This highly-qualified, multidisciplinary team is led by Dr. Michael Warren, Executive Director, Global Research Group. Prior to joining Hart Energy, Warren worked as the National Manager for Toyota Motor North America in charge of Latin American research; he also served on the board of directors for Green Plains Renewable Energy. Warren was a participating member of the Demand Task Group of the National Petroleum Council's (the "NPC") Oil & Natural Gas Study, representing the automotive industry. Warren has an MA and a PhD from Tulane University in Latin American Studies with a concentration on Political Economy and a BA in International Studies from the University of Southern Maine.

Laura Atkins has worked for Hart Energy as the primary author of its Heavy Crude Oil Study. She joined the company full-time as Director of Petroleum Research upon her return to Houston in 2010. She has more than 20 years experience in the upstream oil and gas industry starting as a petroleum engineer for Amoco Production Company and moving into management positions with ARCO Alaska and ARCO International. Prior to joining Hart Energy she worked for OPEC for three years as Sr. Research Analysis for Energy Technology. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in international affairs from Harvard University.