CMU grad students reflect on CERAWeek 2026

With support from the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, three exceptional Carnegie Mellon graduate students traveled to CERAWeek 2026, the renowned energy conference that convenes thousands of thought leaders from across industry, technology, public policy, and academia in Houston, Texas. 

Bashu Aman, Savannah Talledo, and Ashwini Karanth — who study the distinct disciplines of engineering, chemistry, and business — all share an interest in energy and entrepreneurship, participating in the conference’s NextGen program, which fosters connection and collaboration between industry and academia to develop future energy leaders. 

Bashu Aman 

Mechanical engineering PhD student Bashu Aman described the uniqueness and change of pace that came with attending CERAWeek. 

“As a PhD student, I typically attend academic conferences, but this was an industry-focused event where I engaged with leaders across the energy sector and learned about real-world developments within their organizations,” Aman said. 

Aman is also a budding entrepreneur through the early development of Wavon Ceramics. Attending CERAWeek, he noted, expanded his outlook on the variety of applications of energy concepts in areas like materials and fuels. 

Ashwini Karanth 

“CERAWeek was unlike any other conference I’ve experienced before,” said Ashwini Karanth, an MBA candidate in the Tepper School of Business. “Being in a room full of people who are genuinely passionate about energy, from multinational executives to startup founders to academics, reminded me of why this work matters.” 

Karanth is interested in entrepreneurship as the founder of Juicy EV, an early-stage company that specializes in autonomous charger infrastructure. She noted the particular value of learning about programs and resources offered by Aramco and Greentown Labs during the conference. In addition, the value of in-person networking could not be ignored. 

“Some of the most honest conversations I had happened standing in line for coffee with other founders,” said Karanth. 

Savannah Talledo 

Doctoral student Savannah Talledo, who studies chemistry, presented her own work on developing a hydrogen-sensing technology during a student poster session as part of the NextGen program. 

“Attending CERAWeek as part of the NextGen cohort broadened my perspective on the energy transition beyond the fundamental, lab‑scale work I do as a PhD student in chemistry,” said Talledo. “The conference highlighted how policy, technoeconomic feasibility, and deployment challenges shape which technologies ultimately matter — factors I rarely confront in the day to day. It pushed me to think more intentionally about how my future research could contribute to impact at scale.”