Three Rice Engineering and Computing alumni have joined the Engineering Advisory Board (EAB) and will serve as advisors to the dean. David Allison '08, Ed Graham ‘89 and Robert Kester '10 bring expertise that will help guide strategic developments in the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing’s healthcare innovations and energy transition initiatives.
“David, Ed, and Robert bring to the board a wealth of knowledge in entrepreneurship, innovation, and research commercialization,” said Luay Nakhleh, William and Stephanie Sick Dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing. “Their expertise will help the school navigate these strategically important areas.”
David Allison’s expertise in commercializing healthcare solutions and globally scaling companies aligns with Rice Engineering and Computing’s goal of developing faster, more accessible healthcare innovations.
As a Managing Director at Westlake BioPartners—a life science venture capital firm—Allison brings more than 15 years of healthcare investing, company formation and translational research experience. Previously, he has held investment roles with Versant Ventures, Split Rock Partners, and PTV Healthcare Capital and was a Partner at 5AM Ventures in San Francisco.
As a Rice alumnus with a doctorate in bioengineering, Allison views joining the EAB as a way to give back to Rice by supporting excellence in engineering education and research.
“Rice shaped how I approach complex problems—with curiosity, rigor, and a commitment to innovation,” said Allison. “I’m honored to support Rice Engineering and Computing as it prepares future leaders to advance technology and drive positive change in the world.” In addition to his commitment to the EAB, Allison also serves on the External Advisory Board for the Rice Biotech Launch Pad.
Ed Graham’s background in the global energy sector will help shape the school’s approach to building more sustainable practices for the world’s growing energy needs. Graham is retired from ExxonMobil, where he spent more than three decades leading both oil and gas production and low carbon solution development. Most recently, he was the Vice President of New Assets for ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, fostering international business opportunities in hydrogen, carbon capture and storage.
Previously, he oversaw Iraq's world-class West Qurna I oilfield as the Vice President of ExxonMobil Iraq Limited and later managed business interests in Malaysia as the President of ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc. He joined ExxonMobil in 1989 after receiving his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rice University.
As Graham returns to Rice as an EAB member, he is confident that today’s Rice Engineering and Computing students will play an important role in shaping a more sustainable future globally.
“I’m excited to be joining the Engineering Advisory Board and to be more active again at Rice,” said Graham. “Higher education has a critical role to play in building a better future for humanity. I hope that I can bring constructive insights from my years in industry to help the school improve its research programs and deliver graduates that are prepared to make a positive impact on the world.”
Robert Kester’s expertise in technology-driven energy solutions supports Rice Engineering and Computing's efforts to bring breakthrough technologies from labs into the global market. An award-winning entrepreneur, Kester earned Wall Street Journal’s Startup of the Year in 2013 for his company Rebellion Photonics and its Gas Cloud Imaging Camera. As the company’s co-founder and CEO, he invented its innovative hyperspectral gas imaging technology and holds 25 patents with 26+ pending.
Kester is now a technology and innovation partner at Veriten—an energy-focused research, investment and strategy firm—where he helps advise and invest in future energy startups working on sustainable, scalable, and economically viable solutions with minimal environmental impact. Previously, he served as chief technology officer for emissions solutions at Honeywell Process Solutions.
“My goal in joining the EAB is to help provide guidance for Rice Engineering and Computing programs and ensure they are strategically aligned with the most difficult challenges facing American industries,” said Kester. “I look forward to contributing my expertise in the energy industry while learning about other industries—and exploring how Rice can play a pivotal role in American innovation more broadly.”