Faculty Fellows 2024

Six faculty members at the Jackson School of Geosciences were elected fellows of professional scientific societies, an honor that recognizes scientific achievement and service

Bridget Scanlon, fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Research Professor Bridget Scanlon was among 11 faculty members at The University of Texas at Austin who were elected fellows of the AAAS. Eligible nominees are members whose efforts for the advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially distinguished. Scanlon is a leading authority on water resources, including its usage, storage and conservation.

Demian Saffer, fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU)

The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics Director Demian Saffer has been named an AGU Fellow, the organization’s highest honor. Only a tiny fraction (0.1%) of its 40,000 members achieves this status. According to AGU, Saffer was selected for “leadership in unifying the hydrological, mechanical and geological study of earthquakes and subduction dynamics.”

Zong-Liang Yang, fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS)

Professor Zong-Liang Yang was elected a 2025 fellow of the AMS, an honor that recognizes outstanding contributions to the atmospheric or related oceanic or hydrologic sciences or their applications during a substantial period of years. Yang’s research focuses on understanding and modeling interactions between the land and atmosphere, with his models used at centers around the globe.

Michael Young, fellow of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA)

Associate Dean for Research Michael Young was named a fellow of the ASA, the highest recognition bestowed by the organization. It is based on professional achievements and meritorious service. Young has over 35 years of professional experience in academic research, federal regulatory oversight and private industry. His research spans the general areas of environmental geosciences, hydrology, and soil sciences and physics.

Daniel Breecker, fellow of the Geological Society of America (GSA)

Professor Daniel Breecker is among two faculty members at the Jackson School of Geosciences to be named a GSA Fellow in 2024. Breecker’s nomination highlighted sustained achievements in research, mentoring and training geoscientists. Breecker began teaching at the Jackson School in 2009 and studies biogeochemical processes occurring at or near the land surface.

Mark Helper, fellow of the Geological Society of America (GSA)

Distinguished Senior Lecturer Emeritus Mark Helper also has been named a GSA Fellow. Helper taught at the Jackson School of Geosciences for 32 years and was field camp director until his retirement in 2022. The fellowship nomination cited Helper’s impact on the nation’s geoscience education and especially his contributions to NASA’s astronaut training in geology.