Christine Simurda 

December 13, 2025

CHRISTINE SIMURDA
Assistant Professor of Practice & NextStep Geosciences Director 

Christine Simurda joined the Jackson School of Geosciences as an assistant professor of practice in geoscience education and serves as the director of NextStep Geosciences, the school’s summer research program for undergraduates interested in the geosciences. (The program was formerly called Research Traineeship Experience, or RTX.) In addition to this role, Simurda helps faculty members and students prepare effective research proposals. She is also developing new remote sensing courses. 

Before joining the Jackson School, Simurda spent five years as a researcher at the UT Applied Research Laboratories, using remote sensing data to interpret surface structures. She received a doctoral degree in geology and planetary science from the University of Pittsburgh, where she researched lava flows on Earth and Mars, using remote sensing techniques.