The University of Houston, known as the Energy University, has recognized the achievements of four outstanding individuals of Indian origin, namely Aparajita Datta, Chirag Goel, Swapnil Sharma, and Meghana Idamakanti, who have been selected as part of the inaugural cohort of UH-Chevron Energy Graduate Fellows. This distinguished group of fellows is characterized by their diverse research interests within the field of energy, as stated by the University.
Among this group, Aparajita Datta, a doctoral student in political science, stands out. Her research will delve into the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a welfare policy designed to aid households in paying their energy bills. A graduate of the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies in India, Datta’s academic focus is on public policy and international relations, with a specific emphasis on policy feedback analysis aimed at enhancing energy equity and affordability for low-income communities. She attributes her research motivation to her prior work evaluating the effects of state climate policies on energy costs for different socioeconomic groups. Her research revolves around investigating the administrative burdens of LIHEAP and strategies to alleviate these burdens, particularly for racial minorities.
Chirag Goel, a materials science and engineering research scholar at UH, has an impressive background with numerous research papers to his name. Having obtained his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from UH in 2020, he aspires to make significant contributions to materials science and energy technologies.
Swapnil Sharma, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, is currently pursuing research in the William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. In 2021, he co-founded a web-based non-profit app called CovRelief, dedicated to tracking the availability of hospital beds, oxygen suppliers, and updated state helpline numbers during the pandemic. Sharma’s academic achievements include multiple patents related to the development of the world’s highest fiber-count optical fiber cable.
Meghana Idamakanti, a third-year doctoral student in the William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. Her research endeavors are oriented towards contributing to sustainable energy initiatives, with a specific focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Funded by Chevron, this prestigious fellowship provides vital support to graduate students’ research endeavors, offering a one-year, $12,000 stipend along with mentorship from esteemed faculty members. Furthermore, it provides the invaluable opportunity for fellows to engage with subject matter experts at Chevron, as detailed by the University of Houston.
