2026
PROGRAM
UT Energy Week unites experts from academia, industry, and government to engage in meaningful discussions on critical energy topics. Through thought-provoking panel sessions, keynote addresses, and research showcases, the conference serves as a platform for innovative ideas and collaborative solutions in the energy space.
Monday, April 6
- Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Present Texas Nuclear Symposium: Powering Texas Forward: A Texas-Sized Opportunity
- Interdisciplinary Case Competition Launch
- Energy Research Poster Competition
- Opening Reception & Research Poster Showcase
View Full Monday Agenda
8:00 a.m. | Registration
Breakfast Provided
8:30 a.m. | Welcome & Opening Remarks
Dr. Dale Klein, Former NRC Chairman & UT Austin Professor Emeritus
8:40 a.m. | The Future of Nuclear Education at UT Austin
Dr. Derek Haas, Associate Professor, UT Austin
9:00 a.m. | National Digital Twin Program: Progress and Flow Loop Network
Dr. Kevin Clarno, Associate Professor, UT Austin
9:20 a.m. | Keynote: Great Power Competition for Nuclear
Dr. William Inboden, Executive Vice President and Provost, UT Austin
9:50 a.m. | Nuclear in the Courts: Cases and regulations to watch
Martin J. O’Neill, Associate General Counsel for Nuclear Energy Institute
10:10 a.m. | Networking Break & Interdisciplinary Case Competition Launch
10:20 a.m. | Studying Component Resilience to Radiation Damage
Dr. William Charlton, Professor and Director of the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory, UT Austin
10:40 a.m. | R&D and National Lab Partnerships
Dr. Sheldon Landsberger, Professor, UT Austin
11:00 a.m. | Recent Robotics and Automation Efforts with LANL for the Handling and Manufacturing for SNMs
Dr. Mitch Pryor, Research Professor, UT Austin
11:20 a.m. | Augmented Reality for Radiation Situational Awareness
Fabian Parra Gil, Senior Robotics Research Engineer, UT Austin
Frank Regal, CEO of Cacti-Industries and UT Austin PhD Student
11:40 a.m. | Student Lightning Talks
Moderated by Dr. Elena Zannoni
12:10 p.m. | Lunch & Poster Session
1:25 p.m. | Nuclear Data for Energy and National Security
Dr. Derek Haas, Associate Professor, UT Austin
Dr. Will Flanagan, Research Scientist, UT Austin
1:45 p.m. | TRIGA NETL Digital Twin: Accelerating Industry Innovation
2:05 p.m. | Isotope Production: Meeting Growing Demand
Dr. William Charlton, UT Austin
2:25 p.m. | Nuclear Medical Imaging: Innovations and Challenges
Dr. Elena Zannoni, UT Austin
2:45 p.m. | Closing Remarks
3:00-5:00 p.m. | Opening Reception & Research Poster Showcase
Continue the afternoon with conversations, light bites, and a curated selection of beverages.
Explore the research poster showcase and connect with students, researchers, and energy professionals across disciplines.
Tuesday, April 7
- Strategic Energy Seed Grant Showcase
- Entrepreneurship Mentorship & Career Lunch
- Energy Research Poster Competition
- Startup Night Reception
View Full Tuesday Agenda
8:00 a.m. | Registration
Breakfast Provided
8:40 a.m. | Welcome & Research Showcase Opening
Brian Korgel, Director, Energy Institute, UT Austin
Showcasing 12 collaborative projects advancing real-world energy solutions through the 2025 Strategic Energy Seed Grant Program.
8:45 a.m. | Energy Beaming for Long-Range Commercial Aircraft Using Solar Phased Arrays
Presented by Christian Claudel on behalf of Tianyi Wang
Christian Claudel, Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
8:55 a.m. | Fundamental Understanding of Thermo-Hydraulic Fractures in Porous Media for Improved Geothermal Energy and Carbon Storage
Presented by Renato Poli
Nicolas Espinoza, Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
9:05 a.m. | Hybrid Dewatering/Desalination for Reducing Energy Consumption and Cost of Lithium Extraction from Hypersaline Brines
Presented by Shanthanu Katakam
Vaibhav Bahadur, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
9:15 a.m. | Designing Sensitive Bioassays for Produced Water
Presented by Matthew Burroughs
Lydia Contreras, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
9:25 a.m. | Driving the Future of Power Value Chain Decarbonization
Presented by Gavin Latham
Xiuling Li, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
9:35 a.m. | Designing Low Emission Hydrogen Supply Chains
Presented by Colette Schissel
Erin Tullos, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
9:45 a.m. | Networking Break
10:05 a.m. | Securing Power Reliability and Availability for Critical Loads With Flexible Generation
Presented by Damjan Zechevikj
Surya Santoso, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
10:15 a.m. | The Electrification Race: Probing the Power Grid/Data Center/Manufacturing Nexus
Presented by Jiyong Lee
Michael Baldea, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
10:25 a.m. | Powering the Future: A Data-Driven Framework for Sustainable and Resilient Data Center Expansion in Texas
Presented by Mariam Arzumanyan
Ning Lin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
10:35 a.m. | Electrochemical Hydrogenation for Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Presented by Meng-Hsiu Shih
Joaquin Resasco, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
10:45 a.m. | Efficient Synthesis of Sodium Phosphate Solid-State Electrolytes
Presented by TBD
David Mitlin, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
10:55 a.m. | Engineering the Carbon Management System Through Technology and Policy Optimization
Presented by Andrew Miller
Hugh Daigle, Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
11:05 a.m. | UT Medical Complex Undergraduate Energy Research Pilot
Shannon Strank, Center for Electromechanics, Cockrell School of Engineering
11:15 a.m. | Networking Lunch and Entrepreneurship Mentorship & Career Lunch
Enjoy lunch and network with fellow attendees.
Entrepreneurship Mentorship & Career Lunch
This combined mentorship and career networking experience gives students direct access to founders, investors, energy leaders, and recruiting organizations shaping the energy landscape.
Startup founders, investors, and senior energy professionals interested in mentoring are invited to participate, as are companies and recruiting organizations interested in connecting with top UT talent. Contact Lisa Hernandez at lisa@energy.utexas.edu for details.
12:30 p.m. | UT Energy Symposium: Electrification of Industry for Lower-Carbon Emissions, The EPIXC Project
Michael Baldea, Professor, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, UT Austin
Hosted by Carey King, Assistant Director, Research Scientist, Energy Institute, UT Austin
The UT Energy Symposium (UTES) is a weekly guest lecture series now in its 30th semester. Free and open to the public, UTES also serves for-course credit course for students. The symposium convenes the campus community and external stakeholders, providing a multidisciplinary platform for energy professionals, UT faculty and students, and the public to engage on today’s most pressing energy challenges.
1:30 p.m. | Networking Break
1:45 p.m. | Breaking Bad News in the Energy Sector
Jeff Hahn, Chief Executive Officer & Author, Hahn
Eric Webber, Assistant Professor, Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations, Moody College of Communication, UT Austin
The energy industry operates in an increasingly volatile communications environment where stakeholder scrutiny, rapid media cycles, and community trust intersect. In this session, Jeff Hahn shares insights from the second edition of “Breaking Bad News”, offering a tactical, behavior-driven approach to crisis communication designed for modern utilities and energy leaders. Complimentary copies of “Breaking Bad News” will be provided to session attendees.
2:15 p.m. | Future Careers in Energy Communications & AI Public Engagement
Moderator: Destin Singleton, Vice President, Energy & Power, Hahn
Scott LaBelle, Communications Manager, Energy & Sustainability, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Vish Kadakia, Managing Director, Hahn
Crystal Myers, Founder, Camway Strategies
Explore the evolving role of energy communications in a digital, data-driven world. A panel of experts will discuss key skills, career pathways, and mentorship opportunities, including AI, policy communications, crisis response, and public engagement. Real-world examples illustrate how tomorrow’s communications professionals influence trust, behavior, and energy outcomes.
3:00 p.m. | Networking Break
3:15 p.m. | Keynote: High Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Key Accelerator for the Energy Industry
Keith Gray, Vice President, Computational Science and Engineering/Ai, EP Research & Technologies, TotalEnergies
3:45 p.m. | Energy Startup Founders
Moderator: Karra Marino, Executive Growth Partner, All In Resources
Timothy “Tip” Meckel, Co-founder, Verified Carbon; Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, UT Austin
Vitaly Sergeev, Founder, Nanoborne
Coleman White, Co-founder, Verified Carbon
4:30 p.m. | Investor Perspectives & Insights
Moderator: Andy Maas, Assistant Vice President for Technology Transfer, Discovery to Impact, UT Austin
Andrew Cabada, Managing Director of Halliburton Labs
David Neff, Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations, Moody College of Communication, UT Austin; Entrepreneur in Residence, Argonne National Laboratory
This panel will explore how early-stage energy investors evaluate new opportunities and make portfolio decisions in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Panelists will discuss how they assess risk, return, and impact when considering emerging energy technologies and business models, and what they look for beyond the pitch deck. The conversation will also touch on market readiness, capital efficiency, regulatory context, and the pathways to scale that shape investment decisions. Attendees will gain a candid look at how investors balance near-term traction with long-term decarbonization impact and what differentiates startups that advance in diligence from those that stall.
5:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks & Energy Research Poster Competition Winner Announced
5:30-7:00 p.m. | Startup Night Reception
Wrap up the day with great conversations, light bites, and a curated selection of beverages.
Students connect with startup founders, investors, and entrepreneurship ecosystem supporters.
6:00 Student Startup Pitches by the Energy Ventures Practicum.
Wednesday, April 8
- Panels, Conversations & Networking
- Campus Energy Tour
- Student Club Mashup
- Industry Networking Reception & Student Career Mixer
View Full Wednesday Agenda
8:00 a.m. | Registration
Breakfast Provided
8:50 a.m. | Welcome Remarks
Fernanda Leite, Interim Vice President, Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors (OVPR), UT Austin
9:00 a.m. | Critical Minerals and Their Importance to Geopolitical Stability
Moderator: Dilawar Syed, Faculty & Sr. Economic Policy Advisor, LBJ School of Public Affairs and McCombs School of Business, UT Austin
Marek Locmelis, Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences & Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, UT Austin
Zacharia Page, Co-Founder, Supra Elemental Recovery; Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry,
UT Austin
10:00 a.m. | Industry Leaders in Dialogue: Sustainable Resourcing of Power and Water for AI and Data Centers
Marilu Hastings, Executive Vice President, Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation; Chair, Energy Institute Advisory Board
Chris Crosby, Chief Executive Officer, COMPASS Datacenter
10:30 a.m. | Networking Break
10:45 a.m. | Informing Energy & Environmental Policymaking: Life Cycle Assessments of Plastic and Alternative Packaging
Experience “XP” Nduagua, Advanced Research Associate, ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
Plastic packaging supports modern life through its versatility, durability, and low cost, but growing demand and challenges in end-of-life (EoL) waste management have intensified calls for robust comparative assessments to guide material substitution decisions. This talk will cover recent cradle-to-EoL life cycle assessments (LCAs) comparing polyethylene (PE)-based packaging and available market alternatives like paper, glass and metals across major applications in the US and Europe, excluding the use phase (e.g., product loss from packaging breakage). The results indicate that substituting PE with alternatives may increase environmental impacts across most impact categories studied, including global warming potential, fossil fuel use, water scarcity and land use. Insights into the cradle-to-EoL potential environmental impacts of high-temperature, chemical recycling pathways for plastic waste will be covered. Policymakers, regulators and decision-makers should weigh the full life cycle impacts of material substitution policies to avoid unintended consequences and support science-based and technology-neutral policy development.
11:15 a.m. | Networking Lunch, Campus Energy Tour, and Student Club Mashup
Enjoy lunch and network with fellow attendees.
Campus Energy Tour
Powered by the Carl J. Eckhardt Combined Heating & Power Complex, the UT Austin campus is one of the nation’s largest microgrids, giving students a unique edge in learning about energy solutions. Join Jim Walker, Director of the Office of Sustainability, for a quick Lunch & Learn session at Energy Week headquarters (San Jacinto Hall), before taking a guided walk (about 10 mins) to the power plant, where Travis Iskason, Assistant Director of Utilities Operations, will lead walking tours of the plant. The group will return together to San Jacinto Hall after the tour. This hands-on experience allows students and energy professionals to see firsthand how UT’s power plant generates 100% of the campus’ electricity, heating, and cooling.
Note: The power plant tour can accommodate up to 30 people; availability is first come, first served.
Tour Schedule*
11:45am: Lunch & Learn (San Jacinto Hall)
12:15pm: Depart San Jacinto Hall
12:30pm: Tour Carl J. Eckhardt Combined Heating & Power Complex
1:10pm: Arrive back at San Jacinto Hall
*Weather-permitting.
Jim Walker, Director, Office of Sustainability
Ryan Thompson, Director of Utilities, Utilities and Energy Management
Travis Iskason, Assistant Director of Utilities Operations, Utilities and Energy Management
Student Club Mashup
Hosted by the Energy Institute Student Energy Engagement Council (SEEC), the Mashup brings together UT’s student organizations across energy, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Discover new groups, spark collaborations, and find your people!
Want your organization to be part of the action? Reach out to Kohl Lasell at kohl.lasell@energy.utexas.edu for more information.
1:15 p.m. | Industry Leaders in Dialogue: Energy Resource Expansion Across Texas and Beyond
Liz Ramsey Dalton, Co-Founder and Partner, Mission Strategies; Board Member, Energy Institute Advisory Board
François Good, SVP Refining & Petrochemicals Americas and Country Chair USA, TotalEnergies
1:45 p.m. | Aligning Power, Water, Land, and Community To De-Risk Data Center Growth
Ning Lin, Chief Economist, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geoscience, UT Austin
2:10 p.m. | Geothermal Energy Resources to Sustainably Power AI & Data Centers
Ken Wisian, Associate Director, Environmental Division, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geoscience, UT Austin
2:30 p.m. | Networking Break
2:45 p.m. | Between Two Cacti with Gabriel Rio
Brian Korgel, Director, Energy Institute, UT Austin
Gabriel Rio, President & Chief Executive Officer, Milestone Environmental Services
Between Two Cacti is the Energy Institute’s signature conversational series, where Director Brian Korgel sits down, literally between two cacti, with leading voices in energy. Recorded during Energy Week at The University of Texas at Austin, these candid conversations explore big ideas, industry insights, and the personal stories shaping the future of energy. Expect fresh perspectives, thoughtful dialogue, and a little Texas charm along the way.
3:15 p.m. | Roadmapping the Energy Industry: People, Places & Innovation Pathways
Moderator: Haibin Xu, Energy Executive in Residence, Energy Institute, UT Austin
Andrejka Bernatova, Founder &. Chief Executive Officer, Dynamix Corporation
Jean-François Leleu-Eponville, Global Talent Manager, SLB
Sylvain Ribat, Chief Executive Officer North America, Geostock
4:00 p.m. | Energy Without Borders: Regional Insights on Global Trends, Risk, and Opportunity
Moderator: Samuel Mercer, PhD Candidate, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, UT Austin;
President, Longhorn Energy Club
Emmanuel Henriet, Energy Institute Senior Research Fellow, UT Austin
Hisnaori Nei, President & Chief Executive Officer, Japan Underground Oil Storage; Professor Emeritus, GRIPS
Jorge Piñon, Energy Institute Senior Research Collaborator, UT Austin
4:45 p.m. | Status of Beneficial Reuse of Produced Water in the Permian Basin
Moderator: Rajendra Ghimire, Vice President of Business Development, Badwater Alchemy; Board Member, Produced Water Society
Robert Sadlier, Deputy Director, Water Quality Division, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Ted Wooten, Chief Engineer, Oil & Gas Division, Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC)
5:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks
5:30-7:00 p.m. | Networking Reception & Career Mixer
Wrap up the day with great conversations, light bites, and a curated selection of beverages.
Energy Career Mixer
Students can connect directly with energy companies and organizations at the career mixer, explore opportunities, build relationships, and take the next step toward your career in energy.
Companies and organizations interested in connecting with top UT talent are invited to participate. Contact Lisa Hernandez at lisa@energy.utexas.edu.
Thursday, April 9
- Panels, Conversations & Networking
- Interdisciplinary Case Competition
- Energy & Environment Mentorship Lunch
- UT Energy Week Closing Reception
View Full Thursday Agenda
8:00 a.m. | Registration
Breakfast Provided
8:50 a.m. | Welcome Remarks
Brian Korgel, Director, Energy Institute, UT Austin
9:00 a.m. | Nuclear Power
Moderator: Andy Uhler, Energy Reporter in Residence, Energy Institute, UT Austin
Jason Cooper, President & Chief Executive Officer, GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Sunil Felix, CEA Nuclear Counsellor, French Embassy
Matthew McClellan, Cost Engineer, Aalo Atomics
10:00 a.m. | Powering Data Centers
Moderator: Kenan Ögelman, VP, Strategic Projects and Optimization, Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
Doug Lewin, Energy Market Development, Texas Lead, Google
Vandana Singh, Senior Vice President Secure Power Division North America, Schneider Electric
Randa Stephenson, Chief Operating Officer, Wholesale Power, Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
10:45 a.m. | Networking Break
11:00 a.m. | The Critical Role of Energy Advocacy in Policymaking in Texas
Moderator: Tiffany Wu, Energy Markets and Regulatory Consultant, McAdams Energy Group
Matthew Boms, Executive Director, Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA), Advanced Energy United
David Holt, President, Consumer Energy Alliance
11:45 a.m. | Networking Lunch, Energy & Environment Mentorship Lunch, and Interdisciplinary Case Competition Winner Announced
Enjoy lunch and network with fellow attendees.
Energy & Environment Mentorship Lunch
Students may participate in the mentorship lunch, where they will join a small group of peers and a mentor of their choice, professionals working across energy and environmental fields. This interactive setting offers candid career insights, practical advice, and meaningful connections in a focused, small-group format.
Director-level and above energy and environmental professionals are invited to mentor and engage with top UT students through this program. Contact Lisa Hernandez at lisa@energy.utexas.edu to learn more.
1:15 p.m. | Keynote: U.S. Solar Panel Manufacturing
Dan Barcelo, Chairman & CEO, T1 Energy
1:45 p.m. | Energy Leaders in Dialogue
Jim Davis, President, UT Austin
Rudy Garza, Chief Executive Officer, CPS Energy
2:15 p.m. | Networking Break
2:30 p.m. | Phases & Stages: Austin, Season 1 Finale
Moderator: Brandon Mulder, Energy Journalism Fellow, Energy Institute
Andy Uhler, Energy Reporter in Residence, Energy Institute
Special Guests from the podcast
The first season of “Phases and Stages: The Texas Energy Story” concludes where it started…or at least where the production team lives: Austin. Legislation passed in the state capital affects every aspect of the energy industry and that regulation (or lack of it) controls the pace and extent of any energy transition or expansion. This panel will hear from the podcast host and executive producer about lessons learned on the road. We’ll also hear from lawmakers and industry experts about how all roads, both the fast lanes and the roadblocks, lead to Austin.
3:15 p.m. | Between Two Cacti with Shawn Cumberland
Shawn Cumberland, Managing Partner, Energy Transition, Encap Investments
Brian Korgel, Director, Energy Institute, UT Austin
Between Two Cacti is the Energy Institute’s signature conversational series, where Director Brian Korgel sits down, literally between two cacti, with leading voices in energy. Recorded during Energy Week at The University of Texas at Austin, these candid conversations explore big ideas, industry insights, and the personal stories shaping the future of energy. Expect fresh perspectives, thoughtful dialogue, and a little Texas charm along the way.
3:45 p.m. | Energy Innovation in the United States and Beyond
Moderator: Sergio Castellanos, Assistant Professor, Maseeh Department of Civil Architectural and Environmental Engineering, UT Austin
Akilah LeBlanc, General Manager, Open Innovation, Shell
Alain Rouault, Chief Executive Officer North America, Watt & Well
Shigeki Uchihashi, Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Venturing, JERA America
4:30 p.m. | Keynote: Anne-Laure Chassanite, Engie
Anne-Laure Chassanite, Chief Executive Officer, Engie Resources (B2B Power Retail), ENGIE North America
5:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks
5:00-6:30 p.m. | Networking Reception
Join us as we celebrate UT Energy Week with an evening of connection and conversation. Reconnect with speakers, industry leaders, and fellow attendees as we wrap up an impactful week.
Friday, April 10
- KBH Energy Center Spring Energy Student Summit Presents Power the Next Decade
View Full Friday Agenda
8:30 a.m. | Registration
Breakfast Provided
9:00 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions
9:05 a.m. | Keynote: Building Energy for a Changing World
Brittany Kelm, Senior Policy Advisor, National Energy Dominance Council
9:45 a.m. | Delivering on US Power Needs Over the Coming Decade
Dr. Derek Haas, UT Associate Professor of Nuclear and Radiation Engineering, consultant to nuclear energy development companies and co-founder of NuWells Energy
Jaime Gualy, COO of vertically integrated U.S. solar and battery storage leader T1 Energy
Mike Wichterich, Interim CEO, Expand Energy
10:30 a.m. | Keynote
Omead Afshar, Former Senior Executive, Tesla
11:10 a.m. | Infrastructure Build-Out as a Foundation for the US and Texas AI Opportunity
Sam Siegel, VP of Business Development at Vistra
Michael McKissack, EVP Strategy at WTG
Therese Kerfoot, EVP of Strategy at Edgecore Digital Infrastructure
11:50 a.m. | Networking Break & Lunch
12:05 p.m. | Power Project Case Study – US Battery Storage, Facilitating the US Energy Transition
Travis Cook, Associate, Capital Markets & Project Finance, Jupiter Power
12:50 p.m. | How Will Public Policy and Grid Underpin Texas’ Bullish Economic Outlook
Morgan Johnson, Commissioner with Public Utility Commission of Texas
Katharine McAden, Head of Public Policy and External Affairs, South Region at Google
Chad Seely, SVP Regulatory Policy, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for ERCOT
1:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks
Thank you to our sponsors!
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