Christopher John Wellons

Background

About Christopher John Wellons

I am passionate about energy and the utility industry. I have been around utility and energy workers all my life, having four immediate family members who worked work for utilities or other areas of energy. Speaking with them about their work gives me a unique understanding of how utilities operate, something that cannot be learned through classes alone. My first energy related project dates back to the seventh grade where I completed a project on energy efficiency. As an undergraduate seeking my BS in Computer Engineering I complete my senior design project on smart grid applications and how they could be integrated into the University of Denver’s electric and power systems. Shortly after starting my MS at the University of Denver, my research interests switched to focus on energy applications, specifically, demand response and energy efficiency. I find this subject matter intellectually interesting and challenging. My goal is to continue my work in this subject area for my professional career. As a full time Graduate student, I held a full time Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), and a part time retail job. Time spent as a GTA helping student was very rewarding, especially when they begin to understand the subject matter after trying to grasp it for an extended period of time. I also designed a lab for the students and gave a lecture on my thesis work to the class. One of my professors even trusted me enough to give one of his lectures and also create one of my own. I gave all that I had as a GTA and will do the same for my next employer.