Founder and Key Members
Abdoulaye Djire, PhD
Djire is an expert in the synthesis and characterization of MXenes and is considered as one of the pioneers of nitride MXenes (MNenes). Djire has over 40 published research articles in esteemed journals and had numerous invited talks at prestigious institutions and international conferences. At Texas A&M University, Djire serves as the Principal Investigator of the Discovery Journey to Innovative Renewable Energy (DJIRE) Laboratory and Summer Research Program. Djire has received numerous awards and recognitions including the DOD ARO Early Career Award, the DOE ARPA-E SPARKS Award, the DuPont GOLD Award, the College of Engineering Dean Excellence Award, the Outstanding Junior Faculty Award, and the U.S.-Africa Frontiers Fellowship. Djire is a member of the Texas PowerHouse Energy Policy Advisory Council. Prior to joining Texas A&M, Djire held positions as a Staff Scientist and a Postdoctoral Researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the Chemistry and Nanoscience Center. He earned his Ph.D. and Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan and his B.S. degree from Prairie View A&M University.
Eugenie Marie Pranada
Eugenie Marie Pranada, serves as Director of Communications for the Djire Foundation, where she leads efforts to build the foundation’s public presence and advance its mission of supporting the next generation of researchers. In this role, Eugenie oversees the foundation’s website, digital outreach, and communication initiatives, helping connect students with mentorship, research opportunities, and career guidance.
Eugenie earned a BS in Chemical Engineering and is completing her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, with research focused on electrochemical water splitting applications. Coming from an undergraduate institution in the Philippines with limited research exposure, Eugenie understands firsthand how challenging and intimidating the path to research and graduate school can be. This personal journey inspires her commitment to making research more accessible, welcoming, and supportive for aspiring scholars.
With a strong background in mentorship and leadership, including serving as a teaching assistant to more than 500 students and training undergraduate and graduate researchers, Eugenie brings optimism, empathy, and a genuine passion for helping students succeed. She is proud to support the foundation’s mission of empowering students with the guidance, resources, and confidence to pursue their academic and professional dreams.
David Kumar Yesudoss
I completed my Bachelor’s in Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering at CSIR- Central Electrochemical Research Institute, India in 2019. My undergraduate research focused primarily on the performance evolution of cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. After that, I pursued my Master’s in Energy Science and Engineering at DGIST, South Korea. During my stint in the DGIST, I focused on the interfacial tuning of electrodes for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction. Exploring zero-gap electrodes and electrolyzers for the conversion of atmospheric pollutants to value-added products is one of my research interests.
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