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.
