Ganesh Thakur named president of Texas science academy

Indian American professor to help develop opportunities for the next generation of scientific leaders in the U.S. and worldwide

By Arun Kumar

Indian American professor Ganesh Thakur has been named president of Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST), a top interdisciplinary body fostering collaboration to advance research, innovation and business in Texas, for a two-year term.

Dr. Thakur is a Distinguished Petroleum Engineering and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Professor at the Cullen College of Engineering and Director for Energy Industry Partnerships at the University of Houston (UH).

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He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Inventors. In addition, Dr. Thakur has previously served as TAMEST Vice President, TAMEST Treasurer, and TAMEST Treasurer-elect. He is also the former President of the Society of Petroleum Engineers International, representing over 125,000 members worldwide, according to a news release.

“I am honored to become President of TAMEST and love the collaborative spirit of the organization, which allows prominent research leaders across the state to come together to deliberate and support research in medicine, engineering, science, and technology,” Dr. Thakur said.

“TAMEST has always supported the best and brightest in our state, and I look forward to helping carry on its mission while continuing to develop opportunities for the next generation of scientific leaders within the state of Texas, the US, and worldwide.”

Dr. Thakur is also a recipient of the Governor’s University Research Initiative (GURI) grant, which helped bring him to UH where he is helping lead the nation in cutting-edge research and further elevating future generations of students and faculty while spearheading new breakthroughs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine, all of which are crucial to the long-term success of the Texas economy.

Dr. Thakur’s current research interests include a multi-disciplinary, innovative, and integrated approach to Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) – a means to combat climate change, the recovery of oil and gas through research of CO2 – EOR (enhanced oil recovery), water injection, and integrated reservoir management for conventional & unconventional reservoirs.

He has published over 100 journal articles and conference papers and holds five patents. In August 2024, Dr. Thakur received the Governor’s University Research Initiative Distinguished Researcher award.