Sally M. Benson

Sally M. Benson is the Precourt Family Professor in the Department of Energy Resources Engineering at Stanford University's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences, with joint appointments as Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment and Precourt Institute for Energy. Her research specializes in decarbonization pathways, including geological CO₂ storage and energy system transitions. From 2021–2023, she served as Energy Division Director at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Previously, she led the Stanford Center for Carbon Storage (2013–2020) and Global Climate and Energy Project (2009–2019). She holds board positions at the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute and Breakthrough Energy Innovation Council.

Education

• Ph.D., Material Science & Mineral Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (1988)
• M.Sc., Material Science & Mineral Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (1984)
• B.A., Geology, Barnard College, Columbia University (1977)

Research Focus

Benson's work integrates experimental, computational, and policy approaches to advance carbon management. Key areas include: 1) Geological CO₂ storage, with emphasis on trapping mechanisms, monitoring, and heterogeneity impacts; 2) Energy system decarbonization through technoeconomic analysis of batteries, hydrogen, and grid integration; and 3) Climate mitigation frameworks for industrial and infrastructure transitions.

Publication Trends

Her recent articles (2022–2025) demonstrate three dominant themes: 1) Carbon storage optimization through advanced ML models, real-time monitoring, and multiscale heterogeneity studies; 2) Energy storage systems including battery recycling, sodium-ion tech, and grid flexibility; and 3) Cross-sector decarbonization of buildings, pipelines, and industrial processes. Methodologies emphasize machine learning, high-resolution imaging, and field validations.

Awards

• American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2023)

Leadership & Infrastructure

She directs the Benson Lab and co-founded Stanford's carbon initiatives including the Center for Carbon Storage and Carbon Removal Initiative. Her teams collaborate globally on subsurface characterization, energy policy, and technology deployment.