Students/Education

SMU Alumnus and Rock Flow Dynamics’ Co-Founder Donates Software to University

The software will enhance education and research across energy, geothermal, mining, and geotechnical engineering by giving students and faculty hands-on access to industry-standard tools used worldwide.

Screenshot 2025-12-16 at 10-06-53 SMU World Changers Shaped Here.png
Shelkov holds a PhD in high-energy physics from SMU and co-founded Rock Flow Dynamics in 2005.
Source: Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University (SMU)’s Lyle School of Engineering received a significant in-kind gift of Rock Flow Dynamics’ advanced subsurface modeling and simulation software from SMU alumnus and Rock Flow Dynamics CEO and founder Vasilii Shelkov.

The software will significantly enhance education and research across energy, geothermal, mining, and geotechnical engineering by giving students and faculty hands-on access to industry-standard tools used worldwide.

The software will be managed by SMU’s Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity. The university announcing it plans to hold sponsored workshops in 2026.

“Students and researchers will now have access to one of the most advanced simulation platforms available, empowering them to contribute solutions to challenges across both traditional and renewable energy, geothermal systems, and geotechnical engineering,” said Saeed Salehi, Herman Brown Endowed Chair of Engineering and interim executive director of the Hunt Institute.

In May, Rock Flow Dynamics donated its tNavigator software to West Virginia University. The donation was valued at $26.8 million.

Learn more about the donation to SMU here.