PhD student, Sustainable Transportation Energy Pathways, Institute of Transportation Studies

MBA student, Graduate School of Management, Class of 2010

Emerging Venture Analyst, Energy Efficiency Center

University of California at Davis
One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616.

email: wleighty@ucdavis.edu   
Telephone: (530) 635-7632

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Background Summary

     Wayne joined the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis in 2006 as a lifelong technological optimist and tinkerer. He built his first alternative-fuel vehicle at age 14, a battery-electric Honda CRX, and has since converted two diesels to waste-cooking-oil fuel. Wayne is now a joint MBA and PhD student focusing on finance and emerging technology in the energy and transportation industries.

     While at UC Davis, Wayne has earned two masters degrees, one in transportation technology and policy and one in agricultural and resource economics. He has been a Graduate Automotive Technology Education (GATE) Fellow for two years, is the 2008-09 Chevron Graduate Fellow in transportation, and is a Dean’s Fellow at the Graduate School of Management.

     Wayne has worked as an environmental economics consultant in litigation support, general manager, legislative chief of staff for an Alaska state senator, and wilderness guide. His desire to study energy and transportation was solidified during his work on major changes to the Alaska oil and gas tax code and consideration of a contract for construction of the $25 billion Alaska natural gas pipeline.  Wayne gained first-hand experience with the interaction between government and industry in the energy sector, and understanding of the need for robust economic analysis and planning to inform investment and policy decision-making.

     Wayne's diverse experience in environmental science, economics, and public policy provides a valuable context for designing interdisciplinary research that will both enhance scientific understanding and benefit society.

          “There’s a way to do it better… find it!” ~Thomas A. Edison

Use these links to view and download Wayne's resume or curriculum Vitae

Sustainable Transportation Energy Pathways Research Interests

     Topics of Wayne's research publications include modeling of optimal oil production, carbon sequestration in forests, and advanced vehicle technology. He is currently studying transition dynamics in vehicle fleets, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle buydown costs, repowering in the California wind industry, short-term energy conservation in emergencies, and opportunities for information to motivate sustained driving behavior change.  Wayne has collaborated with others on modeling of greenhouse gas emission reductions in the transportation sector, evaluating the potential for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) alternatives, and investigating folk quantification of transportation energy use (i.e., how consumers perceive energy use in their vehicle purchase and driving decisions).

     Wayne's dissertation research is evolving, but may include additional modeling of optimal oil production, additional modeling of greenhouse gas emission reductions in the transportation sector, and evaluation of the commercial potential for game-changing transportation technologies.

     Wayne hopes to develop expertise in understanding how to bring beneficial new energy technology into widespread use, and in coordinating public policy with technological innovation to realize social benefit.

Education

UC Davis, PhD in Transportation Technology and Policy, 2010

UC Davis, Masters of Business Administration, 2010

UC Davis, Masters in Transportation Technology and Policy, 2008

UC Davis, Masters in Agricultural and Resource Economics, 2008

Brown University, Sc.B. Environmental Science and A.B. Economics, 2001

Whitman College, 1999

National Outdoor Leadership School, 1997

Geothe German Language Institute, 1996

Publications and Presentations

Leighty, W.W., S.P. Hamburg, J. Caouette (2006) "Effects of forest management on carbon sequestration in Southeastern Alaska," Ecosystems.  Ecosystems 9: 1051-1065.

Leighty, W.W., C. Yang, J. Ogden (2007) "Advanced ICE Vehicles: an assessment of the technologies for next generation vehicles,"  Advanced Energy Pathways (AEP) Project, Task 4.1 Technology Assessments of Vehicle Fuels and Technologies, Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program, California Energy Commission, DRAFT July, 2007.

Lin, C.-Y. Cynthia, W.W. Leighty (2007) “Government Leasing Policy and the Multi-Stage Investment Timing Game in Offshore Petroleum Production,” International Association for Energy Economics, North American Conference, Houston, Texas, 16-19 September.

Silvis, J., W.W. Leighty, A. Karner (2007) “Folk Quantification of Transportation Energy: an initial investigation of perceptions of automobile energy use,” Research Report, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California at Davis, UCD-ITS-RR-07-22.

Leighty, W.W. (2008) "Modeling of Energy Production Decisions: an Alaska Oil Case Study," Research Report, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California at Davis, UCD-ITS-RR-08-26.

Yang, Christopher, David L. McCollum, Ryan W. McCarthy, Wayne Leighty (2008) “Identifying Options for Deep Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions from California Transportation: Meeting an 80% Reduction Goal in 2050,” Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-08-23.

Leighty, WW. (2008) “Repowering California Wind: Benefits and Barriers,” working paper, University of California at Davis.

Leighty, W.W. (2007) “Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline.” Presented to: Sustainable Transportation Energy Program Seminar, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California at Davis, in Davis, California, 13 February.

Leighty, W.W. (2007) “Government Leasing Policy and the Multi-Stage Investment Timing Game in Offshore Petroleum Production.” Presented to: the 2007 International Association for Energy Economics, North American Conference, in Houston, Texas, 16-19 September.

Leighty, W.W. (2008) "Modeling of Production Decisions in Energy Markets: an Alaska Oil Case Study."  Presented to: Sustainable Transportation Energy Program Seminar, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California at Davis, 4 March.

Awards and Achievements

Outstanding Student of the Year, UC Davis Sustainable Transportation Center (2008-2009)

Emerging Venture Analyst, UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center (2008-2009)

Dean's Fellowship, UC Davis Graduate School of Management (2008)

Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy, Incline Village, Nevada, July 7-11 (2008)

Eno Transportation Foundation, Leadership Development Conference, Washington, DC, May 19-22 (2008)

Chevron Graduate Fellowship, UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies (2007)

Outstanding Student of the Year, UC Davis Sustainable Transportation Center, honorable mention (2007)

Graduate Automotive Technology Education Fellowship, University of California, Davis (2006-2008)

National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, Honorable Mention (2006)

Magna Cum Laude, Brown University (2001)

Academic Departmental Honors in Environmental Science, Brown University (2001)

Royce Fellowship and induction into the Society of Royce Fellows, Brown University (2000)

Faculty Scholar, Brown University (2000)

Sigma Xi and Omicron Delta Epsilon, member (2001)

Susan Colver Rosenberger Prize for Environmental Studies, Brown University (2001)

Experience

Chief of Staff, Alaska State Senator Gretchen Guess, 2003 - 2006. I collaborated with a small team to analyze a $25 billion natural gas pipeline contract and advise legislators on the decision to continue negotiations for a better contract. I surved as a key advisor to the Senator on major changes to oil and gas tax laws passed in 2006. I brokered compromise with legislators and stakeholders on identity theft legislation passed in 2008. One of my responsibilities was developing policy through discussion of critical principals with the Senator, collaboration with legal staff to draft bills, and authoring of sponsor statements to explain the bills to legislators and the press. I also rapidly analyzed legislation and compiled background research to brief the Senator prior to votes, authored opinion editorials and press releases published in statewide newspapers, and advised the Senator on issues related to natural resources, state affairs, and judiciary committees.  I was promoted from legislative aide to chief of staff in June, 2005.

Operations and Trip Development Coordinator, Alaska Discovery, 2003. I developed a successful new trip itinerary to meet changing market conditions.

General Manager, Auk Ta Shaa Discovery, 2002 – 2003.  I increased profit 20% with operational efficiency and aggressive sales of high-margin products. I developed a supportive culture of teamwork among seasonal staff of 15 serving 9,000 clients to deliver outstanding service quality and a perfect safety record. I facilitated the transition during a change in partial ownership that quadrupled profits.

Research Analyst, Industrial Economics, Inc., 2001 – 2002.  Environmental economics consulting for litigation support. I created a flexible model of environmental damage cost that won an $11 million judgment. I developed skill in Excel modeling, value of information modeling, and revealed preference and stated preference survey methods.

Researcher, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Forestry Sciences Lab, 2000.  Research to estimate the total carbon pool in the Tongass National Forest and project carbon flux under potential management policy.  Primary author of “Effects of forest management on carbon sequestration in Southeastern Alaska,” Ecosystems (2006).

Teaching Assistant and Course Development, Environmental Issues, Brown University, 1999 - 2000.  Teaching Assistant, revised course reader, developed section activities and homework, led weekly sections, wrote paper topics, graded papers and exams.

Lead Guide & Guide, Auk Ta Shaa Discovery & Alaska Discovery, 1996 - 2000, 2004.  I managed and led successful whitewater rafting, canoeing, and sea kayaking expeditions (up to 10 days) in Southeast Alaska. I contributed to company success through teamwork with guide staff to provide outstanding customer service before, during, and after each trip.