Adria Wilson, Ph.D.
About Adria Wilson, Ph.D.
Adria Wilson, Ph.D., is the Manager of U.S. Policy & Advocacy at Breakthrough Energy, with a background in chemistry and extensive experience in policy and advocacy roles.
Current Role at Breakthrough Energy
Adria Wilson, Ph.D., is currently serving as the Manager for U.S. Policy & Advocacy at Breakthrough Energy since 2021. She operates out of Washington, District of Columbia, where she focuses on advancing policy initiatives and advocacy efforts that align with Breakthrough Energy’s mission.
Former Roles at Breakthrough Energy and Gates Ventures
Before her current position, Adria Wilson was the Manager for U.S. Advocacy & Government Relations at Breakthrough Energy in 2021 for a brief tenure of 1 month. In 2020, she held the position of Manager, R&D Policy and Advocacy at Gates Ventures for 1 month, where she was involved in research and development policy initiatives.
Experience in Government and Policy
Adria Wilson has extensive experience in government positions. She was the Entrepreneurial Program Lead at Chain Reaction Innovations, Argonne National Laboratory from 2018 to 2020. Prior to that, she worked as a Program Manager and ORISE Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from 2015 to 2018. Additionally, she served as an AAAS/MRS/TMS Congressional Fellow in the U.S. Senate Office of Bernie Sanders from 2014 to 2015.
Academic Background and Early Career
Adria Wilson holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Materials Chemistry from Duke University, where she studied from 2009 to 2014. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, with minors in Political Science and Italian Studies, from Drexel University, completed from 2004 to 2009. Early in her career, she held roles as a Bioanalytical Scientist at GlaxoSmithKline in 2008.
Research and Fellowship Experience
Wilson’s academic career is highlighted by her role as a Graduate Research Assistant in Duke University's Chemistry Department from 2009 to 2014. Her work at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as an ORISE Fellow and her fellowship in the U.S. Senate Office of Bernie Sanders further complement her experience in both research and policy advocacy.