2025 Newsletter
Welcome to the Jackson School of Geosciences Newsletter.
A tradition since 1950, the Newsletter highlights research, news and achievements by Jackson School faculty, students, scientists and alumni.
Features
Quantum Shift
Geophysicist Mrinal Sen thinks quantum computing could soon make real-time seismic imaging a reality.
Change Agent
Dean Claudia Mora is retiring. She leaves behind a school that’s more cohesive, connected and ready to face the future.
Reflecting on 20 Years
Learn about the early days from members of the Jackson School who were there when it all started.
Gateway to the Geosciences
Environmental Science is one of the hottest undergraduate majors at the Jackson School. It’s also a great on-ramp for other geosciences fields.
Life on the Rocks
Professor Charlie Kerans is retiring after 40 years of research, education and mentorship at UT.
Q&A: The Big SIP
Associate Dean for Research Michael Young shares how the Jackson School's new Strategic Investment Plan is leveraging the school's strengths.
Research Briefs
Space and Planetary Sciences
- UT Blasts Off for Europa
- Closing the Loop on Martian Water Cycle
- Rivers Bend to Their Own Beat
- Liquid Core Explains Mars’ Lopsided Magnetic Field
- Swaying Moons Could Mean Hidden Oceans
Fundamental Geosciences
- Geochemistry Lab Expands Footprint
- Zama Basin Sands Made by Drive-By Microcontinent
- Mantle Activity Set Course for Humanity
- Closing an Evolutionary Gap With Zircons
- North America Is Dripping from Below
Earth Hazards
- New Model for Predicting Landslides
- What’s Driving Permian Basin Earthquakes?
- UT Team Advances to XPRIZE Wildfire Semifinals
- Real-Time Soil Moisture Data Now Possible
- Scientists Capture Slow-Motion Earthquake in Action
- Algorithm Raises Questions About Cascadia Earthquake Record
Energy Resources
- New Research Group Tackles Data Center Issues on Texas Electric Grid
- New Podcast Explores the Latest in Rare Earth Elements
- Scouring the Gulf Coast for Rare Earth Elements
- Explore the Jackson School’s Energy Strengths on New Webpage
- Optimal Incentives for Carbon Capture and Enhanced Oil Recovery
- When Storing Hydrogen, Pore Size Matters
- Strong Geothermal Presence in Presidio County
- Coal Ash Holds Huge Cache of Rare Earth Elements
- New Technology Improves Oil Production and Carbon Storage
Climate and Environment
- Texas Microplastics Being Swept Out to Sea
- Cities Are Rainfall Magnets
- Arctic Groundwater Carrying Lots of Carbon
- How Vulnerable Houston Neighborhoods Can Beat the Heat
- Southwest Megadrought Could Last Much Longer
- Texas Schools Teach Carbon Capture
- Declining Aerosols Could Increase Heatwaves
- Better Understanding Ice Layer Formation and Sea Level Rise
Paleontology
- Dinosaur Footprints Found After Floods
- The Art of the Dino
- Buc-ee’s T-shirt Shows UT Fossil
- Dinosaurs Were Picky Eaters
- Oldest-Known Modern Bird Was Duck Relative
- Change in Ocean Calcium Shaped Sea Life
- Cross-Disciplinary Science Dates Fiona’s Death
- Cave Cat Bones Are Neotropical Species
Water
- How Much Water Does Texas Hydrogen Need?
- Water In Bedrock is Helping Sustain Trees in Edwards Plateau
- Lake Travis Temperature Stratification Changed After July Floods
- Texas Hydro Hub on the Way
New Faces
- Lorena Moscardelli Leads Bureau of Economic Geology
- Richard Denne is New GBDS Director
- Jessica Bent is New GeoFORCE Director
- Ander Martinez-Doñate
- Tony Hollenback
- Naïm Celini
- Seth Busetti
- Christine Simurda
- Cameron Cummins
- Daniel Alessi
- Ben Rendall
- Seyyed Hosseini
- Marcus Gary
Notes From the Field
- Investigating Fault Activity in Nepal
- Spring Break in Patagonia
- Teaching in the Andes Mountains of Argentina
- Research and Outreach Program Returns to Jamaica for Second Year
School News
- The Jackson School Turns 20 & More Milestones
- Jackson School’s Enrollment at an All-Time High
- Jackson School Professors Lead UNESCO Chair in Open Data, AI, Water, and Cities
- On Display: Ore Minerals From Mexico and Meteorites
- Stockli Chairs Department for Second Term
- Conferences & Workshops Recap
- New Books
Summer Field Camps
Distinctions
- Awards List
- Winners of 14th Annual Jackson School of Geosciences Research Symposium
- Loucks Receives Highest Honor of SEPM’s Gulf Coast Section
- Professor Zong-Liang Yang elected an AGU Fellow
- Young Named Halbouty Distinguished Lecturer by GSA
- Doctoral Student Research Recognized by AGU
- Alumnus’s Company Wins XPRIZE
- Persad Wins CAREER Award From NSF
- Undergrad Researcher Recognized by UT President
- Goudge Leads CIFAR Research Group
- Touma Wins Women in Science Incentive Prize
- Asteroid Named After Hanna
- Lowery Wins Prestigious Prize for Work on Mass Extinctions
FANs Board
Alumni Notes
Donors
Memorials
Dean's Welcome
Friends,
As I watch our crack communications team assemble the annual Newsletter, I am always left a bit breathless by the amazing things that fill a year’s time at this wonderful school! So, I am proud to share with you my sixth and final annual Newsletter as dean of the Jackson School of Geosciences. I will be stepping down at the end of my term on Jan. 31, 2026.
Leading this school has been the greatest honor of my career — and a heck of a lot of fun, too! My story is shared on page 25. While I will still carry on a few tasks in the geo-community, I look forward to returning home to northern New Mexico to share time with my husband Pete, hit some places on our bucket list, and hope that at least one of our five children chooses to procreate. As of the time of publication, we are still awaiting word on who my successor will be, but I am confident the new dean will be a top talent, ready to carry on our important work and lead us in new and exciting directions.
I am so proud of what the Jackson School leadership team has accomplished together during the past six years, including doubling our undergraduate enrollment. Many things came together to drive this growth: a flexible and modern new curriculum, investment in student research and classroom infrastructure, and a simply fabulous student affairs team. Young people are discovering that geoscience is critical to solving some of society’s greatest challenges, and they want to be part of it. See the feature on page 47 about how our environmental science major is also part of this story.
I share my goodbyes with the “Guad Father” himself, Professor Charlie Kerans. Enjoy a look back at Charlie’s career (page 57). Charlie mentored and led generations of geologists in the field, and he did pioneering work on carbonate systems and reservoirs. After 40-plus years of field work that required hiking, climbing, canoeing and diving, Charlie has entered a well-earned retirement. I hear he plans to do more hiking, climbing, canoeing and diving — and looking at more rocks!
To help weather the current storm surrounding federal funding for scientific research, the Jackson School is taking proactive steps to leverage our strengths to break out and lead in key research areas through our new Strategic Investment Plan. See the Q&A with Associate Dean for Research Michael Young on page 69 to learn more about it.
The Jackson School also celebrated its 20-year anniversary this year. A lot has changed over the years (page 37) but the mission remains the same: to pursue sustained leadership and the highest distinction in the geosciences. I feel privileged to have played my part in the school’s still-young existence. Every day, I see colleagues, staff and students applying their talents, reaching for that goal and working to advance us, collectively. I have been so privileged to share this adventure!
Best wishes to all!
Claudia I. Mora, Dean