Houston Daily

For the first time, the Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST) has appointed a University of Houston professor as its president. Professor Ganesh Thakur, from the Cullen College of Engineering's petroleum engineering department, took on this leadership role in February. He aims to enhance the visibility of UH's programs.

"I want to give the University of Houston – my colleagues, our professors – more exposure. I want to create an opportunity for them to be more visible," said Thakur. "This is where the best professors from UH, the best from the University of Texas at Austin, the best from Texas A&M University and the best from around the state get to collaborate."

TAMEST is a leading educational organization in Texas with 350 national academy members and eight Nobel laureates among its ranks. The organization focuses on solving societal problems through collaboration in fields like engineering, science, and medicine.

"Our professors get to see what our colleagues are doing in other universities," Thakur added. "It really creates a positive motivation and inspiration for our professors."

As president, Thakur will manage TAMEST's daily operations and organize its annual conference that gathers researchers nationwide to discuss specific topics. The upcoming conference will take place in San Antonio in February 2026 with a focus on climate change.

"I was a champion of this topic," Thakur stated. "It’s important for people working in these fields to know what kind of impact climate issues have on our society and our people."

Thakur's presidency will conclude in 2027. During his term, he aims to highlight Texas—and particularly Houston—as a hub for leading scientists.

"Ganesh’s role at TAMEST will give UH’s scientists and professors the exposure they deserve," said Pradeep Sharma, dean at Cullen College of Engineering. "Our faculty rank among the best in the world, and together the members of TAMEST will achieve great things."