Katie Altshuler

Deputy Executive Director

katie.altshuler@hamminstitute.org

Katie Altshuler serves as the deputy executive director of the Hamm Institute for American Energy at Oklahoma State University. Prior to her role at the Hamm Institute, Altshuler managed federal and state government affairs, regulatory and community relations for Marathon Oil Corporation. Altshuler’s experience includes senior roles in both the Federal and state government. In the U.S. Senate, she served as Sr. Floor Assistant & Policy Advisor for OK Senator Don Nickles in the Whip Office and later as the Staff Director for the Senate Republican Policy Committee. Upon returning home to Oklahoma, she served as the Policy Director for two Speakers of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and as Policy Director for OK Governor Mary Fallin.

Austin Anderson

Administrative Assistant

austin.anderson@hamminstitute.org

Austin Anderson serves as the Administrative Assistant at the Hamm Institute for American Energy, where he plays a key role in supporting daily operations. His responsibilities include managing team calendars, overseeing front desk operations, preparing event materials, and contributing to communications, graphic design, and website management.

Austin holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Agricultural Communications and Agribusiness from Oklahoma State University. His background in marketing and communications, combined with hands-on experience in media, public relations, and administrative operations, equips him with a strong foundation in strategic communication and visual design.

Prior to joining the Institute, Austin spent three years in the newspaper industry, where he developed expertise in event coordination, layout and graphic design, task and deadline management, and day-to-day office operations. He now leverages these skills to effectively support the Institute’s mission and enhance its operational efficiency.

Jason Angolano

Director of Research

jason.angolano@okstate.edu

Jason Angolano is an engineering leader with a diverse background of product and technology evaluation. He has been instrumental in the creation of numerous world-class laboratories and testing facilities for various industries, most recently the oil and natural gas technology center for General Electric/Baker Hughes. He has also managed a diverse range of testing portfolios, covering everything from early technology discovery to final production validation for a wide array of products and services.

Angolano has also spent more than a decade in the automotive and off-highway industries testing and validating products prior to production for Harley-Davidson and Mercury Marine.

Jason has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University. He was born and raised in Oklahoma, and lives in the OKC area with his wife and two sons.

Aaron T. Dossey, Ph.D.

Research Project Manager

aaron.dossey@hamminstitute.org

Dr. Aaron T. Dossey serves as a Research Project Manager at the Hamm Institute for American Energy, where he leads and supports initiatives at the intersection of energy, water, and food systems. His work focuses on developing practical, scalable solutions that transform underutilized resources into high-value assets, including projects in produced water reuse, critical mineral extraction, geothermal applications, and the use of waste heat from AI data centers for controlled environment agriculture, desalination, and water treatment.

With a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and over 20 years of experience spanning biotechnology, agriculture, and sustainability, Dr. Dossey brings a multidisciplinary approach to complex systems challenges. He has secured over $5 million in research funding from agencies including USDA, DARPA, and the Gates Foundation, authored 40+ peer-reviewed publications and a foundational textbook, and is an international keynote speaker who has presented in seven countries .

In addition to his work at Hamm, Dr. Dossey has founded both a biotech company and a nonprofit research institute, where he has led efforts in product development, commercialization, genomics, and global collaboration . He actively seeks new partnerships, industry collaborations, and funding opportunities to advance innovation across energy, agriculture, and infrastructure systems.

Payten Pitt

Project & Operations Manager

payten.pitt@hamminstitute.org

Payten Pitt serves as the Project & Operations Manager at the Hamm Institute for American Energy, where she plays a key role in driving organizational efficiency, strategic planning, and executive support. In this dual capacity, Payten oversees day-to-day operations, streamlines internal workflows, and ensures the successful execution of high-impact initiatives that advance the Institute’s mission.

With a background in biotechnology and a Master’s degree in Operations Management, Payten brings a unique blend of technical expertise and administrative leadership to the energy sector. She previously spent over seven years in the biotech industry, where she specialized in product development, manufacturing transfer, and commercialization—skills that now inform her cross-functional coordination and stakeholder engagement at the Institute.

Whether managing complex project timelines, organizing national summits, or developing internal reporting frameworks, Payten is committed to fostering collaboration and operational excellence in support of American energy innovation.