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (Ph.D. period)

Scientific awards:

• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
• 2023 Energy & Environment Power 100 (City & State Pennsylvania)