Young Named Halbouty Distinguished Lecturer by GSA

December 13, 2025

The Geological Society of America (GSA) has selected Michael H. Young, the associate dean for research at the Jackson School of Geosciences, to be this year’s Michel T. Halbouty Distinguished Lecturer. 

Each year, the Halbouty lecturer presents at the GSA annual meeting. Young’s lecture at this year’s meeting in San Antonio focused on the all-in costs, environmental and economic, of expanding and running an electrical grid for Texas, a topic of relevance to geological resources.  

Young specializes in research at the intersection of energy, environment and economics. That includes one of his most recent research endeavors, the Comparing Electricity Options program, which analyzes the cradle-to-grave costs of different forms of electricity production. Young is also involved with the Texas Soil Observation Network, which monitors soil moisture at dozens of sites in Texas. These data are important for understanding drought and flood risks across the state. 

As the associate dean for research, Young is responsible for fostering an active research culture at the school and promoting collaboration across the Jackson School’s three units and with partners across the broader University and beyond. Recently, Young has played a pivotal role in advancing the school’s new Strategic Investment Plan for research, or SIP. (See Q&A on page xx). Although still in its early stages, the plan seeks to bring together scientists across the Jackson School to advance shared research goals in three key areas: geohazards; energy, resources and global change; and planetary dynamics. 

“Working across disciplines is challenging, but the rewards are enormous,” said Young, who is also a research professor at the Jackson School’s Bureau of Economic Geology. “Collaborating with engineers, economists, environmentalists and other stakeholders builds the kinds of comprehensive solutions needed to address complex societal issues.” 

Halbouty lecturers are selected by the GSA on the basis of career accomplishments and reputation. Young has been part of the Jackson School for 15 years. Before joining the school, he worked in academic institutions, private industry, and for the federal government.