Theresa Pistochini

Dr. Pistochini researches the decarbonization of buildings through innovations in all-electric heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technology and building envelopes, enhancing indoor environments while adapting to an evolving renewable electricity grid. While reducing greenhouse gas emissions is critical, she also prioritizes improving indoor air quality by mitigating exposure to outdoor pollutants such as wildfire smoke, vehicle emissions, and industrial emissions, as well as indoor pollutants including infectious respiratory aerosols, cooking emissions, and volatile organic compounds. By integrating energy systems and air quality research, her work bridges these disciplines to develop retrofit-ready, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions that improve the safety and sustainability of the built environment. Her work includes modeling studies, laboratory experimentation, and field research in occupied buildings. Most of Dr. Pistochini’s research is conducted through the Western Cooling Efficiency Center, where she is the co-Director of Engineering. She is also a member of the Energy Graduate Group.