The University of Tulsa (UTulsa) is proud to announce the promotion of three esteemed College and Engineering and Computer Science faculty members: Mauricio Papa, Eduardo Pereyra and Javen Weston. These promotions reflect their exceptional contributions to the university and their dedication to advancing its mission of academic excellence. Mauricio Papa, Ph.D., celebrated for his expertise in computer science; Eduardo Pereyra, Ph.D., renowned for his groundbreaking research in fluid flow; and Javen Weston, Ph.D., recognized for his innovative approaches in chemical engineering, each brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to their disciplines.
“These promotions are a testament to our faculty’s outstanding talent and dedication,” said Andreas A. Polycarpou, Ph. D., Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “Mauricio Papa, Eduardo Pereyra, and Javen Weston have each demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in their respective fields. Their advancements honor their achievements and signify a bright future for The University of Tulsa. We are excited to see how their continued contributions will propel our institution forward and inspire our students to reach new heights.”
Papa was promoted to full Brock Professorship of Computer Science, specializing in critical infrastructure protection and operational technology security. He has led and participated in numerous funded research efforts to develop cybersecurity solutions for the electric power, transportation, nuclear reactors and oil and gas sectors. Papa’s work includes designing a critical infrastructure protection lab for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and collaborating on multi-institution projects to secure control systems in nuclear research reactors.
Pereyra
, promoted to professor of petroleum engineering at UTulsa’s North Campus, started his career at the R&D center of the Venezuelan oil company PDVSA-Intevep, leading to a role in Multiphase System Integration (MSI) and at Chevron’s Advanced Production Technology Unit as a Research Scientist Intern. His interests are multiphase flow and its application to transportation, flow assurance, artificial lift, multiphase measurements, and separation technologies. He most recently received the International Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Production and Operations Award in 2023.
Weston was promoted to associate professor of chemical engineering and focused his doctoral research on catalytic nanoparticles at oil/water interfaces and the flow behavior of nanoparticle dispersions. After completing his Ph.D., he spent three years as a guest researcher at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) in the Materials Science and Engineering Division, where he developed a high-pressure, high-shear device for measuring the viscosity and structure of complex fluids using small-angle neutron scattering. In 2018, Weston joined the University of Tulsa’sTulsa’s Russell School of Chemical Engineering, where he researches the fundamental physics and chemistry of complex fluids and hydrogels and serves as the faculty point-of-contact for the university’s small-angle X-ray scattering instrument.
UTulsa eagerly anticipates Papa, Pereyra and Weston’s continued contributions. Their innovative research and dedication to excellence promise to drive significant advancements in their respective fields. Their work not only enhances the university’s reputation but also paves the way for future growth and academic breakthroughs, fostering a vibrant and forward-thinking academic community.