STEM Journeys & Building the Future | Dr. Kieren McCord on Acoustics, Architecture & Energy Innovation

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Sound Cave Labs Podcast, Kieren shares how her love of piano led her to acoustical research at BYU, architectural acoustics at Nebraska, and a PhD at Arizona State University. Now a scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, she works at the intersection of buildings, energy, and human experience — studying how indoor environments impact health, comfort, and performance.We talk about her diverse internships with Copeland, the FBI, and the Naval Research Labs, as well as her publication on nationwide energy decision-making data. Kieren also opens up about balancing family and career, overcoming self-doubt, and the importance of mentorship and communication in STEM.This episode is packed with insights for students, engineers, and anyone curious about the future of acoustics, energy, and building design.🔗 Learn more about Pacific Northwest National Lab: https://www.pnnl.gov/ 🔗 Connect with Sound Cave Labs: https://www.instagram.com/soundcavelabspodcast/