Dr. Debjyoti Banerjee , professor in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been selected to receive the 2026 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Heat Transfer Memorial Award, one of the highest honors presented by the ASME Heat Transfer Division.
The award recognizes Banerjee’s contributions to heat transfer research and his success in translating scientific discoveries into practical technologies, including 17 U.S. patents and two startup companies.
“Learning that I had been selected for this award was both exciting and humbling,” Banerjee said. “It provided a sense of validation for decades of work in industry, national laboratories and academia, and reaffirmed the decision I made to pursue a career in higher education and research.”
Since joining Texas A&M in 2005, Banerjee has led research aimed at improving the way energy is stored, transferred and used. His work has helped advance technologies with applications in power generation, water treatment, electronics cooling and aerospace systems.
Recent projects have focused on improving thermal energy storage, advancing desalination technologies and using artificial intelligence to optimize energy systems. Together, these efforts aim to improve energy efficiency, expand access to clean water and support emerging energy technologies.
Over the past two decades, Banerjee helped secure more than $30 million in research funding and built a research program that bridges fundamental science with real-world applications. His work has resulted in numerous patented technologies and the launch of startup companies designed to bring university innovations to industry.
Beyond his research accomplishments, Banerjee has mentored 23 doctoral students, 28 master’s students and more than 50 undergraduate researchers during his time at Texas A&M.
“This award reflects the dedication, creativity and resilience of the students, postdoctoral researchers and collaborators who have been part of our research group over the years,” Banerjee said. “Their hard work and innovative spirit have been essential to everything we have accomplished.”
Banerjee said the recognition is a testament to the dedication and creativity of the students, postdoctoral researchers and collaborators who have contributed to his research program throughout the years.
Looking back on his career at Texas A&M, Banerjee said mentoring students remains one of his proudest accomplishments.
“The opportunity to help develop the next generation of engineers and researchers has been incredibly rewarding,” he said. “Their success is the legacy I am most proud of.”
The award will be formally presented at the 2026 ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference in Bellevue, Washington.
By Maddi Busby, J. Mike Walker ’66 Departrment of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University
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