Shikha Sharma

Shikha Sharma is the Marshall S. Miller Energy Professor of Geology at West Virginia University's Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. As Director of the IsoBioGeM Laboratory and Chief Scientific Officer of the WV Institute of Sustainability & Energy Research, she leads cutting-edge studies in sustainable energy solutions, geochemistry, and biogeochemistry.

• West Virginia University (Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geology and Geography)
• Lab: IsoBioGeM Laboratory
• Role: Academic Researcher, Educator, and Lab Director

Dr. Sharma's research focuses on environmental and sustainable energy including unconventional shales, subsurface CO2 and H2 storage, geothermal systems, and critical/rare earth mineral extraction. Her lab employs isotopic analysis, geochemical techniques, microscopy, and modeling to address energy-environment challenges.

Recent publications highlight her work on subsurface hydrogen storage optimization (DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences, 2022-2025), critical mineral extraction from coals/shales (NETL/Industry, 2022-2025), and geothermal system geochemistry (DOE-EERE, 2021-2026). These studies span carbon sequestration, shale fracturing fluid interactions, and rare earth element distribution in Appalachian Basin formations.

Scientific Recognition:

• 2024: Top 50 Women Leaders of West Virginia
• Led 15+ major federally funded projects (DOE, NSF, EPA, USGS)
• Developed WV Water Quality Impact Portal (EPA grant)

As an academic mentor, Dr. Sharma has supervised 11 PhD/Master's students including Samuel Bowman (2024), Shailee Bhattacharya (2024), and Rachel Yesenchak (2023). Her lab's instrumentation includes high-precision isotope ratio mass spectrometers, high-PT reactors, and advanced spectroscopy tools.