CEAT graduate student earns award for research success

Vishesh Bhadariya (center) is a graduate student in the School of Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. He was honored with the Best Paper Award during the 2025 American Rock Mechanics Association's U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. 59th American Rock Mechanics Association U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium in June 2025.

CEAT graduate student earns award for research success

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Media Contact: Tanner Holubar | Communications Specialist | 405-744-2065 | [email protected]

Students in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology are well established in the world of research. From making innovative discoveries to developing technical expertise across a range of fields, CEAT students stand out among peers from other universities.

One such example is the expertise Vishesh Bhadariya demonstrated at the 59th American Rock Mechanics Association U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium in June 2025.

Bhadariya is a graduate research assistant in the School of Chemical Engineering. He showcased the CEAT standard of expertise by presenting multiple papers to geomechanics and energy industry experts.

"Presenting different research themes helped me see how image-based deformation analysis, something I use extensively in my research work, applies across materials and rocks," Bhadariya said. "Overall, ARMA provided a great platform to discuss ideas, receive feedback, and connect my research directions more broadly."

At the symposium, Bhadariya presented two papers he authored and participated as a co-author in a third, demonstrating his active involvement in research.

• Analysis of Near-Tip Strain Field of the Propagating Fracture Through a Mechanically Layered System. (Authors: Vishesh Bhadariya and Hunjoo P. Lee)

• Sustainable Solution for Oil Well Cementing: Investigating Fiberglass as a Strength-Enhancing Additive. (Authors: Vishesh Bhadariya*, Dionne Mayibeki, Shaolin J. Eidee, Christan Akhilome, Paschalyn E. Nyavor and Geir Hareland).

• Advanced Cement Formulations for Oilfield Applications: Enhancing Fluid Loss Control and Rheological Properties with Recycled Milled Fiberglass Sustainable Cementing. (Authors: Shaolin Jahan Eidee, Christian Akhilome, Vishesh Bhadariya, Dionne Mayibeki, Paschalyn Nyavor and Geir Hareland).

His paper on a sustainable solution for oil well cementing earned him the Best Poster Award in the Petroleum Conventional category. Specifically, he investigated the use of recycled milled fiberglass as a strengthening additive for oil-well cement. To assess this, his team evaluated the mechanical behavior of fiberglass-reinforced cement, using image correlation to track strain fields, microcrack initiation, and crack propagation.

"The work highlights a sustainable way to enhance wellbore integrity while giving new purpose to waste fiberglass materials," Bhadariya said.

He was awarded fourth place in ARMA's Student Research Competition for his investigation of near-tip strain fields during fracture propagation as fracture encounter rock layers, and how these interactions influence fracture growth behavior.

These are areas where Bhadariya would like to be involved after completing his education. He is interested in reservoir geomechanics, rock mechanics, hydraulic fracturing, and enhanced geothermal system and advanced diagnostic methods that improve design and operational efficiency. He aims to help with complex engineering issues in the energy sector.

"Whether it is understanding stress shadowing during hydraulic fracturing or enhancing wellbore integrity using sustainable cement materials, the unifying thread is using experimental mechanics and imaging tools like image correlation to solve real problems in the energy industry," he said.

Bhadariya's research success is just one example of how CEAT students are at the forefront of making new discoveries that influence the design, safety and efficiency of crucial sectors.