Decision Sciences

Who we Are

Meet the leaders shaping Decision Sciences research and helping organizations address complex technology challenges.

The Decision Sciences department at Idaho National Laboratory brings together experts in simulation modeling, geospatial analytics, digital engineering, operations optimization, economics and more. Our expertise in proven quantitative and qualitative methods enable us to produce context-informed information for decision makers, providing valuable and actionable insights for clients across the energy landscape. 

We inform the world’s energy future by analyzing and optimizing supply chains, conducting experiments to understand the efficacy of policy actions in the real-world, and quantifying the constraints physical technologies must meet to scale-up.

We go beyond identifying “what” and “why” to provide stakeholders with insights into “how” and “when.” For example, we show how to effectively utilize existing infrastructure and resources to achieve a new objective and when to make strategic investments based on market trends, policy changes and technology advancements. We assess the impacts of uncertainty on potential outcomes to create understanding that is robust under a range of scenarios.

Leadership

Dr. Thomas Mosier
Department manager
Dr. Ruby Nguyen
Group Lead
Will Jenson
Group lead
Dr. Damon Hartley
Lead researcher
Chelsey Brown
Administrative Professional

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Dr. Thomas Mosier

Department manager

Thomas Mosier is passionate about helping decision-makers plan robust energy investments and accelerating the adoption of technologies that benefit society. His work includes supporting public utilities with grid modernization, developing cost-reduction strategies for long-duration energy storage and advancing hybrid generation systems to improve grid resilience.

He holds a dual doctorate in water resources engineering and mechanical engineering from Oregon State University and a bachelor’s degree in physics from Reed College.

Dr. Ruby Nguyen

Group lead

Ruby Nguyen leads Decision Science’s Dynamics and Spatial Systems Analysis group. She has over a decade of experience in critical material supply chains and specializes in social surveys, qualitative assessments and systems modeling. She has also led work on supply chains for electric grid components, electronic waste, plastics, food and agriculture. 

Nguyen serves on the leadership team of the Critical Materials Innovation Hub as co-lead for education, workforce and development. She joined INL in 2015 after working in industry and the nonprofit sector. She holds a Ph.D. in environmental and natural resource sciences and a master’s in environmental science from Washington State University.

Will Jenson

Group lead

Will Jenson leads the Economics and Operational Analysis group in the Decision Sciences department. He is an economist specializing in nuclear industry labor markets and economic impact modeling for nuclear projects. His recent work includes studies on nuclear fuel cycles, energy supply chains, interim storage for spent nuclear fuel and comparisons of electricity generation technologies. 

Will holds a certificate in business strategy from Cornell University and a master’s in applied economics from Utah State University, where he focused on community and regional economic development. He previously taught economics for more than 10 years at Brigham Young University-Idaho and Idaho State University. He has also served as director of business research at a nonprofit research center and worked as an economist for the Idaho Department of Labor.

Dr. Damon Hartley

Lead researcher

Damon Hartley specializes in data-driven modeling, simulation, and systems analysis for bioenergy, resource utilization, and logistics. He integrates advanced analytics into complex decision-support systems with work that includes technoeconomic analysis, life cycle assessment, and supply chain optimization for alternative energy and materials.

He has led and contributed to high-impact projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and REMADE. Hartley also serves as deputy laboratory relationship manager for DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, helping to advance national strategy. 

He holds a Ph.D. in forest resource science from West Virginia University and a master’s in forest products from the University of Idaho.

Chelsey Brown

Administrative Professional

Chelsey Brown plays a central role in organizing and improving team operations as the team’s administrative professional. She supports department leaders, including Thomas Mosier, and serves as a go-to resource for staff members across the team. Brown coordinates day-to-day activities, supports change initiatives and leads the department’s adoption of operational artificial intelligence tools.

She is a connector within the team and across the broader organization. Her collaborative approach and attention to detail strengthens the department’s culture and effectiveness.