Adriana Kornfein

About Adriana

Adriana is an electrical engineering Master’s student at Stanford University, committed to accelerating the global energy transition by building advanced power electronics and implementing effective public policy. Raised in a small town in Sonoma County, her determination to build a career in sustainability was shaped by the recurring wildfires that impacted her community.

Adriana’s academic research focuses on developing technologies to electrify combustion-driven industrial processes. Her master’s thesis optimizes power electronics for applications in sustainable chemical manufacturing. As an Apple intern, she collaborated with engineering teams across China, managing studies and increasing production yield. Her passion for hands-on innovation led her to Germany to design circuit boards for a renewable battery company.

Adriana believes that intelligent policy design and international cooperation are critical for implementing renewable technology. As a California Energy Commission Shultz Fellow, she authored guidance to help renewable energy developers engage with local communities while navigating regulatory processes. To better prepare for an international career, she has studied Mandarin, German, and Spanish, and has organized speaker events on current issues in China and post-Soviet countries.

Coming from a family of public school educators, Adriana is committed to mentorship and community building. She has led tutoring programs on campus and is currently partnering with faculty to redesign a core electrical engineering course to be more inclusive. Adriana cares deeply about creating spaces where people feel welcome and can learn, whether by organizing events for the Stanford Disability Center, running a weekly German table for beginners, or hosting large Shabbat dinners for 20+ friends.

Adriana enjoys spending time outdoors, whether hiking, biking, or swimming. Recently, she has taken up Muay Thai and knit her first sweater.