PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – Shell’s Energy Transition team visited Prairie View A&M University to get their new Vice President, Andrey Shuvalov, acquainted with the PVAMU’s Division of Research and Innovation, led by Executive Director R. Krishnamoorthi, and check the progress of the projects funded by the company, in partnership with several colleges including the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences. 

In January 2022, Shell and PVAMU inked a $6 million deal focused on projects aimed toward energy research innovation and agriculture. CAHS researchers’ studies on carbon sequestration, effective carbon dioxide utilization, and further crop and soil studies are compatible with Shell’s commitment to reducing gas emissions worldwide. The purpose of the April 5 visit was to discuss current priorities and find new ways for Shell to offer further support. 

Shell is focused on its goal of meeting the requirements outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and oil dependency and reaching net zero by 2050, with the help of nature-based research led by professors Javad Barouei, Ph.D., Laura Carson, Ph.D., Ram Ray, Ph.D., Peter Ampim, Ph.D., Ali Fares, Ph.D., and more across PVAMU.  

“We really see universities as key to developing a lot of the technologies we’re going to need over the next couple of decades to actually reach net zero,” Shell’s Energy Transition Advisor Oscar Herdocia said. “Being able to work with [PVAMU] and your students and solving real-world problems is valuable to us. We want to partner with people for change.” 

Shuvalov says this partnership is the perfect blend of his team’s new goals, which include directly aiding surrounding communities by decarbonizing their everyday products. 

“There are two elements that are really important to us,” Shuvalov said. “One is partnering with academia and promoting research and the second part is supporting the community outright. Our headquarters are in Houston, we are dedicated to the area, and I am excited that PVAMU is getting the attention from Shell.” 

One area that both Shell and PVAMU want to focus more on is involving students in the research in a meaningful way and bringing them into the fold organically. A goal for this collaboration is to open a recruitment channel for students to work for Shell and forage new paths for energy solutions for the future.  

After the roundtable discussion, the Shell team took a guided tour of the CAHS greenhouse which included research led by Aruna Weerasooriya, Ph.D., on Gov. Bill and Vara Daniels Farm and Ranch. 

Pascale Mondesir
Communication Specialist II
pamondesir@pvamu.edu