Max Vilgalys is an adjunct faculty member at the Center for Urban Science + Progress at NYU Tandon as well as a climate policy analyst at the New York City Mayor's Office of Management and Budget (OMB). His work focuses on evaluating the costs and benefits of climate policy, using data-driven modeling such as agent-based decision analysis, energy systems optimization, and nonlinear econometrics. At OMB, Dr. Vilgalys works on the city's Climate Budgeting initiative to incorporate climate expertise in the budget process. Max lives in Brooklyn and has been teaching at NYU Tandon CUSP since 2025.
Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2022
PhD in Social & Engineering Systems
Dissertation: Essays on Measuring Climate Change Damages and Adaptation
Stanford University, 2017
BS in Electrical Engineering
Publications
2026. "Affordability and equity in New York City's building performance standard," Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy.
2024-present. "New York City Climate Budgeting", New York City Mayor's Office of Management and Budget.
2026. "New York City ROE Panel", expert witness testimony in ConEd Steam rate case.
Research Centers, Labs, and Groups
