THE SHELL - PVAMU RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP FOR A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE

Nature Based Solutions

The year 2022 marked the start of a substantial new collaboration between the energy sector and higher education as Prairie View A&M University and Shell Global Solutions signed a $5 million partnership on a new soil research project.

The PVAMU-Shell Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Research Program is a $5 million research program that is part of Shell’s technology innovation and funded through the company’s Projects & Technology organization. The five-year research agreement focuses on innovation and agriculture. The project will be headquartered in PVAMU’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences.

“To build an energy future that is cleaner, more sustainable, and more just, it will take hard work as well as insights from diverse perspectives – and we see communities like Prairie View as essential to the success of that formula,” shared Gretchen Watkins, president of Shell Oil Company. “The Shell-PVAMU NBS is going to be the world’s or one of the world’s preeminent soil research projects when we get this underway.”

The Shell-PVAMU NBS partnership is aimed at effective carbon dioxide utilization and carbon capture by employing innovative renewable energy and environmental sustainability methods.

“The opportunity to be able to join forces and to take action that acknowledges the progress we’re making — in terms of giving opportunities to our students, couldn’t be better in my estimation,” said Ruth J. Simmons, president of PVAMU. “Its comprehensive approachinvolving infrastructure, research collaboration, internships, and ongoing staff involvement-is especially welcome. I’m grateful for President Gretchen Watkins’ personal interest in and commitment to this collaboration.” “This agreement marks a significant landmark in our relationship, paving pathways for Prairie View faculty and students to involve in interdisciplinary research and innovation activities with Shell research and development team solving global challenges,” said Magesh Rajan, vice president, Research & Innovation.

“This is the 1st partnership for PVAMU under our elevated Carnegie Classification as Research 2 institution, as a doctoral-degree granting/high-research campus.”