Scott Quillinan

School of Energy Resources

Senior Director, Research

Contact Information

307-766-6697scottyq@uwyo.edu

Energy Innovation Center 311

Scott Quillinan
Scott Quillinan is the Senior Director of Research at the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources (SER), where he oversees a diverse portfolio of research programs aimed at advancing Wyoming’s energy economy. With over two decades of experience, he brings deep technical expertise in geology and applied energy research, with a strong focus on translating research into economic and policy applications.
A Wyoming native, Scott holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Geology from the University of Wyoming and is a licensed professional geologist. Over the course of his career, he has managed more than $250 million in externally funded research projects, ranging from early-stage pilot studies to large-scale field demonstrations. His work reflects a strong emphasis on regional relevance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and long-term impact.
At SER, Scott leads major initiatives in carbon capture and storage, coal product development, rare earth elements and critical materials, hydrogen, nuclear energy, wind, and oil and gas. Under his leadership, SER has launched and expanded several nationally significant research initiatives, including:
  • Wyoming CarbonSAFE, a commercial-scale carbon capture and geologic storage (CCUS) project sited at a coal-fired power plant.
  • The Carbon Engineering Program, which explores innovative, non-thermal uses of coal to create value-added products and support coal communities.
  • Programs focused on the extraction, separation, and commercialization of rare earth elements (REEs) and critical materials, particularly from unconventional resources such as coal, ash, and produced water.
  • A growing portfolio of hydrogen research, including production, storage, and utilization pathways tailored to Wyoming’s energy mix.
  • Initiatives to develop low-carbon approaches to traditional fossil fuel development and infrastructure.
  • Research into advanced nuclear energy, including coordination of the Nuclear Energy Research Center (NERC).
  • Applied research in oil and gas innovations to advance and improve development Wyoming’s primary energy sectors.
Across all areas, Scott works to align research with the needs of industry, policymakers, and Wyoming communities, ensuring SER remains a driver of energy innovation and economic development in the state.