PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (December 16, 2025) — Raghava Kommalapati, Ph.D., Honeywell Endowed Professor and professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Ananda Amarasekara, Ph.D., Regents Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Prairie View A&M University, have been awarded a $320,000 grant from Shell Global Solutions to support research in sustainable aviation fuels.
The research team plants to develop innovative catalytic approaches to convert biomass derived feedstocks into sustainable aviation fuels. This approach aims to address global demand for cleaner, more efficient energy sources and support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the aviation industry.
Raghava Kommalapati, Ph.D.
The collaboration will leverage Shell’s expertise and PVAMU’s research capabilities with the goal of advancing catalyst development and conversion techniques, contributing valuable knowledge to the broader scientific and engineering community. Outcomes are expected to include peer-reviewed publications and intellectual property filings that explore the fundamental chemistry behind transforming polysaccharides into hydrocarbons.
The grant will also focus on strengthening student and postdoctoral training at PVAMU. One graduate student will complete a master’s thesis based on the project’s findings, and a postdoctoral research associate will receive specialized training and professional development through hands-on research engagement.
This award highlights PVAMU’s increasing influence as a leader in sustainable energy research. The project not only expands the University’s portfolio in renewable fuels and environmental innovation but also enhances opportunities for students and researchers to contribute to solutions that support global decarbonization and long-term energy resilience.
By Joe McGinty, with contributions from Alexandra Smith, Shell Global Solutions