Lorena Moscardelli, Director of the Bureau of Economic Geologist and State Geologist of Texas

On March 17, 2025, Lorena Moscardelli became the director of the Bureau of Economic Geology and state geologist of Texas.  She brings to the position more than 20 years of experience in energy research in industry and academia, most recently leading the bureau’s largest research program: the State of Texas Advanced Resource Recovery (STARR) program, which works to enhance the efficient production and profitability of energy and natural resources in Texas.  

Moscardelli joined STARR in 2021, but her bureau connection stretches much further back. After earning a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from Central University of Venezuela, Moscardelli came to the bureau in 2003 as a doctoral student. She was there for 10 years as a student and researcher before accepting a position at Statoil (now Equinor), an international energy company, where she worked in research, exploration and field development in the Norwegian continental shelf, offshore Canada, and the Gulf of Mexico. 

Moscardelli is the bureau’s ninth director and the first woman to lead the institution, which is the oldest and second-largest research institution at The University of Texas at Austin, and which also functions at the State Geological Survey of Texas.  

Founded in 1909 and long a leader in oil and gas and environmental research, the bureau now has major programs in hydrogen, critical minerals, groundwater resources and geothermal energy, and it is an international leader in geologic carbon capture and storage research. It is also a hub for cross-campus energy research, working closely with UT’s Cockrell School of Engineering, Energy Institute, McCombs School of Business and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center. 

Moscardelli said that among her priorities as bureau director is increasing collaboration with partners inside and outside of the university to tackle the key energy and resource challenges of the future. She is also working to increase the bureau’s role in the Jackson School’s educational mission, including exploring educational opportunities for students and industry professionals.  

WATCH: TEXAS in DEPTH 

Take a tour of the bureau’s core collection and learn more about the critical research happening at the bureau, directly from Dr. Moscardelli herself.