Graduate Students

My name is Pedro de Melo Flores, and I am currently a Master's student in the Craft & Hawkins Petroleum Engineering department at Louisiana State University. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. My research focuses on the performance evaluation and simulation of gas lift valves under downhole conditions for the VPC consortium. I have strong experience with experimental tests and data analysis from my previous work with cooling systems. Additionally, I am proficient in programming languages such as Python and MATLAB, and in using CAD tools like SolidWorks.

I am Chibuzor Success Igweonu, currently an MS student in Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU). I hold a B.Eng. degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Delta, Nigeria. My research focuses on geologic hydrogen production, geo-energy storage and recovery techniques, and the innovative use of Bio-Induced Mineral Precipitation (BIMP) to prevent CO₂ and H₂ leakage in underground reservoir rocks. I have strong expertise in machine and deep learning applications, as well as in using reservoir modeling tools such as CMG and MRST. Before joining LSU, I worked as an associate in financial advisory at Deloitte, Lagos, Nigeria, where I helped secure funding for multiple high-profile projects. Prior to that, I spent about three years as a Well Cementing Engineer at Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited in Nigeria, supervising cementing operations and designing well-cementing job programs.

I am Victory Oghale, an MS student in Petroleum Engineering. My research focuses on applying physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) to reservoir simulations, leveraging advanced computational techniques, particularly machine learning and deep learning to advance the field. I have a Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. My  industry experience includes working as a Business Manager at Pinnacle M&B Limited, an oil and gas servicing firm, where I played a key role in procuring and managing contracts. Prior to that, I worked as a Product Manager at Mags Engineering, where I spearheaded the development and deployment of the company's first official website. I am very proficient with reservoir simulators like CMG.

I am a graduate student currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU), working under the supervision of Dr. Gupta. I completed my undergraduate studies at LSU, where I developed a strong foundation in petroleum and subsurface engineering. My current research focuses on geochemical reactions related to underground hydrogen storage (UHS), exploring rock-fluid interactions to enhance the efficiency, safety, and long-term viability of hydrogen as an energy resource.

I am Paulo Eduardo Reitz, an MS student at the Petroleum Engineering Department at LSU. I earned a B. Eng. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. My research focuses on gas lift systems, with special investigation and understanding of gas lift valves (GLV). My thesis focuses on the development of an apparatus capable of tracking stem movement during GLV testing. My research areas of interests are multiphase flows in pipes, instrumentation and control for field operations, and artificial lift systems.

I am Paulo Eduardo Reitz, an MS student at the Petroleum Engineering Department at LSU. I earned a B. Eng. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. My research focuses on gas lift systems, with special investigation and understanding of gas lift valves (GLV). My thesis focuses on the development of an apparatus capable of tracking stem movement during GLV testing. My research areas of interests are multiphase flows in pipes, instrumentation and control for field operations, and artificial lift systems.

I am Temitayo Adeyemi, a second-year Ph.D. student in the MERS research group. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and a Master’s degree from Louisiana State University, both in Petroleum Engineering. Prior to joining the MERS research group, I spent 2 years working on reservoir surveillance and hydrocarbon production optimization using Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensors (DAS, DSS, and DTS). Via Molecular Dynamics Simulation, I currently investigate the underlying physics and chemistry associated with gas hydrates formation and dissociation. I have authored and co-authored multiple publications in journals such as SPE Journal, IJMFL, and SPIE.

My name is Saeed Beheshtian. I have over 14 years of professional experience as a drilling supervisor, where I was responsible for managing well operations, ensuring well control, and optimizing drilling performance. In Fall 2024, I began my Ph.D. studies at Louisiana State University (LSU), working under the supervision of Dr. Yuanhang Chen. My research focuses on modeling wellbore CO₂ injection into depleted gas reservoirs, with particular attention to transient multiphase flow, thermal effects, and phase behavior during injection operations. My goal is to contribute to advancements in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies through improved wellbore design and operational strategies.

I am Richard Budiman, Ph.D.candidate in Petroleum Engineering. My research is in reservoir engineering specializing on geothermal energy - harvesting heat from the earth to meet today's energy demands.  Prior to LSU, I worked as a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer for Surface Wellhead Division at General Electric Company. I designed complete wellhead systems including casing spools, casing and tubing hangers, packoff, cross-over adaptors, installation tools, Christmas tree components and assemblies, gate valves, and actuators. My professional objective is to integrate my expertise in mechanical and reservoir engineering to develop comprehensive energy systems spanning upstream to midstream operations.

I am a petroleum engineering PhD student specializing in mobility control surfactant and foam processes for subsurface remediation, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). I use CMG to model surfactant and foam processes, as well as fractional flow analysis. As a Fulbright Scholar at LSU, I aim to advance sustainable solutions in the energy sector. I have field engineering experience with SLB and Halliburton in wireline services and artificial lift systems, as well as an internship at Chevron developing tools for ESP failure detection. I'm also an active volunteer with SPE, SHPE, and outreach programs teaching STEM to high school students.

My name is Jose Pauyac Estrada. I started my Ph.D. at LSU in Fall 2024, focusing on coupled wellbore-reservoir transient modeling to optimize CO2 sequestration strategies. I also apply physics-informed machine learning to solve complex, nonlinear equations. My B.Sc.is  in Petroleum Engineering from Gubkin University in 2020 and my M.Sc. from Montanuniversitaet Leoben in 2023. Before LSU, I worked as a subsurface engineering intern at Wintershall Dea in Germany, using T2WELL for modeling, and as a research assistant at KAUST in Saudi Arabia, optimizing CO2 solubility trapping with CMG-GEM. I’m fluent in Spanish, English, and Russian, and basic conversational German. I’m passionate about sustainable energy transitions and tackling carbon-management challenges.

I, Hazem Riad Fleifel, of Arabic ethnicity, was born and raised in Damascus, Syria. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology/Geophysics from Damascus University in 2013.  I completed my M.S. in Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University in 2020 under the supervision of Dr. Seung Kam, focusing on transient multiphase flow in porous media, reservoir characterization, and interfacial tension reduction during EOR.  I am currently working towards my PhD and Professional Engineer (PE) license.  My doctoral research focuses on dynamic multiphase flow in offshore and deep wells, using mechanistic modeling and experiments to enhance gas displacement during bullheading and optimize Liquid Assisted Gas Lift (LAGL) operations.

I am a PhD student at the Craft and Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering, LSU. I hold a master’s degree in Petroleum and Gas Engineering from China University of Petroleum, Beijing, where my research addressed flow assurance problems in subsea riser-pipeline systems. My PhD research focuses on direct pore-scale modeling of dual porosity/permeability systems, utilizing image-based modeling techniques, unstructured tetrahedral meshing, FEM-based flow simulations, and stochastic particle tracking for solute transport. Beyond my technical contributions, I have held leadership roles, having served as the Youth Representative for the China-Africa Youth Federation and currently the Alumni Representative at CUPB.  As an SPE member with research experience across three continents and fluency in five languages, I bring a global perspective to advancing innovation in the energy sector as a woman in STEM.

I’m Felipe Simoes Maciel, a Ph.D. student in the Petroleum Engineering Department at LSU, with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from UFES in Brazil, and an M.S. in Petroleum Engineering from LSU. My research focuses on experimental and modeling studies of CO₂ flow through control valves under near-critical and supercritical conditions. I have extensive experience with flow control device testing and modeling—especially gas lift valves—and serve on the API 19G2 committee reviewing testing standards. Before starting my Ph.D., I worked for two years as a Research Associate at LSU, contributing to early kick detection using sonic LWD signals and to the VPC project, which evaluates valve performance under realistic flow and pressure conditions. I also have prior CFD experience in wind field simulation, scaling deposition, and cuttings transport optimization.

I am Shahriar Mahmud, a PhD candidate in Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University. My research focuses on gas–liquid two-phase flow experiments and simulations for well control, coupled transient hydrodynamics and heat transfer simulations in geothermal wellbores, and CO₂ injection modeling for CCUS applications. I hold a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and a Master’s in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Stavanger. I have over five years of industry experience  in onshore and offshore drilling, and I also served for more than three years as a faculty member in the Petroleum and Mineral Resources Engineering Department at BUET.

I am a Ph.D. student in Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University, specializing in advanced CO₂ sequestration techniques. My research integrates generative deep learning and 4D seismic imaging to improve the monitoring, safety, and reliability of CO₂ storage sites. As an OLGA and PIPESIM modeler, I design and simulate CO₂ injection wells and surface flow loops. I’ve completed advanced coursework in mathematics and machine learning through MIT’s online platform to support my interdisciplinary work. Before my Ph.D., I gained over 12 years of experience as a reservoir engineer in offshore gas-condensate fields, with expertise in reservoir simulation, well testing, multiphase flow modeling, PVT analysis, and EoS characterization. I’ve led projects on production optimization, offshore network modeling, and flow assurance, contributing to multiple technical publications.

Djuidje Michelle, I am pursuing a PhD in Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University under the guidance of Dr. Karsten Thompson. Holding both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in petroleum engineering, I conduct groundbreaking research on microplastic filtration for environmental remediation and underground hydrogen storage as part of the global energy transition. With three years of practical experience in well completions for unconsolidated sandstone formations in the Gulf of Guinea, I effectively bridge field operations with subsurface research to solve critical industry challenges. I actively contribute to SPE, AADE, and SWE in leadership capacities. I am fluent in four international languages - English, French, Mandarin and German!

I’m Zain Ul Abidin, a Graduate Assistant at Louisiana State University, conducting research on underground hydrogen storage. I hold a Master’s degree from the University of Calgary, Canada, focused on energy and subsurface studies, and a B.Sc. from BUITEMS in Quetta, Pakistan. My research evaluates subsurface formations for their feasibility and integrity in large-scale hydrogen storage, supporting the transition to sustainable, low-carbon energy systems. With an international academic background and a focus on applied geoscience, I aim to advance safe and efficient hydrogen storage through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. 

My name is Fatima Yisa, and my interests are in petrophysics and reservoir engingeering. My research involves investigation of gas enhanced oil recovery in shale reservoirs, specifically, Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS). My research involves both experimental investigations and numerically simulation with the ultimate goals of determining the viability of gas EOR in TMS and highlighting the sweet spots in the shale play.

My name is Mohammad Zamehrian. I hold a Master's degree in Petroleum Reservoir Engineering from the University of Tehran and am currently a PhD student in the Craft and Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering at LSU.

My research focuses on the numerical simulation of Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) within aquifers and depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, with the goal of identifying optimum and reliable UHS conditions. I have expertise in static and dynamic reservoir simulation and am proficient in using reservoir modeling tools such as CMG, Eclipse, TOUGH, and Petrel.