Dr. Michael Davidson

Associate Professor

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Biography

Davidson studies the engineering implications of institutional conflicts inherent in deploying low-carbon energy at scale. His work combines power systems optimization, renewable resources assessment, and social sciences methods to create feasible pathways for infrastructure transitions. He served as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School before joining UC San Diego in 2019. He earned his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to his role in the Jacobs School of Engineering, he holds an appointment at the School of Global Policy and Strategy at UC San Diego.

Research Interests

Power Systems Optimization Renewable Resources Assessment Infrastructure Policy

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).