The University of Wyoming (UW) is the recipient of a $1-million grant to establish the Richard and Marilyn Lynch Multidisciplinary Advanced Stimulation Laboratory in the University of Wyoming’s Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering.
“We believe the future of energy depends on innovation grounded in strong science and education,” said UW alumnus Richard Lynch, SPE. “By supporting this laboratory at the University of Wyoming, we hope to empower students and faculty to develop practical solutions that strengthen the energy industry while preparing the next generation of leaders.”
The new laboratory, located in the Science Initiative Building, will function as a multidisciplinary research hub combining geomechanics, fluid dynamics, advanced reservoir characterization, and artificial intelligence.
Established through a partnership between UW’s School of Energy Resources and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, the lab aims to tackle key industry challenges in unconventional reservoirs.
An SPE member since 1978, Lynch earned his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from UW. Throughout his career he worked for ARCO, BP, and Hess. He retired from Hess, where he served as senior vice president of technology and services.
“This gift allows us to strategically support our students while strengthening the experimental and technological backbone of the laboratory,” said Soheil Saraji, an associate professor and head of the Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering. “It gives us the agility to stay at the forefront of subsurface energy research while training engineers who are ready to lead.”