Program Director

Education
MS, Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University

BS, Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University

Biography
Michael Hightower is a civil and environmental engineer with 40 years of experience in research and development. His current efforts include research and evaluation of innovative environmental and energy technologies and the reliability, security, and protection of critical water and energy infrastructures. He has led programs supporting the U.S. in improving the safety, security, and reliability of energy and water infrastructures; managed and coordinated Sandia’s marine energy transport safety and security program; managed environmental research and development programs for DOE; has coordinated Sandia’s energy water interdependency research program since 2005; and has conducted civil and structural modeling, analysis, and design of penetrating weapons systems, missiles and rockets, and energy generation, mining, and transportation facilities and infrastructure. Michael’s background also includes extensive work with public-private partnerships involving water quality, desalination, and water policy. Mike recently received the Multi-State Salinity Coalition 2022 “Salt of the Earth” Award.

Email: NMPWRC@nmsu.edu