Committees
The Society of Petroleum Engineers Aberdeen Section
Student Development Committee
The Student Development Committee (SDC) engages with all university student activities at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and it is our mission to encourage all these students to pursue and develop a successful career in the energy sector.
SDC is formed by industry members, officers of the SPE Student Chapters and academic sponsors from the following four universities registered under SPE Aberdeen Section;
- University of Aberdeen www.abdn.ac.uk
- Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen www.rgu.ac.uk
- Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh www.hw.ac.uk
- University of Dundee www.dundee.ac.uk
Our core values and activities include:
- To collect, disseminate, and exchange technical knowledge
- To provide opportunities for students to enhance their competence
- Encourage and aid the formation of SPE Student Chapters and to further liaise with industry to provide support to the universities and their Chapter.
- SPE Aberdeen Section has long encouraged high standards of academic achievement among petroleum engineers and we annually provide bursaries to students studying petroleum engineering-related subjects.
- We also support attendance at technical events, assist students obtain internships, organise company tours and technical speakers.
Our 2025 Student Bursary Award winners have just been announced! Keep an eye on our social media channels for the announcement that SPE Aberdeen Section will be inviting applications for their student bursary awards that will be awarded early in 2026.
If you are a member of one of our four student chapter universities: Aberdeen, RGU, Heriot Watt and Dundee, then you are eligible to apply.
For all enquires email aberdeen.admin@spe-uk.org
Committee Members
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Grace Uyanwanne
Co Chair - Student Development Committee
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Grace Uyanwanne
Co Chair - Student Development Committee
Grace Uyanwanne is a recent MSc Drilling and Well Engineering graduate from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. She has gained experience through roles with ABL Group and Halliburton, where she supported asset integrity projects, wireline operations, pipeline services, and carbon capture studies. Grace has also led as President of the SPE Aberdeen RGU Student Chapter.
In her current roles with SPE, she supports early-career engagement as Co-Chair of the Student Development Committee and is leading the Early Careers Professionals session at the CO₂ Storage Conference. Passionate about energy transition and carbon storage, she is building a career at the intersection of engineering, integrity management, and sustainable energy solutions.
Close
James Paterson
Co Vice Chair Student Development Committee
James is a Senior Well Intervention Engineer with bp, where he has worked in a variety of Wells Engineering roles over the last 12 years. He has worked across bp’s entire North Sea portfolio and currently leads a team delivering Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation and coiled tubing operations on Clair and Clair Ridge.
His career over 18 years has spanned across supermajor and independent operators in the UKCS with experience across the wells lifecycle, from exploration and appraisal drilling, completions, well intervention and well abandonment experience – in both onshore and offshore roles including in safety critical roles.
James holds a MEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Aberdeen and is a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Prior to becoming Co-Vice Chair of the Student Development Committee SPE, James has sat on the committee for several years supporting the Student Bursary Awards as a judge.
In addition to his work with SPE, James is a dedicated mentor, volunteer, and STEM advocate. He has served as a STEM Ambassador, supported events such as TechFest, helped engineers progress towards Chartership, acted as a Professional Review Interviewer with IMechE, and provided mentoring and careers guidance with Career Ready and as a Career Mentor at the University of Aberdeen.
Close
Tati Lezama
Co Vice Chair Student Development Committee
Tatiana Lezama is a Technical Authority for Organic Oil Recovery (OOR) at Hunting PLC based in Aberdeen, UK. In her current role, she supports OOR projects globally, working with operators and multidisciplinary teams to optimize production performance and implement innovative recovery technologies. Her work involves providing technical guidance, supporting operations, and helping customers evaluate and apply OOR solutions across a range of field environments globally.
Tatiana's career spans both Mexico and the United Kingdom, with experience across service companies, operating companies, research, and technology development. She began her career with Halliburton in Mexico, where she worked as a Reservoir Logging Analyst supporting offshore exploration and production activities through production logging and pressure transient analysis. She later joined PEMEX Exploration and Production as a Production Engineer in the Delta del Grijalva asset, where she was involved in production surveillance, well performance analysis, forecasting, and the planning of well interventions. These roles provided valuable experience in field operations and reservoir performance management.
After moving to the United Kingdom, Tatiana completed both an MSc and a PhD in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Aberdeen. Her doctoral research focused on improving oil-water separation in environmentally friendly surfactant systems, with an emphasis on reducing chemical consumption and improving process efficiency through the use of magnetic nanoparticles. She has contributed to several technical publications and SPE papers in the areas of emulsion treatment, production optimization, and enhanced oil recovery.
Prior to her current position, she worked as a Project Engineer within Hunting's OOR business, supporting projects and offshore operations across the Western Hemisphere.
As Co Vice-Chair of the SPE Student Development Committee, Tatiana is passionate about supporting students and early-career professionals as they transition into the energy industry. She enjoys contributing to initiatives that encourage professional growth, networking, mentorship, and engagement between academia and industry. Drawing on her international experience in both Mexico and the UK, she is committed to helping students develop the skills and confidence needed for successful careers in the evolving energy sector.
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James Paterson
Co Vice Chair Student Development Committee
Close
Grace Uyanwanne
Co Chair - Student Development Committee
Grace Uyanwanne is a recent MSc Drilling and Well Engineering graduate from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. She has gained experience through roles with ABL Group and Halliburton, where she supported asset integrity projects, wireline operations, pipeline services, and carbon capture studies. Grace has also led as President of the SPE Aberdeen RGU Student Chapter.
In her current roles with SPE, she supports early-career engagement as Co-Chair of the Student Development Committee and is leading the Early Careers Professionals session at the CO₂ Storage Conference. Passionate about energy transition and carbon storage, she is building a career at the intersection of engineering, integrity management, and sustainable energy solutions.
Close
James Paterson
Co Vice Chair Student Development Committee
James is a Senior Well Intervention Engineer with bp, where he has worked in a variety of Wells Engineering roles over the last 12 years. He has worked across bp’s entire North Sea portfolio and currently leads a team delivering Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation and coiled tubing operations on Clair and Clair Ridge.
His career over 18 years has spanned across supermajor and independent operators in the UKCS with experience across the wells lifecycle, from exploration and appraisal drilling, completions, well intervention and well abandonment experience – in both onshore and offshore roles including in safety critical roles.
James holds a MEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Aberdeen and is a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Prior to becoming Co-Vice Chair of the Student Development Committee SPE, James has sat on the committee for several years supporting the Student Bursary Awards as a judge.
In addition to his work with SPE, James is a dedicated mentor, volunteer, and STEM advocate. He has served as a STEM Ambassador, supported events such as TechFest, helped engineers progress towards Chartership, acted as a Professional Review Interviewer with IMechE, and provided mentoring and careers guidance with Career Ready and as a Career Mentor at the University of Aberdeen.
Close
Tati Lezama
Co Vice Chair Student Development Committee
Tatiana Lezama is a Technical Authority for Organic Oil Recovery (OOR) at Hunting PLC based in Aberdeen, UK. In her current role, she supports OOR projects globally, working with operators and multidisciplinary teams to optimize production performance and implement innovative recovery technologies. Her work involves providing technical guidance, supporting operations, and helping customers evaluate and apply OOR solutions across a range of field environments globally.
Tatiana's career spans both Mexico and the United Kingdom, with experience across service companies, operating companies, research, and technology development. She began her career with Halliburton in Mexico, where she worked as a Reservoir Logging Analyst supporting offshore exploration and production activities through production logging and pressure transient analysis. She later joined PEMEX Exploration and Production as a Production Engineer in the Delta del Grijalva asset, where she was involved in production surveillance, well performance analysis, forecasting, and the planning of well interventions. These roles provided valuable experience in field operations and reservoir performance management.
After moving to the United Kingdom, Tatiana completed both an MSc and a PhD in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Aberdeen. Her doctoral research focused on improving oil-water separation in environmentally friendly surfactant systems, with an emphasis on reducing chemical consumption and improving process efficiency through the use of magnetic nanoparticles. She has contributed to several technical publications and SPE papers in the areas of emulsion treatment, production optimization, and enhanced oil recovery.
Prior to her current position, she worked as a Project Engineer within Hunting's OOR business, supporting projects and offshore operations across the Western Hemisphere.
As Co Vice-Chair of the SPE Student Development Committee, Tatiana is passionate about supporting students and early-career professionals as they transition into the energy industry. She enjoys contributing to initiatives that encourage professional growth, networking, mentorship, and engagement between academia and industry. Drawing on her international experience in both Mexico and the UK, she is committed to helping students develop the skills and confidence needed for successful careers in the evolving energy sector.
+
Tati Lezama
Co Vice Chair Student Development Committee
Close
Grace Uyanwanne
Co Chair - Student Development Committee
Grace Uyanwanne is a recent MSc Drilling and Well Engineering graduate from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. She has gained experience through roles with ABL Group and Halliburton, where she supported asset integrity projects, wireline operations, pipeline services, and carbon capture studies. Grace has also led as President of the SPE Aberdeen RGU Student Chapter.
In her current roles with SPE, she supports early-career engagement as Co-Chair of the Student Development Committee and is leading the Early Careers Professionals session at the CO₂ Storage Conference. Passionate about energy transition and carbon storage, she is building a career at the intersection of engineering, integrity management, and sustainable energy solutions.
Close
James Paterson
Co Vice Chair Student Development Committee
James is a Senior Well Intervention Engineer with bp, where he has worked in a variety of Wells Engineering roles over the last 12 years. He has worked across bp’s entire North Sea portfolio and currently leads a team delivering Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation and coiled tubing operations on Clair and Clair Ridge.
His career over 18 years has spanned across supermajor and independent operators in the UKCS with experience across the wells lifecycle, from exploration and appraisal drilling, completions, well intervention and well abandonment experience – in both onshore and offshore roles including in safety critical roles.
James holds a MEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Aberdeen and is a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Prior to becoming Co-Vice Chair of the Student Development Committee SPE, James has sat on the committee for several years supporting the Student Bursary Awards as a judge.
In addition to his work with SPE, James is a dedicated mentor, volunteer, and STEM advocate. He has served as a STEM Ambassador, supported events such as TechFest, helped engineers progress towards Chartership, acted as a Professional Review Interviewer with IMechE, and provided mentoring and careers guidance with Career Ready and as a Career Mentor at the University of Aberdeen.
Close
Tati Lezama
Co Vice Chair Student Development Committee
Tatiana Lezama is a Technical Authority for Organic Oil Recovery (OOR) at Hunting PLC based in Aberdeen, UK. In her current role, she supports OOR projects globally, working with operators and multidisciplinary teams to optimize production performance and implement innovative recovery technologies. Her work involves providing technical guidance, supporting operations, and helping customers evaluate and apply OOR solutions across a range of field environments globally.
Tatiana's career spans both Mexico and the United Kingdom, with experience across service companies, operating companies, research, and technology development. She began her career with Halliburton in Mexico, where she worked as a Reservoir Logging Analyst supporting offshore exploration and production activities through production logging and pressure transient analysis. She later joined PEMEX Exploration and Production as a Production Engineer in the Delta del Grijalva asset, where she was involved in production surveillance, well performance analysis, forecasting, and the planning of well interventions. These roles provided valuable experience in field operations and reservoir performance management.
After moving to the United Kingdom, Tatiana completed both an MSc and a PhD in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Aberdeen. Her doctoral research focused on improving oil-water separation in environmentally friendly surfactant systems, with an emphasis on reducing chemical consumption and improving process efficiency through the use of magnetic nanoparticles. She has contributed to several technical publications and SPE papers in the areas of emulsion treatment, production optimization, and enhanced oil recovery.
Prior to her current position, she worked as a Project Engineer within Hunting's OOR business, supporting projects and offshore operations across the Western Hemisphere.
As Co Vice-Chair of the SPE Student Development Committee, Tatiana is passionate about supporting students and early-career professionals as they transition into the energy industry. She enjoys contributing to initiatives that encourage professional growth, networking, mentorship, and engagement between academia and industry. Drawing on her international experience in both Mexico and the UK, she is committed to helping students develop the skills and confidence needed for successful careers in the evolving energy sector.
