Welcome message

February 16, 2026

Friends,

I am excited to present you The Geoscientist. This is my first issue of the magazine as the interim Dean of the Jackson School of Geosciences. As the former chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and a longtime Jackson School professor, I’m well aware of the impactful work of my talented colleagues and our tremendous students at the school. As the interim dean, I am truly honored to be representing such a remarkable group.

From Professor Mrinal Sen’s visionary ideas on how quantum computing could change seismic imaging, to an in-depth look at how our environmental science program is helping shape geoscientists of the future, this issue of The Geoscientist has some great examples of our amazing research and educational efforts happening at the Jackson School.

While these are challenging times for the geosciences and science funding as a whole, I firmly believe the Jackson School has tremendous momentum and is well positioned to thrive and lead cutting-edge and societally impactful science. Need an example? Have a look at “Leveling Up,” our Q&A with Associate Dean for Research Michael Young where he discusses the school’s new Strategic Investment Plan. We also share an update on Director Lorena Moscardelli’s stellar first year leading the Bureau of Economic Geology, and her focus on helping the state and its residents understand and manage the resources of the Lone Star State.

At the Jackson School, we embrace challenges and turn them into opportunities for high-impact science that matters to people, communities, and the economy.

I am humbled to lead such an amazing school and thrilled to bring you a few of the stories of its faculty, scientists and students.

Enjoy The Geoscientist!

Danny Stockli, Interim Dean

Jackson School of Geosciences

The University of Texas at Austin