PNNL

Kelsey joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) as a water resources scientist in October 2024. At PNNL, she leads the Integrated Water Power Resilience Program (IWPR), sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office, with the vision to identify and develop opportunities to improve resilience in the water and power sectors through coordinated planning, investment, and operations. Kelsey also supports the Department of Defense, within the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy and Sustainability, leading tasks related to water resilience and data analytics. Kelsey has conducted water and energy planning assessments, provided water resilience training to energy managers, and provided technical support on a wide variety of projects for the Department of Energy and Department of Defense. 

Kelsey has a Master of Science in Water Resources Science from Yale University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Trinity College. Prior to joining the Lab, she focused her research in the areas of water resilience, water security policy, stormwater management, and environmental and drinking water compliance. Over the years, she has been involved in a myriad of projects for local, state, and federal clients focused on watershed management and hydrologic and water quality studies. She enjoys converting scientific approaches into water resilience policy and solving water resilience challenges with intentional and innovative solutions.

• watershed management
• water resilience
• water resources science
• climate science
• energy water nexus
• sustainable land management

• MS in water resources science, Yale University, 2016
• BS in environmental science, Trinity College, 2012
   

• American Water Works Association
• SOLO Wilderness First Responder

• Buck Ketchum Prize, New England Estuarine Research Society, 2016
• Hydrology and Water Quality Master’s Award, Yale University, 2016
• Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies Small Grants Award, 2016
• Hixon Center for Urban Ecology Fellowship, Yale University, 2015 - 2016
• Honors in Environmental Science, Trinity College, 2012
• Levy Senior Research Prize for Urban Studies, Trinity College, 2012

• Mongird, K., J. S. Rice, K. A. Semrod, and H. Niazi. 06/02/2025. "County Level Energy & Water Interdependencies: Georgia." Online, United States. PNNL-SA-211281.
• Niazi, H., K. Mongird, J. S. Rice, K. A. Semrod, and J. S. Homer. 06/25/2025. "Integrated Energy-Water flows in the United States over the 21st century." Presented by H. Niazi at International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology (ISSST) 2025, Minneapolis, Minnesota. PNNL-SA-213028.
• Elliott, D. B., K. A. Semrod, and A. G. King. 09/11/2025. "Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Framework for Water Efficiency Measures." Presented by K. A. Semrod, D. B. Elliott at Federal Water Forum, Virtual, United States. PNNL-SA-215294
• Semrod, K. A., and J. S. Homer. 09/30/2025. "Resilience of Energy and Water Systems Workshop Summary." Alexandria, Va, United States. PNNL-SA-216376.
• Semrod, K. A., J. S. Rice, K. Mongird, J. S. Homer, and H. Niazi. 03/13/2025. "Water & Energy Interdependencies Across Sectors." Presented by K.A. Semrod, H. Niazi at National Water Supply Alliance Spring Meeting, Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia. PNNL-SA-209222