Tennessee Tech alumnus honored with prestigious DeGolyer Distinguished Service Medal
Tennessee Tech University alumnus Phaneendra Babu Kondapi, Ph.D., center, accepts
the DeGolyer Distinguished Service Medal from Terry Palisch, left, Society of Petroleum
Engineers president, and Shauna Noonan, American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical
and Petroleum Engineers president-elect.
Tennessee Tech University alumnus Phaneendra Babu Kondapi, Ph.D., recently received
the DeGolyer Distinguished Service Medal from the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
at the organization’s 100th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in New
Orleans.
The medal, named after renowned petroleum geologist Everette Lee DeGolyer, is given
by The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME)
to SPE members who demonstrate distinguished service to the society, the professions
of engineering or geology, and the petroleum industry. Founded in 1957, SPE is one
of the world’s largest engineering societies, with more than 127,000 members in 145
countries. AIME is the second oldest national engineering society, established in
1871.
“It was surprising news, but I felt deeply honored and humbled to receive this recognition,”
Kondapi said. “It's both a reflection of the service to the petroleum industry and
SPE over the last 20 years and also an encouragement for me to do more to the industry
for the next 20 years. It is truly a humbling experience.”
Kondapi earned his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Tennessee Tech in 2000, where
he was also named an Engineer of Distinction in 2020 by the College of Engineering.
He is now an affiliate professor at the Colorado School of Mines and president of
Jaajitech Digital, a company providing digital solutions for the manufacturing and
process industries.
“My tenure at Tennessee Tech really helped me to adapt to the new culture and new
education system, and of course prepared me for the real world,” he said. “Other than
my classes and thesis work, I got plenty of opportunities to interact and learn through
various activities like Tennessee Academic of Sciences, AIChE student chapter, SGA,
Graduate School Executive Committee and Indian Association.”
“Special thanks to all my professors who encouraged and supported me throughout my
time at Tech,” he added, “especially Dr. J.R. Booth, Dr. David Yarbrough, Dr. Joe
Biernacki, Dr. Sastry Munukutla, Dr. Brian O’Connor, Dr. Clayton Kerr, Dr. John McGee,
Dr. Denis Holland, and Dr. Krishna Kumar to name a few.”
With over two decades in academia and industry, Kondapi has held influential positions
at the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, and major energy companies. As
a professor and director of subsea engineering at University of Houston, he initiated
the first subsea engineering program in the United States. His work also included
establishing the Center for Engineering Excellence at the University of Houston’s
Katy campus, where he served as founding director and assistant dean.
“I love to educate and mentor the next generation of students,” he said.
A distinguished member of SPE and dedicated volunteer, Kondapi has contributed to
SPE as well as other industry groups such as the Offshore Technology Conference, AIChE,
and ASME. This October he was also elected the chair of the new Hydrogen Technical
Section of Society of Petroleum Engineers International, where he will lead efforts
to bring together professionals and academics interested in hydrogen as an energy
carrier and potential new energy source. The section aims to share knowledge, promote
industry awareness, and enhance technical competencies in all aspects of the hydrogen
supply chain.
For current engineering students who aspire to make significant contributions to their
field, Kondapi offered the following advice: “Focus on your goals but don't run after
money,” he said. “Hard work and realistic goals take you a long way. Connect the dots.”