Thirteen graduate students are getting an opportunity to further their research and future careers by receiving the Francine & James Srygley ‘54 Fellowship for the 2024-2025 year.
This year’s students include Shoity Das, Christy Sani, Samriddhi Naik, Saatvi Suresh, Valeria Alvarado Tejeda, Laxmi Kanth Thangi, Anusha Geesala, Kedar Hastagiri, Savannah Pas, Jaineel Modi, Nandu Giri, Nitin Vedanarayanan Pandiyan, and Samynaathan Viswanathan.
The fellowship emphasizes the work these students have contributed to the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering and gives them the chance to continue their research. Although each student’s study is individually tailored to their expertise, all have expressed the significance this fellowship will have on their fieldwork.
Shoity Das
I joined Texas A&M University as a master's student in Fall 2023. I'm currently working in the field of catalysis for research under the guidance of Dr. Manish Shetty. My research aims to develop advanced catalytic processes that efficiently convert plastic waste into valuable raw materials, addressing the growing plastic pollution crisis. Receiving this fellowship is a significant milestone in my research journey, providing me with support to invest in fostering valuable insights and knowledge exchange. Ultimately, this opportunity empowers me to drive impactful solutions that not only advance scientific understanding but also promote practical applications in industry and policy.
Anusha Geesala
I am Anusha Geesala, a master’s student in the department of chemical engineering. I am immensely grateful to the Dept of CHEN for awarding me the Francine and James Srygley Fellowship, which has profoundly transformed my academic journey. This generous support has alleviated my financial concerns, allowing me to fully concentrate on my studies and career development. Beyond covering tuition and expenses, the fellowship has opened doors to invaluable mentorship and networking opportunities. It has also enabled me to focus on my research into printed circuit boards, specifically glass-based variants that outperform traditional substrates in high-frequency applications through innovative nanocomposites.
Nandu Giri
The Francine & James Srygley ’54 Fellowship is invaluable in advancing my education and career in chemical engineering. By alleviating tuition costs, it provides critical financial support that allows me to fully engage in my studies and focus on deepening my academic foundation. The fellowship also encourages me to excel in my current role as a process engineer co-op, where I am gaining valuable practical experience. Furthermore, it enables me to explore impactful research in sustainable energy and carbon capture within our department, helping me contribute to innovative solutions for environmental challenges and expand my skills in a field that I am passionate about.
Kedar Hastagiri
The Francine and James Srygley ’54 Fellowship supports my research in hydrogen production, allowing me to tackle key challenges in the field. My work focuses on optimizing conventional and renewable-based hydrogen production processes to enhance efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By applying techniques such as process integration, energy analysis, and life cycle assessment, I aim to make these methods more economically viable and sustainable. This fellowship enables me to explore innovative solutions and further my commitment to advancing clean energy. My passion for sustainable energy drives me to contribute to a cleaner and more efficient future.
Jaineel Modi
Receiving this fellowship is a significant opportunity for me, as it allows me to pursue impactful research in chemical engineering. My interests lie in process design, optimization, and sustainability, with a focus on integrating innovative technologies to improve resource efficiency. Beyond financial support, this fellowship serves as a catalyst for change, offering the resources and guidance necessary to explore innovative solutions in sustainable engineering. It marks a pivotal step in my academic and professional journey, empowering me to drive advancements in the field and contribute to a more efficient, environmentally conscious future for both industry and society. Additionally, this fellowship helps me build connections with industry experts, laying a strong foundation for my future career in chemical engineering.
Samriddhi Naik
I am incredibly grateful to the chemical engineering department at Texas A&M for awarding me this fellowship. As a graduate student working under Dr. Qingsheng Wang, my research focuses on developing sustainable lithium processing methods that reduce CO2 emissions and promote material recycling. This fellowship has been invaluable in allowing me to focus on this important work and accelerate my progress. Your generous support directly enhances my ability to contribute to solutions that address critical environmental challenges, and I sincerely appreciate the department's dedication to empowering students in their pursuit of impactful, innovative research.
Nitin Vedanarayanan Pandiyan
Receiving this fellowship is a meaningful step in my academic journey, allowing me to focus on research in seawater desalination. This field is crucial for addressing global water scarcity, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, toward more sustainable solutions. The fellowship provides the support I need to continue learning and improving, while opening doors to collaborate with others in the field. I’m humbled by this recognition, and it motivates me to work harder, knowing there’s much more to learn and many challenges to tackle in making clean water accessible for all.
Savannah Pas
My name is Savannah Pas, and I am a Master of Science student working on synthesis and applications of Ti3C2 materials under the supervision of Dr. Micah Green. My research is primarily focused on synthesis of MXenes, which are ternary metal carbide structures made from MAX phases (eg Ti3AlC2). When we etch the MAX phase, we remove the A-layer and obtain MXenes (eg Ti3C2). This fellowship has given me the opportunity to spend more time in the lab and focus on my research, as well as purchase textbooks for my courses to graduate in December. This support has been invaluable in furthering my research and has inspired me to pursue my Ph.D. in the spring with Dr. Green.
Christy Sani
The Francine & James Srygley ’54 Scholarship, is providing invaluable support for my research on carbon capture under the mentorship of Dr. Mahmoud El-Halwagi. My thesis focuses on developing and optimizing sustainable carbon capture strategies for integration into eco-industrial parks. This scholarship enables me to access advanced tools and resources necessary for process simulation and optimization, while my internship at Audubon Carbon offers hands-on experience in the carbon management industry. Together, these opportunities will help me contribute significantly to the development of innovative, cost-effective carbon capture solutions for a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.
Saatvi Suresh
If people say that dreams beyond the realm of reality can’t come true, they are wrong! The Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering has proven that if one is ready to persevere, monetary constraints cannot block their aspirations. With my financial burden eased, I can immerse myself in helping decision-makers choose their best decarbonization strategies from optimal operational schedules. Chemical engineering is a broad discipline, and placing an impartial touch to every research scope is a feat the department has performed with grace. I would like to use this opportunity to thank the department for their confidence in my abilities.
Valeria Alvarado Tejeda
I am very grateful to Dr. James M. and Mrs. Francine Srygley for this fellowship. It alleviates the financial burden of graduate school, allowing me to focus on my research in sustainable hydrogen production. Knowing that I have the support of generous individuals like the Srygleys is incredibly motivating. Their belief in my work inspires me to continue striving for innovative solutions in clean energy. I look forward to making a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable future through this opportunity.
Laxmi Kanth Thangi
I am deeply grateful to receive the Francine & James Srygley ’54 Fellowship, which has had a profound impact on my academic and professional journey. This generous support has relieved the financial burden of tuition, allowing me to fully dedicate myself to my studies and research. I am currently working on thermal interface materials, which are key to improving heat transfer in electronic devices. Beyond funding, the fellowship has provided access to invaluable mentorship and opportunities that are helping shape my future career as it not only supports my education but also strengthens my ability to contribute meaningfully to my field.
Samynaathan Viswanathan
I am honored to have received a fellowship from the department of chemical engineering, which helps me balance my living expenses at in College Station. I work with Professor Mark Holtzapple's group in the chemical engineering department. My work focuses on the impact of feedstock composition to improve the production of food-grade carboxylic acids. This work can be extended to optimize biofuel production. I am excited to make meaningful advancements in this vital area of energy transition. This fellowship represents a significant step forward in my academic and professional journey, reinforcing my commitment to contributing to a more sustainable future through engineering innovations.