I’m a graduate student with a dual degree in Industrial and Operations Engineering and Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. I am also an incoming MBA student in Ross School of Business at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. My work focuses on embodied carbon accounting, Scope 3 emissions, and sustainable infrastructure transitions. I’ve contributed to both academic research and industry-facing projects, including decarbonization planning for large retailers and university capital goods procurement. As a first-generation student from rural India, I’m passionate about using systems thinking to address sustainability and equity in urban development. I’m excited to be part of the SUS community to learn, collaborate, and contribute to a just urban future.
Gokulakrishnan's main research interests:
- Embodied carbon in construction and infrastructure (MEP systems, structural systems)
- Scope 3 emissions reduction strategies for capital goods
- Circular economy approaches for building materials and urban systems
- Sustainable procurement and lifecycle-based policy development
- Urban decarbonization and deep transition pathways
Gokulakrishnan's favorite cities and why:
- Ann Arbor, Michigan – A small but progressive city that prioritizes sustainability and community well-being
- Coimbatore, India – My hometown and a city of contrasts, where the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and climate equity is highly visible.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands – A global leader in sustainable mobility and circular design in urban planning.
Collaboration interests
I’m interested in collaborating on projects that bridge embodied carbon data with practical urban policies, especially in global South cities. I also welcome collaborations focused on data visualization and communication of urban LCA results to non-technical stakeholders.
How did you get interested in cities research? What drew you to sustainability topics?
Growing up in a semi-urban town in South India, I saw first-hand how infrastructure decisions impact public health and environmental outcomes. My interest in cities and sustainability was sparked during engineering school, where I became curious about how systems design could be applied to environmental challenges. Graduate school gave me the tools to connect emissions data with institutional decision-making, and I’ve been building on that ever since.
