Austin, TX
Combining Energy With Computational Science, UT Launches Program To Bolster Texas, U.S. Energy Dominance
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin is giving energy students an unprecedented opportunity to harness computational science to make nuclear, oil and gas, and other energy systems safer and more efficient. The initiative provides students with exposure to the latest advances in computational science that are revolutionizing the energy sector and aligns with the State of Texas’ priority to train the future nuclear workforce and accelerate next-generation nuclear development and deployment.
Through access to digital twin technology, artificial intelligence, and the world’s fastest academic supercomputer, the KBH Computational Energy Fellows Program will prepare students for careers at the forefront of energy innovation. Launching in Spring 2026, the program is a collaboration between UT’s world-renowned Oden Institute for Computational Engineering & Sciences and the Kay Bailey Hutchison (KBH) Energy Center, made possible by a generous grant from the O’Donnell Foundation.
UT leads the nation in scale, depth and breadth of energy programs and expertise, advancing solutions across the full spectrum of energy. The new fellows program will bolster the energy workforce with a unique combination of experience and awareness necessary for Texas and U.S. producers to increase their competitive advantage as energy demand soars.
“Crafting experiences for students to have exposure to cutting-edge energy digital twin applications and high-performance computing is something that no other university could do, and it positions our graduates to enter the energy sector with a unique set of perspectives,” said Karen Willcox, director of the Oden Institute.
“This is a very special moment in the Oden Institute’s history,” Willcox said. “Not only does this program represent an exciting new partnership with the KBH Energy Center, it also brings our partnership with the O’Donnell Foundation full circle — from their early transformative investments in computational and applied mathematics to realizing the societal impact of those foundational ingredients through applications of digital twin technology and artificial intelligence in the energy sector.”
“The O’Donnell Foundation’s commitment to higher education and scientific research has been instrumental in positioning Texas as a leader in innovation,” said former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, the center’s founding member. “By building on the O’Donnell Foundation’s commitment to advancing energy production capabilities to meet our country’s vital needs, this fellowship aims to equip the next generation of energy leaders to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving field, ensuring the United States maintains its leadership position in the world.”
About the Fellowship
Students in the KBH Energy Minor Program and the KBH Student Advisory Council will participate in immersive learning opportunities that include nuclear test reactors at UT’s J.J. Pickle Research Campus and a small modular reactor at Abilene Christian University. These tools allow researchers to test and refine energy applications virtually, improving safety and efficiency before real-world deployment.
KBH Fellows will:
- Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in the Energy Studies Minor and KBH Energy Center Student Advisory Council.
- Lead workshops and presentations on cutting-edge computational topics, such as digital twins and artificial intelligence.
- Foster connections between academia and the energy industry, helping bridge the gap between computational science and practical energy solutions.
The KBH Computational Energy Fellows Program will be administered by the Oden Institute, with programming support from the KBH Energy Center. The program will begin taking applications Jan. 5, 2026.
About the KBH Energy Center
The Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center unites the McCombs School of Business, the School of Law, the Cockrell School of Engineering and the Jackson School of Geosciences. The center is dedicated to preparing the next generation of energy leaders through its interdisciplinary Energy Studies Minor, which combines technical expertise, business acumen and experiential learning. The minor also includes an intensive summer program with opportunities for students to visit energy companies across the state.
About the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering & Sciences
The Oden Institute, a global leader in computational sciences for more than 50 years, brings together more than 140 affiliated faculty members from across UT’s campus to tackle society’s grand challenges. The institute’s cutting-edge research spans traditional and emerging energy sectors including nuclear energy, subsurface modeling, advanced materials, and exploration of transformative artificial intelligence and digital twins. With a robust graduate program and one of the largest postdoctoral fellow populations on campus, the institute is at the forefront of educating the next generation of interdisciplinary leaders in computing.
The Texas Longhorns are less than two months away from starting their regular season slate of the 2026 schedule.
Just like last season, the Longhorns have been given unrealistic expectations by some, but will look to avoid the slow start that had everyone counting them out in September. On paper, the Longhorns should be a lot better than they were last season.
A national championship run should be on the table for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his team. One of the reasons that is a possibility is due to the Longhorns have something in common with previous national championship winners.
Legacy Year
Last season, the college football world was enamored by the Indiana Hoosiers. A program that no one saw ever winning the national championship, was hoisting the trophy at the end of the season.
Now, the Hoosiers had a talented roster from top to bottom. But the play of starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the leading factor in this team reaching the mountaintop.
Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has the chance to make that same impression this season. After his first full season as the starting quarterback in Austin last year, there is a growing confidence that Manning is going to be on another level in 2026.
Last season, Manning threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdown passes. If you were to compare those numbers to Mendoza’s last season, the Hoosiers quarterback threw for 3,535 yards and an impressive 41 touchdown passes.
Those numbers make it clear that Manning will have to elevate his performance this season. With a revamped offensive line, the Longhorns quarterback may have the time to rival the numbers of Mendoza from this past season.
But another key piece to the Longhorns’ 2026 roster is a massive wide receiver addition.
It’s going to take the whole village, and Coach Sarkisian went out and got one of the most talented wide receivers in the transfer portal with Cam Coleman.
Coleman had two solid years with the Auburn Tigers and now will look to be the deep field threat for Manning and the Longhorns. The junior receiver’s addition to the roster could take this offensive unit to being one of the top units in the country.
All championship teams have a quarterback who could lead them to victory. Manning could very well be the next elite quarterback to hold a national championship trophy.
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Join several Austin labor unions and community members to honor Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s life and the countless immigrants who have been impacted by ICE.
The community vigil will take place at the Wildflower Church on Saturday, July 11th starting at 6 PM. All are welcome to bring flowers and candles as we honor the loss of life and grieve the separation of families.
Community Vigil Details
🗓️ July 11, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
🗺️ 1314 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
🚗 Public transit and rideshare encouraged! Limited parking available and overflow parking may be available at Travis High School.
Please consider donating to the family’s GoFundMe if you are able: https://bit.ly/atx4lorenzo
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A report released by the think tank Texas 2036 claims that ten state laws implemented between 2019 and 2025 led to “one of the nation’s most comprehensive strategies for connecting education to careers.”
The report is titled “The Next Generation of the Texas Miracle.” It can be read below.
Mary Lynn Pruneda, Texas 2036’s director of education and workforce policy, said in an announcement accompanying the report that the reforms have been steps in the right direction.
“Texas has a bright economic future ahead of it, but we have to make sure that Texas students are equipped to share in this prosperity,” she said. “Texas needs to double down on improving and investing in high-quality career pathways so that all Texas students can take part in the Texas Miracle. Thankfully, due to the Legislature’s great work over the past four sessions, we are on our way to that critical goal.”
The report gives several data points, such as a 532% increase in high schoolers earning “post-secondary credentials” since 2018, or that community colleges awarded 140,000 “credentials of value” in 2024.
It paints a rosy picture of the future Texas economy, but doesn’t source its data or explain how it reached these conclusions. It’s apparent that the think tank wants further laws related to Texas’ workforce and education.
“Texas 2036 is actively engaged in that process, pushing for data modernization and interoperability reforms that would allow the state to track whether credentials are meeting real employer needs in communities across the state,” said the think tank in its announcement.
Grace Atkins, policy advisor of postsecondary education for Texas 2036, called the think tank’s report “encouraging.”
“The early results are encouraging: more students are earning credentials that can help them move into good jobs, and that is real progress,” she said. “For students and families, these pathways can be the difference between getting by and getting ahead. The next step is making sure more Texans can earn credentials that lead to strong wages, real career options and greater economic mobility.”
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