Laura has a B.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies (Dartmouth College, 1990) and a Master of International Affairs degree focusing on international environmental policy (Columbia University, 1995). At the Lab, she divides her time working with the International Energy Studies Group supporting energy efficiency projects in developing countries worldwide, and working with the Energy Efficiency Standards Group in support of the development of U.S. appliance and lighting energy efficiency standards.

Before joining the Lab, Laura spent four years working as a Program Associate for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group II, preparing reports on the potential impacts of climate change and on adaptation and mitigation measures, for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Laura also previously worked as a consultant to the US EPA's Global Change Division, the World Bank, and the UN Development Programme's Sustainable Energy and Environment Division. She also spent a summer in Ecuador organizing bilingual national outreach activities at the Panamerican office of BirdLife International.