Posters with Purpose: How the UT Energy Week 2025 Poster Competition Sparked Dialogue and Discovery
At this year’s Energy Week, the Interdisciplinary Student Research Poster Competition proved that the future of energy research is not only bright—it’s interdisciplinary, collaborative, and deeply rooted in innovation.
Hosted by the Energy Institute in partnership with the Longhorn Energy Club, American Nuclear Society and Switch Energy Club, the competition brought together undergraduate and graduate student researchers from across the Forty Acres and beyond, to present work in two tracks: (1) Energy Technologies & Innovations, and (2) Energy Policy, Law, Finance, and Economics. With over $9,000 in prizes awarded, the event celebrated standout work and amplified it.
The Poster Competition fostered dialogue that helped students break from their academic silos. The event sparked conversations that extended far beyond the posters themselves.
"The UT Energy Week Poster Competition was more than a research showcase—it became a catalyst for cross-disciplinary dialogue on cutting-edge energy solutions,” said Pranav Thacker, Second Place Winner in the Energy Technology track and PhD candidate in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering. “Beyond presenting posters, participants exchanged ideas on entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and ways to strengthen the impact of ongoing research.”
Research in the Following Areas Was Included
Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage (CCUS): Significant focus on advanced materials (ionic liquids, membranes, NASICON, ionogels) and process modeling for integrated capture-conversion systems.
Hydrogen Technologies and Storage: A growing interest in green hydrogen production, underground storage, and hybrid hydrogen-renewable systems for decarbonization and grid integration.
Battery Innovation and Electrochemistry: Diverse research on next-gen batteries (sodium, potassium, zinc), solid electrolytes, dendrite suppression, and interphase stabilization for improved performance.
Renewables and Grid Optimization: Offshore wind, photovoltaics, microgrids, and predictive modeling for more resilient, emissions-reducing energy systems.
Advanced Modeling and Controls: AI-driven forecasting, fuzzy logic, and neural networks applied to power electronics, hydrogen storage, and system operation optimization.
Waste Management and Circular Economy: Innovative use of spent materials (nuclear fuel, piperazine reclaiming, seismic waste data) for sustainable energy applications.
Celebrating the Winners
In the Energy Technology track, first place went to Matthew Davenport, a fourth year PhD student in Chemical Engineering at UT, earned $2,000 for his outstanding research on advanced, silver-based membranes that boost the efficiency of separating olefins—key building blocks in plastics and fuels—while reducing energy use and chemical waste. The second-place prize was split between Natalia Cislo, a first year UT PdD student in Chemical Engineering, and Pranav Thacker, a third-year PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering who each received $1,000. Sebastian Pineda Garcia, an undergraduate who travelled from the Universidad de las Américas Puebla near Mexico City was awarded the top undergraduate prize, while Nathan Balaich a PdD student in Chemical Engineering won the Audience Choice Award.
In the Energy Policy track, Laura Rivera Gomez, second year UT student in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and M.B.A. candidate secured first place and a $2,000 prize. Margarita Petrusevich PhD Researcher in the UT Department of Economics earned second place ($1,000), while Noah Watson, a second year UT student studying chemical engineering was recognized as the top undergraduate. Cameron Andrews, at the LBJ School receiving his Master of Public Affairs won the Audience Choice Award in this category.
Cross-Campus Collaboration, Real-World Impact
"Almost every field of study at a university can inform how we extract and use energy," said Bob Villwock, Associate Director of Intellectual Property at Discovery to Impact and one of this year’s judges. “The Energy Week poster competition highlights this diversity via the research expertise across the UT campus and the state. It’s a great place to learn what you don’t know and be inspired by the students’ excitement and brilliance. I especially enjoy meeting the undergraduates who have already taken the plunge into research!"
Beyond recognition and monetary awards, the competition served as a launching pad for future research partnerships, career connections, and collaborative exploration. By giving visibility to early-stage research and supporting student work, the Energy Institute continues to foster a culture of inquiry, excellence, and public impact.
“Every year, I’m astounded by the brilliance, creativity, and dedication energy students bring to the UT Energy Week Poster Competition. It’s a powerful reminder of the innovation happening across campus and throughout the region; it’s one of the highlights of Energy Week for me personally. I’m excited to continue building on this competition in the years ahead as we build a stronger, more connected energy research community.”
— Dr. Brian Korgel, Director, Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin