ISE Stories
Meet the students, alumni and people behind the Iceland School of Energy
Student & Alumni Stories
People come to ISE from different countries, academic backgrounds and parts of the energy sector. Explore their experiences studying in Iceland, working with industry, conducting research and building careers in energy.
Kristina Solberg
Changing careers from infrastructure engineering to renewable energy. Kristina used ISE to build new technical knowledge and redirect an established engineering career toward energy and sustainability.
Pia Milena Leminski
Combining industry experience, wind energy and international study. Pia’s time at ISE included an internship with Landsvirkjun and dual-degree studies in Canada focused on wind-energy forecasting.
Maxon Quas
Testing wind-energy technologies in challenging environments. Maxon combined his mechanical engineering background with experimental research using Reykjavík University’s wind tunnel facilities.
Bethany Bronkema, USA
From Fulbright research to sustainable energy engineering. Bethany built on her environmental research in Iceland through graduate study focused on modelling, industrial sustainability and sustainable engineering.
Andrés Laverde, Colombia
Building a geothermal career from a geoscience background. Andrés used his studies at ISE to deepen his expertise in geothermal resources, subsurface modelling and applied energy projects.
Gunnlaug Helga Ásgeirsdóttir
Connecting natural resources, energy policy and public participation. Gunnlaug brought a resource-management background into questions of energy justice, governance and Iceland’s renewable-energy transition.
Yonathan Hary Hutagalung
Expanding from high-temperature to low-temperature geothermal systems. Hary combined his geology background with study in Iceland and international field experience exploring a wider range of geothermal resources.
Lucian Bennet-Brandt
From Earth science to geothermal energy and carbon storage. Lucian combined his environmental-science background with experience at Carbfix, exploring how geology can contribute to practical climate solutions.
Meet the People Behind ISE
Meet some of the researchers, educators and staff who bring different perspectives to energy education, research and the ISE experience.
Ewa Lazarczyk
Energy economics, electricity markets and policy. Ewa helps students understand how regulation, incentives and market design influence energy systems and the transition to more sustainable technologies.
Ármann Gylfason
Wind energy, fluid mechanics and experimental engineering. Ármann connects engineering theory with practical research through wind-tunnel experiments, turbulence studies and work on wind-turbine performance.
David Christian Finger
Water resources, hydropower and climate adaptation. David brings an environmental-systems perspective to ISE, exploring how energy development interacts with water availability, ecosystems and long-term resilience.
Vala Hjörleifsdóttir
Geophysics, geothermal energy and natural-hazard monitoring. Vala’s work connects seismic research and subsurface imaging with practical questions in geothermal exploration and volcanic-hazard assessment.
María Sigríður Guðjónsdóttir
Geothermal utilisation and applied energy engineeringGeothermal utilisation and applied energy engineering. María combines research, industry collaboration and real geothermal-field data to explore how geothermal systems can become more efficient and cost-effective.
Ágúst Valfells
Energy systems, engineering and applied research. Ágúst brings together fundamental engineering science and sustainable-energy questions, helping students connect technical methods with broader energy-system challenges.
Juliet Newson - Director
Geothermal expertise, education and international leadership. Juliet draws on experience across industry, academia and the international geothermal community to connect students with the wider professional field.
Jacob Kaminski - Program Manager
Programme operations, partnerships and international engagement. Jacob works across academic delivery, external collaboration and visiting groups, helping connect ISE with universities, industry and opportunities beyond the classroom.