Areas of Expertise:
Climate and environmental policy • Domestic and international renewable energy development • Earth science • Environmental sustainability and impact assessment
Mark Little is senior research associate for economic development for the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. Little brings a broad, international background to renewable energy development, environmental sustainability and policy analysis.
Little graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University after completing coursework in environmental geochemistry. While in graduate school at Rice University investigating soil formation and weathering processes, he developed courses on climate, energy and sustainable development. He also organized forums at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy on human trafficking, military interrogation and public health.
After completing a Ph.D. in geochemistry, Little worked in China as a Luce Scholar, researching air pollution and lecturing on climate change and energy at Peking University. Since returning to the United States, he has conducted laboratory research on the potential environmental impacts of geologic carbon sequestration at Duke University and served as American Association for the Advancement of Science/Geological Society of America Congressional science fellow and professional staff member to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Little has also worked as an independent consultant on biofuel and conventional energy development in North Carolina and Africa.