Mike Hightower is a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff in the Military and Energy Systems Analysis Department at Sandia National Laboratories. His current efforts include research and evaluation of innovative environmental and energy technologies and the protection of critical water and energy infrastructures. He conducts research on the use of distributed and renewable energy technologies and distributed water and waste water systems to enhance sustainable economic development, global public health, and infrastructure resiliency and security.

Since 2006, he has supported the U.S. Department of Energy in developing a science and technology program for addressing energy and water interdependencies.  Most recently he has supported the U.S. Senate on energy water legislation considerations, supported the U.S. National Science Foundation in conducting a national workshop to develop an energy and water research program plan, and assisted the U.S. National Research Council in identifying key energy water challenges and needs.

Mr. Hightower holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in civil engineering from New Mexico State University. He has published more 120 technical papers and reports including articles in NATURE, three Reports to Congress on desalination, water and energy, and liquefied natural gas, and has authored chapters in two books, one on advanced desalination and one on energy and water challenges.