LinkedIn Voices: Michael Taiwo, PhD

LinkedIn Voices: Michael Taiwo, Ph.D.

Michael Taiwo, Ph.D., embodies the intersection of innovation, operational excellence, and social impact. From advancing hydrogen technology at Shell USA to advising emerging companies on hydrogen infrastructure, Michael has built a career that merges energy transition leadership with entrepreneurship, mentorship, and global scholarship advocacy.

Who Is Michael Taiwo?

Michael Taiwo is a social entrepreneur, energy-transition strategist, and coach dedicated to shaping the hydrogen economy and supporting ambitious professionals worldwide. He currently leads operations and consulting roles at Fortrose Consulting and Hydrogen Systems, focusing on safety, reliability, customer experience, and positive cash flow for hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

Beyond the hydrogen sector, Michael is the founder of The Michael Taiwo Scholarships, which has awarded 230 scholarships to over 43,000 applicants across 67 countries. He also coaches scholars, professionals, and aspiring immigrants on EB1-A and EB2‑NIW petitions, helping them achieve career and educational breakthroughs.

His Mission?

“To build operationally excellent hydrogen infrastructure while empowering the next generation of global talent to succeed through curiosity, humility, and entrepreneurial thinking.”

Through LinkedIn, Quora, and his scholarship platforms, Michael connects with thousands of energy professionals, immigrant applicants, and early-career talent, providing practical guidance and inspiration for achieving ambitious goals.

From Hydrogen Innovation to Social Impact

Michael’s career began in chemical engineering, earning a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas before joining Shell, where he led North American hydrogen operations. There, he developed a framework for operational excellence in hydrogen refueling: safety-first design, reliability, customer delight, and positive cash flow, a blueprint now applied across the nascent hydrogen sector.

Recognizing that innovation alone isn’t enough, Michael channels his expertise into advocacy, coaching, and mentorship. He emphasizes “fail fast” experimentation, curiosity, and interdisciplinary learning as the foundations for building an emergent industry.

Mission: Talent Uplift at Scale

Michael’s work extends far beyond energy. Through The Michael Taiwo Scholarships and personalized coaching, he provides access, mentorship, and practical guidance to thousands of scholars and professional, particularly Africans in the West who seek academic, professional, and immigration success.

His results speak volumes:

• 230 scholarships awarded to over 43,000 applicants from 67+ countries

• LinkedIn reach of 45,000+ professionals in energy, operations, and social entrepreneurship

• Ongoing thought leadership in hydrogen operations, carbon management, and achievement-based immigration coaching

  
  

Themes & Message Pillars

1. Operational Excellence in Hydrogen: 

   Safety, reliability, customer delight, and unit economics guide all decision-making in his consulting and industry advisory work.

   
   

2. Advocacy & Industry Building: 

   Humility, curiosity, and rapid experimentation shape how Michael approaches a new sector, defining standards for emerging operations.

   
   

3. Talent Uplift & Access: 

   Scholarships, masterclasses, and coaching programs provide structured pathways for global talent to excel academically and professionally.

   
   

4. Immigration Coaching: 

   Experience-driven guidance for EB1-A and EB2‑NIW petitions empowers aspiring immigrants to navigate complex processes successfully.

   
   

LinkedIn Content Strategy: Thought Leadership at Work

Michael Taiwo, Ph.D. On LinkedIn

Michael leverages LinkedIn and Quora to blend technical expertise with mentorship. His content combines operational frameworks, career guidance, and social impact lessons to educate, inspire, and mobilize a global audience.

Tone & Style:

• Insightful, disciplined, and motivational

• Balances technical authority with human-centered storytelling

• Designed to educate first, inspire second

Some Of His Posts:

www.linkedin.com

#phd #asmb #mtscholarships | The Michael Taiwo Scholarships

MT Scholar Ive-Anwuli Shines at Prestigious ASMB Conference in Baltimore We are incredibly proud to celebrate Ive-Anwuli Ralph-Uyalor, a 2021 MT Scholar, for presenting her research at the recently concluded American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB) Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. With the inspiring theme, “Matrix Marvels: 25 Years of Pioneering Progress, Infinite Potential Ahead,” the conference convened global thought leaders and innovators, and we’re thrilled to see a committed member of the MT Scholarships Community shine on such a prestigious platform. Ive, now a 4th-Year PhD candidate at Drexel University, continues to push the boundaries of scientific discovery with her groundbreaking research on the role of the AIM2 inflammasome in lamellipodia formation and fibroblast migration. Beyond her impressive academic contributions, Ive also serves with excellence as the Chief Financial Officer of MT Scholarships. She's a graduate of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University where she bagged a Bachelor's degree in Biological Science [CGPA: 4.01/5.00]. Today, we celebrate your excellence, impact, and unyielding dedication. Congratulations , Ive. #PhD #ASMB #MTScholarships

www.linkedin.com

EB-1A Approval Alert! Petroleum Engineering Masters student, research focus on blending hydrogen into natural gas pipelines. So, of course, I not only helped her with the petition but also wrote a… | Michael Taiwo, Ph.D. | 10 comments

EB-1A Approval Alert! Petroleum Engineering Masters student, research focus on blending hydrogen into natural gas pipelines. So, of course, I not only helped her with the petition but also wrote a letter of recommendation to support the case. Only 6 citations so we didn't talk about that at all. It was a difficult case since she only has a Bachelors degree but she has demonstrated expertise in other ways. Another one in the bag. Congrats! | 10 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

#socialsaturday #mtscholarships #gradschool | The Michael Taiwo Scholarships

"If You Could Start Over...." It’s Social Saturday and we’re taking a quick trip down memory lane. 🎯 Imagine hitting rewind to the start of your grad school application journey, when everything felt uncertain but exciting. Before the GRE or TOEFL, before the deadlines, before the sleepless nights polishing your essays. What’s one piece of advice you’d whisper to your younger self now that you’ve come this far? 💭 Share it below 👇. Someone out there might need to hear it today. #SocialSaturday #MTScholarships #GradSchool

www.linkedin.com

And that’s a wrap for this year’s GRE voucher giveaway! I shall be covering the cost of the GRE exam this year for the dozen students announced so far. For many, this exam is a crucial step toward… | Michael Taiwo, Ph.D.

And that’s a wrap for this year’s GRE voucher giveaway! I shall be covering the cost of the GRE exam this year for the dozen students announced so far. For many, this exam is a crucial step toward securing fully funded scholarships for their Master’s or PhD programs, so it’s a joy to play a small part in their journey. A heartfelt thank you to our four dedicated volunteers — all Michael Taiwo Scholars — who carefully reviewed over 140 applications and scored each based on our set criteria. My sincere appreciation also goes to Olayiwola, our indefatigable Operations Manager at The Michael Taiwo Scholarships and Pieta, my Executive Assistant for all MT Scholarships matters. They both ensured the process ran smoothly, providing oversight and thoughtful guidance at every stage. It’s no small feat. After all, we’re sponsoring about ₦350,000 each, so a lot of thought and care went into every decision. I look forward to seeing these students excel, achieve high scores, and ultimately fulfill their dreams. Congratulations to them all.

Media Appearances

Why We Started Michael Taiwo Annual Scholarships

Welcome address from our Founder & President, Michael Taiwo, PhD

Winning Reviewer's Heart Through Compelling Storytelling in SOP - Dr. Michael Taiwo

Why Michael Taiwo Matters

Michael Taiwo represents a new kind of leader: one who builds industries while elevating people. His story illustrates that operational excellence, social impact, and talent empowerment are not separate pursuit, they are interconnected drivers of meaningful change.

“Success is not just about building infrastructure or winning awards, it’s about enabling others to reach their highest potential.” - Michael Taiwo, Ph.D.

Profile Summary

Category	Details
Name	Michael Taiwo, Ph.D.
Headline (LinkedIn)	Hydrogen
Current Roles	- Director, Fortrose Consulting (since June 2024) - Director of Operations, Hydrogen – Hydrogen Systems (since Mar 2024) - President, Dreams Bridge (since Oct 2023) - Founder, The Michael Taiwo Scholarships (since Oct 2019)
Former Roles	Head of Operations, Hydrogen – North America, Shell (Mar 2021- Feb 2024); earlier Shell engineering and safety roles (2012–2021)
Education	Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas B.Sc., Chemical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University
Location	Lake Elsinore, California
Industry Focus	Hydrogen Operations, Carbon Management, Energy Transition, Social Entrepreneurship, Talent Uplift, Achievement-Based Immigration Coaching
LinkedIn Followers	45,428
Quora Presence	~246 followers; active in immigration, visas, productivity Q&A
Scholarship Program Reach	>43,000 applicants from 67+ countries; 230 scholarships awarded
Key Expertise / Themes	- Hydrogen operational excellence (safety, reliability, customer experience, positive cash flow) - Advocacy & industry building for hydrogen sector - Talent uplift & access via scholarships & coaching - EB1-A and EB2‑NIW immigration petition guidance
Key Qualities	Humility, curiosity, entrepreneurial mindset, "fail fast" experimentation
Website / Profiles	MT Scholarships: mtscholarships.org/team-members/michael-taiwo-phd
Notable Achievements	- Led Shell North America hydrogen operations - Built operational excellence frameworks for hydrogen refueling infrastructure - Founded and scaled The Michael Taiwo Scholarships globally

LinkedIn Profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeltaiwophd