The Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin is pleased to announce this year's recipients of the Chevron Energy Graduate Fellowship Endowment. Made possible by a generous gift from Chevron, the program supports the bold work of outstanding graduate students conducting energy systems research in carbon capture, energy storage, hydrogen and gas separations, and technology commercialization, among other research areas.
Ph.D. Candidate Pranav Thacker is being recognized for "Ionic Liquids for Carbon Capture & Hydrogen," which investigates how the structures of cation in ionic liquids (ILs) influence gas solubility and key process-relevant properties for CO₂/CH₄ separation. By introducing a novel screening index, this work challenges the notion that ILs are limited by viscosity and offers a valuable framework for guiding rational IL design and future solvent discovery.
"It’s a privilege to be selected for this fellowship. I sincerely thank my advisor, Dr. Joan Brennecke, for her invaluable mentorship, along with Dr. Michael Baldea and Dr. Mark Stadtherr for their guidance. I would also like to acknowledge the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, the Energy Institute, and Chevron for their support and recognition. This work reflects the collaborative effort behind advancing the design of ionic liquids for carbon capture processes and developing a novel screening index to guide future solvent discovery," he offered.
The Chevron Energy Graduate Fellows Awards help support our exceptionally talented graduate students at UT and encourage their curiosity and bold explorations to develop transformative energy solutions that will make people's lives better,
Brian Korgel, director, Energy Institute and professor, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering
Michael Huylo and Meiyi Li from Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Ahmad Merzoug and Hao Wang from Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering were named from Cockrell School of Engineering. Jiefeng Diao and Ziqing Wang from the Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences and Vitallii Sergeev from Master’s Program in Technology Commercialization, McCombs School of Business we're also recognized for their work.
Learn more about the 2025-26 UT Chevron Energy Graduate Fellows HERE.
