University of St. Thomas Professors Daniel Perez and Mayra Addison participated in a February, round-table webinar dialogue titled “Visionary — Life after COVID — What’s Ahead.” The digital gathering of experts was a Trilateral Energy Supply Chain webinar hosted by the International Society for Mexico Energy (ISME).

Addison on Electricity, Energy Markets and the Environment

Addison teaches in UST’s Masters in Public Policy and Administration in the Department of Political Science. As an expert on electricity, energy markets and the environment, she initiated the webinar conversation by discussing how the pandemic has changed energy in general, and electricity consumption in particular. She shared her thoughts about the world’s prospects for the hydrocarbon markets going forward and their impact on the environment. She cited current research by her Alma Mater’s Energy Institute at Haas at UC Berkeley.

Addison, who holds a Master's in Engineering and a Master's in Business Administration and Finance, concluded her talk noting the substantial, perhaps permanent, changes in electricity demand due to working, studying and shopping remotely; and the challenges markets and regulators face with regard to new patterns in energy consumption.

Perez on New Trends & Financial Opportunities

Perez, an international finance expert, who teaches in UST’s Cameron School of Business and has Mexican family roots, talked about new trends in consumer preferences and financial opportunities after the pandemic. He emphasized the importance of innovative technologies to deal with social distancing, working, shopping or studying remotely. For example, he highlighted "smart" helmets for the oil and gas industry. These helmets allow field staff workers to provide real-time data to engineers from the actual work site.

His talk also led to a discussion on social responsibility and impact investing. Perez mentioned that companies need to strive to be socially responsible. He stressed that social responsibility may lead to greater company profits and market capitalization. 

The round table concluded by analyzing the financial and geopolitical implications of the new energy legislation, currently being voted in the Mexican Legislature.

ISME Forges Academic Partnership with UST

Recently, ISME announced an academic partnership with UST - Houston where the organization holds its monthly educational meetings. The partnership with ISME serves to build bridges between U.S. and Mexican energy interests; and poses opportunities for St. Thomas and its students.

ISME (www.ISMexicoEnergy.org) is an international association of professionals promoting participation across Mexico's energy sectors. ISME provides a permanent, neutral space for industry, government, and academia for networking and knowledge sharing across the upstream, midstream, downstream, and electricity sectors as well as to exchange perspectives and opportunities.