PNNL

With a master’s degree in materials science and engineering, Jeriah Whitley is dedicated to bridging the gap between complex scientific innovations and practical solutions for the maritime industry.

She spent three years as a research assistant at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and over a year in the Coastal Sciences Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where she applied engineering principles to support port sustainability and resilience projects. Her strong foundation in physics enables her to approach challenges from first principles, leveraging skills in data analysis, self-driven experimentation, Python, scientific communication, technical writing, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Whitley’s research interests include emerging technologies such as renewable energy, biofuels, and hydrogen. Equally important to her is building relationships within the maritime community—ensuring that the right technologies are matched to the specific needs of each port and nearby community.

She also serves as a co-leader of Seattle Science Social, a community of early-career scientists that organizes both professional and social events. These gatherings foster scientific exchange and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive culture at the lab.

• Maritime technical assistance
• Renewable energy
• Renewable fuels
• Hydrogen
• Material science
• Electrical engineering
• Decarbonization

• MS, materials science and engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• BS, physics, Whitworth University

• Whitworth Alumni Ideals Award, May 2019
• Nominee for the Ernest Coleman Award in SULI program, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, August 2018
• Winner of the Undergraduate Entrepreneurship and Research Competition, High Performance Materials Institute, FSU, August 2017
• Academic scholarship recipient:
  • American Association of University Women, June 2018
  • Glen P. Erickson Memorial Scholarship, May 2018
  • NASA Space Grant, April 2017

• 2025. Tapio R.M., H.L. Bevacqua, and J.A. Whitley. U.S. Department of Defense Energy Resilience in Europe - Host Nation Policies. PNNL-369666.
• 2025. Whitley J.A., R.A. Calkins, S.K. Idso, M.E. Grear, F.K. Tuffner. Port Technical Assistance Program- A proposed initiative to support U.S. ports through energy innovation. PNNL-37576.
• 2024. Idso S.K., J.A. Whitley, R.A. Calkins, K.J. Morrice, and M.P. Moncheur de Rieudotte. U.S. Port Foundations Analysis. PNNL-36876.
• 2024. Idso S.K., J.A. Whitley, M.P. Moncheur de Rieudotte, M.E. Grear, L.M. Sheridan, Y. Jiang, and F.K. Tuffner, et al. Case Study: Port of Anacortes, Evaluating Opportunities for Port Technical Assistance through a Collaborative Research Pilot. PNNL-36953.