PhD Candidate, Barrier Materials and Geomimicry lab, School of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, United States .
Loic Bethel Dje is a dynamic and driven Petroleum Engineer currently pursuing his Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University. As a Graduate Research Assistant in the Barriers and Geomimicry Lab, his focus lies at the intersection of geoscience, environmental engineering, and sustainable energy systems. With a unique interdisciplinary background in geology, oil and gas technology, and reservoir engineering, Loic combines technical depth with global insight. He is known for his passion for carbon capture, sustainable development, and cross-cultural collaboration. 🌍⚙️
Professional Profile
Orcid
Education🎓
Loic holds a Ph.D. (in progress) in Petroleum Engineering from Oklahoma State University, where he began in 2023. He earned his M.Sc. in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Near East University, Cyprus (2019), producing a thesis on probabilistic modeling of steam-assisted gravity drainage. He also holds an Associate Degree in Oil and Gas Technology from Gulf Field Higher Institute of Petroleum, Cameroon (2017), and a B.Sc. in Earth Sciences (Geology) from the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon (2015). His academic journey reflects a consistent dedication to excellence and innovation in subsurface energy systems. 🎓🛢️
Experience 💼
At Oklahoma State University’s School of Chemical Engineering, Loic is immersed in DOE-funded research focused on shale geochemistry, rock-fluid interactions, and carbon sequestration in hydraulically fractured formations. He utilizes advanced analytical tools including SEM-EDS, XRD, ICP-OES, and RAMAN spectroscopy. He’s also contributed to student training and field experimentation. Previously, he worked across academia and industry in Cyprus, Cameroon, and the UK, as a lecturer, translator, and research collaborator. His work spans teaching, field studies, multilingual communication, and applied geoscience. 🔬🌡️
Research Interests🔍
Loic’s research focuses on reservoir geochemistry, unconventional shale systems, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and environmental risk assessment of hydraulic fracturing. He is passionate about the repurposing of oil wells for low-carbon solutions and advocates for interdisciplinary sustainability in petroleum engineering. His studies aim to understand how subsurface mineralogy and fluid chemistry interact under real-world conditions to support global decarbonization. 🌱🧪🌍
Awards🏆
Loic is the 1st Place Poster Winner at the 2025 TechFest at OSU, and 2nd Place Winner in the Ph.D. Division at the SPE Paper Contest (2025). He received an Honoris Causa Doctorate in Community Development and Diplomacy (2020) and multiple leadership awards, including recognition from the Hargis Leadership Institute and SoTL ITLE at Oklahoma State. As a mentor, translator, and youth leader, he’s made lasting contributions to student empowerment and international collaboration. 🏆🎖️
Top Noted Publications📄
Reactivity of Shale to Supercritical CO₂: Insights from SEM-EDS and Mineral Phase Evolution in Caney Shales for CCUS Applications (Under review), Applied Geochemistry, 2025.
Comparative Laboratory Study of the Geochemical Reactivity of the Marcellus Shale – Water, 15(10), 1940. (2023). Cited by: 5+ articles.
Environmental Assessment of Criteria Pollutants in the Atmosphere of Northern Cyprus – Int. J. of Environmental Pollution and Modelling, 2(2), 80–89. (2019). Cited by: 10+ articles.