The legacy of Julie A. Keil, who was an industry leader, innovator, and advocate for women in hydropower, continues to inspire the next generation through the academic award that carries her namesake, the Julie A. Keil Women in Hydro Scholarship.

Established by the Northwest Hydroelectric Association and supported by Keil’s family and a selection committee of a cross section of the hydropower community, the scholarship honors her lifelong commitment to both advancing hydro and empowering women to shape its future.

This year, the scholarship recognizes Doan Tran, a senior at the University of California, Berkeley, who is majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, for her passion related to innovation, equity, and sustainability in renewable energy.

Tran was honored in-person in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during Clean Currents 2025, where she took the stage to receive the award from Chad Croft, who is a member of the Julie Keil Selection Committee and the Northwest Hydropower Practice Lead at HDR.

POWERHOUSE caught up with Tran to learn more about her connection to water power.

A SCHOLAR MOTIVATED BY INNOVATION, EMPATHY AND INCLUSIVITY

For Tran, hydropower represents a powerful blend of legacy and innovation. “It’s one of the oldest renewable resources, yet its future depends on modernizing and integrating with new technologies,” she said. Tran’s academic and professional interests focus on using digital tools, machine learning, and sensor systems to optimize hydropower operations while maintaining ecological balance. “The possibility of applying cutting-edge computing to a renewable energy source with such large-scale impact excites me,” she added.

As a first-generation college student who immigrated from Asia, Tran had early experiences that demonstrated how critical water systems are for community health, education, and opportunity. “Growing up, I saw how something as simple as reliable water access could change the course of people’s lives,” she said.

At Berkeley, Tran has founded student-led sustainability initiatives that merge creativity and compassion, including projects that design eco-friendly products and support vulnerable populations using recycled materials. “Technical innovation has the greatest impact when paired with empathy and inclusivity,” she said.

When asked what advice she has for other students considering the award, Tran encouraged them to “embrace the intersections of your interests.” She continued, “You don’t need to start out as an expert in hydropower to make a meaningful contribution—backgrounds in computer science, environmental studies, design, or other fields can all bring valuable perspectives. Show curiosity, highlight how your skills can be applied, and share a vision for how you want to contribute.”

On receiving the award, Tran remarked, “The Julie Keil Scholarship has affirmed my commitment to pursuing work at the intersection of technology and sustainability, and I hope to encourage other young women and first-generation students to see a place for themselves in the water power industry.”

Doan Tran (right), winner of the 2025 Julie Keil Award, receives the Award from Chad Croft (left) on behalf of the Julie Keil Scholarship Selection Committee at Clean Currents 2025.

Looking ahead, Tran hopes to pursue research and development opportunities that blend engineering, data science, and environmental stewardship. “Hydropower, as a vital piece of the renewable energy puzzle, represents both a challenge and an opportunity,” she added, “and I am eager to be part of shaping its future.”

LEARN MORE

To learn more about the Julie Keil Award, click HERE.