2025-2026 Executive Board

Strategy

Samuel Mercer
President

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

PhD in Chemical Engineering ‘28

Administration

Thomas LaMotte
Vice Chair

  • Description text goes here

BS in Mechanical Engineering ‘28

Briefing

Letzter Zhang
Briefing Chair

  • Description text goes here

PhD in Government ‘30

Damjan Zecjevic
VP of Research

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

Mahathi Harith
VP of Events

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

Jackson Awtry
Energy Markets

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

PhD in Electrical Engineering ‘29

BS in Chemical Engineering ‘28

BS in Petroleum Engineering ‘28

Angel Zepeda
VP of Entrepreneurship

Annabelle Harvey
VP of Events

Jack Radosevich
Energy Markets

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

BS in Economics ‘27

BS in General Geology ‘28

BS in Petroleum Engineering ‘29

Sophia Shi
VP of Sponsorships

Samanvita Kasibhatla
VP of Socials

Ahmad Hassan
Energy Markets

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

PhD in Chemical Engineering ‘27

BS in Chemical Engineering ‘29

BBA in Finance ‘29

AJ Cott
VP of Sponsorships

Sunishka Bera
VP of Socials

Andrew Igdal
Geopolitics

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

BBA in Finance ‘29

PhD in Mechanical Engineering ‘27

PhD in Public Policy ‘28

Kamp Davis
VP of Sponsorships

John (Jack) Grove
VP of Finance

Indigo Keener
Geopolitics/Policy

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

BS in Petroleum Engineering ‘28

BS in Chemical Engineering ‘29

MA in Energy and Earth Resources ‘28

Hamad Alsaiari
VP of External Relations

Parnian Ebrahimi
VP of Finance

Ava Russell
Tech/Investments

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

MS in Operations Research ‘27

BBA in Finance ‘28

BS in Geophysics ‘28

Sam Rogers
VP of External Relations

Nischal Konduri
VP of Marketing

Akshat Singh
Tech/Investments

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

BA in Plan II Honors ‘28

BS in Chemical Engineering ‘29

PhD in Chemical Engineering ‘27

Christina Al Tawil
VP of Professional Development

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

Cecilia Castillo
Tech/Investments

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

PhD in Chemical Engineering ‘27

BS in Electrical Engineering ‘27

Bradley Moraes
VP of Professional Development

  • Sam is a PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and advised by Dr. Michael Baldea. His research focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of electrified chemical manufacturing processes. Prior to UT, Sam worked on IoT sensor networks with Amazon Web Services and catalysis research for energy and battery applications at the University of Florida, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now National Lab of the Rockies), and his alma mater—the University of New Hampshire (2023). In Austin, Sam has been involved with Texas Venture Labs on business model innovations that reduce supply chain disruptions in power systems and serves on the KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council. As a TEX-E Fellow, he collaborates with climate-/deep-tech entrepreneurs in Houston and Boston. Sam has been recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow (GRFP), Barry Goldwater Scholar, and national winner of the 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Process Design Competition as well as a U.S. Finalist for both Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. After hours, he enjoys watching college sports, playing piano, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

BS in Mechanical Engineering ‘28