Ramona Graves PhD '82 from Colorado School of Mines reflects on a 40-year career in petroleum engineering at Colorado School of Mines. She was awarded emeritus status in 2019.
Graves is the second woman in the US to receive a doctorate in petroleum engineering. She was the petroleum engineering department head at Mines from 2007–2012. In 2013, Graves was named dean of the College of Earth Resource Sciences and Engineering. She has an extensive background in multidisciplinary reservoir characterization, rock mechanics, environmental issues in petroleum development and production, and high-power-laser-rock-fluid interaction. She has taught industry short courses on these topics throughout the United States, South America, Australia, Russia, the Far East, and Europe.
Graves is the SPE Director for Academia. In 2017, she was awarded the SPE International Distinguished Achievement Award for Petroleum Engineering Faculty. She is a Distinguished Member of SPE and has served on SPE’s Academic Advisory Committee. In 2018, she received the inaugural Pinnacle Award from Oil and Gas Investor for lifetime achievement and contributions to the industry.