Gov. Abbott Announces New Governor’s University Research Initiative Award

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott and The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) today announced that Surendra Shah, Ph.D., has joined the Departments of Material Science and Engineering and Civil Engineering at UTA through the Governor’s University Research Program (GURI).

The matching GURI award of $1,965,000 will aid Dr. Shah’s research on nano-material impact on the performance and infrastructure of cements, and also fund the construction of the new UTA Center for Advanced Construction and Innovative Materials for Infrastructure.

This new facility is expected to attract significant external funding as well as develop agreements with companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond that are engaged in construction materials to spur economic development. Aside from his research, Dr. Shah will teach courses related to construction and advanced materials.

“I am honored to welcome Dr. Shah to Texas, and I look forward to the opportunities that the new Center for Advanced Construction and Innovative Materials for Infrastructure will bring to UTA,” said Governor Abbott. “Both UTA and the entire state of Texas will benefit greatly from Dr. Shah’s research. Dr. Shah’s presence in Texas will have a profound impact on the fields of engineering and construction and keep Texas at the top for cutting-edge research, economic development, and innovation.”

Dr. Surendra Shah received his B.E. from B.V.M. College in India, his M.S. from Lehigh University, and Ph.D. from Cornell University.

He has over 500 published papers with 57 in the last five years, edited more than 20 books, has four patents, and received numerous awards including election to the National Academy of Engineering (2006).

Dr. Shah is also known for his leadership of the NSF Center for Advanced Cement Based Materials (ACBM). Dr. Shah’s research primarily focuses on understanding the basic chemistry and microstructure of cementitious materials, the applied aspects of their physical properties, and the applications for these materials.

Founded in 2015, GURI assists Texas public universities in recruiting the best and brightest researchers from around the world to the Lone Star State.

Read more about the Governor’s University Research Initiaitive.