Climate & the Environment

From land-water-atmosphere-biosphere interactions and climate dynamics to the carbon cycle, our research covers all aspects of climate from past to present. Our geobiology research ranges from biotic changes through time and evolutionary morphology and systematics to geomicrobiology.

Research in the Climate & the Environment theme focuses on the following subthemes:

Climate & the Environment News

June 24, 2026

Jackson School Class Helped Model July 4 Storm and Found That Rainfall was Slightly Suppressed

Last fall, a group of 12 students huddled around their laptops in a dark room in the Jackson School of Geosciences building. Their screens, which…

June 4, 2026

Easily Overlooked Small Wetlands Are a Big Source of Global Methane

Water-logged land areas such as marshes, bogs and fens are the world’s largest natural source of methane. Even the smallest of wetlands emit this powerful…

February 10, 2026

When Blackouts Occur During Heat Waves, Austin Homes Pose Major Risk

If the power goes out during a heat wave, there’s nowhere more dangerous to be than where people spend most of their time — indoors….

July 16, 2025

Decline in Aerosols Could Lead to More Heatwaves in Populated Areas

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent around the world. And while rising temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions are part of the problem, the declining levels…

July 15, 2025

Relief From Drought in Southwest U.S. Likely Isn’t Coming, According to New Research

The Southwest United States is currently facing its worst megadrought of the past 1,200 years. According to a recent study from The University of Texas…

More News

Faculty

	Jay L Banner Isotopic methods, sustainability, groundwater, oceans, ancient oceans, climate change, aquifers, caves, environmental science, geochemistry, paleoclimatology, urbanization, environmental justice, community-engaged research
	Christopher J Bell osteology, anatomy, history of science, Vertebrate paleontology, climate change
	Lisa D Boucher Paleobotany, Evolutionary Biology, Paleoecology, Biogeography, Plant Anatomy
	Daniel O Breecker
	M. Bayani Cardenas Hydrology and Hydrogeology
	Ginny Catania hydrology, Stratigraphy, glaciology, Antarctica
	Julia A Clarke Vertebrate paleontology
	Kerry H Cook Climate dynamics, atmospheric dynamics, global climate change, paleoclimate, climate and weather of Africa and South America, climate system modeling, climate change in Texas
	Dapeng Feng Terrestrial Water Cycle; Large-scale Hydrologic Modeling; Ecosystem-Water interactions; Hybrid AI-Physics modeling; Remote Sensing of Hydrology; Climate Change Impacts;
	Sergey Fomel Computational and exploration geophysics; seismic imaging; wave propagation; seismic data analysis; inverse problems; geophysical estimation
	Anna Ruth (Ruthie) Halberstadt Ice-sheet and climate modeling, model-data integration, marine geology, glaciology, geomorphology, paleoclimatology, glacial dynamics, past warm periods, Antarctica, Greenland, ice sheet (in)stability
	Patrick Heimbach Climate Variability, uncertainty quantification, Antarctica, climate change
	Ben Kligman Vertebrate paleontology, morphology, paleoecology, biogeography, Biostratigraphy, phylogeny, taphonomy, (especially lepidosaurs and lissamphibians), Innovation
	Fa Li wildfires, land-atmosphere interactions of carbon (CH₄ and CO₂)-water-energy, hydroclimatic risk, physics-informed AI, remote sensing, eddy covariance
	Rowan C Martindale Triassic and Jurassic reef paleoecology, mass extinctions (Triassic-Jurassic, 201 Ma), carbon cycle perturbation events in deep time, ocean acidification in deep time, Oceanic Anoxic Events, invertebrate paleontology (corals, sponges, algae, microbes), Mesozoic marine communities and ecosystems, exceptional fossil preservation (Lagerstätten), paleoecology, marine ecology, Geoscience Education, educational game design, carbonate ...
	Ashley M Matheny Ecohydrology, Bio- and Micro-meteorology, Vegetation Hydrodynamics, Watershed Hydrology, Land-Atmosphere Interactions, Biogeochemistry, Water and Carbon Cycles, Modeling
	Dev Niyogi sustainability
	Geeta Persad Atmospheric Aerosols, Climate Change, Climate Modeling, Air Pollution, Global Hydrologic Cycle, Monsoon Systems, Western U.S. Climate Impacts, Climate Policy and Decision-Making
	Mary F Poteet aquatic ecosystems, creek metabolic regimes, urbanization, biotic response and vulnerability to climate change
	Daniella M Rempe Hydrology, Geomorphology, Ecohydrology, Catchment Hydrology, Near-surface Geophysics, Hydrogeology
	Timothy M Shanahan Climate Variability, climate change, paleoclimatology, geochemistry, sedimentology, environmental science
	Zong-Liang Yang modeling, hydrology

Research Faculty

	Shuvajit Bhattacharya Petrophysics, Formation Evaluation, Quantitative Seismic Interpretation, Machine Learning, Integrated Subsurface Characterization, Carbon Sequestration
	Peter P Flaig North Slope-Alaska, Central Transantarctic Mountains-Antarctica, Canada, stratigraphy, architecture, Antarctica, Clastic sedimentology, lidar
	Marcus Gary Karst Hydrogeology
	Susan D Hovorka Carbon Sequestration, sedimentology, hydrogeology
	Benjamin Keisling Past climate, ice sheet dynamics, justice in geoscience
	Robert G Loucks Research in carbonate, sandstone, mudrock stratigraphy, sedimentology, diagenesis, reservoir characterization, pore network analysis
	Christopher Lowery Micropaleontology, Stratigraphy, Paleoceanography, Geochemistry
	Abouzar Mirzaei Paiaman Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) CO2-EOR Carbon Management (CCS/CCUS) Underground Storage (natural gas, CO2, hydrogen) Critical Minerals and Lithium Recovery
	Hailun Ni Fluid flow
	Jean Nicot Subsurface hydrology, Mathematical geology, geostatistics, inverse modeling, optimization, hydrology, numerical modeling, geochemistry
	Yuko M Okumura Climate dynamics, climate variability and change, large-scale ocean-atmosphere interactions, atmospheric teleconnections, paleoclimate and thermohaline circulation, climate change
	Jeffrey G Paine coastal geology, Quaternary geology and geomorphology, Geophysics, hydrogeology, Geomorphology
	Judson W Partin Paleoclimate, Stable and Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry, climate change
	Katherine D Romanak geochemistry, CO2 sequestration
	Bridget R Scanlon Climate Variability, numerical models
	Justin C Thompson
	Danielle Touma climate variability, climate change, extreme climate events, natural hazards, hydroclimatology
	Kehua You Carbon cycle, Methane Hydrate, Hydrogeology, Flow and Transport in Porous Media, Analytical and Numerical Modeling
	Duncan A Young remote sensing, glaciology, tectonics
	Michael H Young
	Tongwei Zhang Organic-inorganic interactions, Unconventional gas reservoir characterization, geochemistry, Isotope geochemistry, basin modeling, reservoir characterization, CO2 sequestration

Lecturers

	Marcus Gary Karst Hydrogeology
	Staci L Loewy
	Christopher Lowery Micropaleontology, Stratigraphy, Paleoceanography, Geochemistry
	Edward “Ned” K Vizy climate dynamics, atmospheric dynamics, climate change, extreme weather events, climate system modeling, hurricanes, paleoclimate, mesoscale modeling

Research Scientists

Kitty L Milliken

Petrography and geochemistry of siliciclastic rocks; diagenesis; electron microbeam methods: X-ray mapping, cathodoluminescence imaging; micro-scale reservoir characterization

Research Staff

	Jose L Abella Gutierrez
	Seyyed Abolfazl Hosseini CO2 sequestration, reservoir simulation
	Jay P Kipper Personnel management, fiscal reporting, budget management, contract negotiation, management of geological samples
	Staci L Loewy
	Edward “Ned” K Vizy climate dynamics, atmospheric dynamics, climate change, extreme weather events, climate system modeling, hurricanes, paleoclimate, mesoscale modeling

Emeritus

	Philip C Bennett Aqueous geochemistry, geomicrobiology, environmental and microbial geochemistry, hydrogeology
	Lawrence A Lawver Marine geophysics, plate tectonics, magnetics, gravity, heat flow, seismic studies, paleogeographic reconstructions of Gondwana, the Polar Regions, East Asia, the Western Pacific
	Terrence M Quinn Paleoclimate, climate, climate change, climate dynamics, paleoclimatology, paleoceanography, sedimentary geology and geochemistry
	Timothy B Rowe Vertebrate paleontology, phylogenetic systematics, high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, CT scanner, DigiMorph, informatics
	John M Sharp, Jr Hyrdogeology, flow in fractured rocks, thermohaline free convection, fracture skin effects, effects of urbanization, alluvial aquifers, hydrogeology of sedimentary basins, hydrogeophysics, hydrology, hydrogeology
	Paul L Stoffa Multichannel seismic acquisition, signal processing, acoustic and elastic wave propagation, modeling and inversion of geophysical data
	Frederick W Taylor, Jr tectonic geomorphology, Stratigraphy, Paleoclimate
	Scott W Tinker Global energy supply and demand, Technology Administration, Multidisciplinary reservoir characterization, Carbonate sedimentology, Sequence stratigraphy, 3-D reservoir modeling, Resource assessment.
	Clark R Wilson Geophysics, gravity, space geodesy, applied seismology

Postdocs

Ifeanyichukwu C Nduka

Graduate Students

	August Aalto Planetary Science, Geomorphology, remote sensing, history of science, Aqueous geochemistry
	Sophia Bautista
	Cameron Cummins Planetary Science, big data
	Nicole Ferrie Paleoclimate, earthquakes, Metamorphic petrology
	Malachi Glover
	Gerson Gonzalez-Marin environmental science
	Liz Hartmetz
	Berit Hudson Rasmussen remote sensing
	Alexander Janelle climate change, trace element, Geochronology
	Tanner Johnson
	Harsh Kamath Urban Climate and Renewable Energy
	Mielle Lee
	Rakshith Mallesh
	Morgan Mellum Paleoclimate, geochemistry
	Neelarun Mukherjee global warming
	Mikayla A Pascual
	Sara Peters Glaciology, Numerical Modeling, Glacial Geology, Marine Geology, Sea Level
	Romal Ramadhan Fluid flow in porous media
	Owen Seiner Ice-sheet climate modeling, glaciology, sub-glacial hydrology, glacial dynamics, past warm periods, Antarctica, Greenland
	Shivangini Singh
	Stacie Skwarcan
	Casey Vigilia numerical models
	Koutian Wu hydrology
	Mingda Wu
	Danielle Zaleski

Carbon Cpature and Geologic Storage

Undergraduate - ongoing - get in touch: tip.meckel@beg.utexas.edu

The Gulf Coast Carbon Center often engages with undergradutes in geology, EER, and petroleum engineering on topic related to carbon capture and geologic storage (CCS).

Posted by: Tip Meckel

Carbon Cycle in Arctic Permafrost

Graduate

I am looking for a new graduate student who is interested in research on carbon cycle in Arctic Permafrost.

Posted by: Kehua You

Ph.D. Opportunities in Environmental Seismology and Energy Transition

Graduate

My research group "Seismo4D" is actively looking for PhD students and postdocs. Please email me if you're interested.

Our group applies 4D seismology to understand Earth's physical processes associated with climate change and energy transition. Potential research topics focus on fluid/vapor systems in Earth's shallow subsurface, including hydrological processes, geothermal energy exploitation, critical zones, and volcanic unrest. Students in our group will develop and employ cutting-edge seismic techniques (such as passive seismic interferometry and time-lapse imaging) to study the spatiotemporal evolution and physical mechanisms of subsurface processes.

Posted by: Shujuan Mao

Geomechanics and Geofluids Research Jobs for Undergrads

Undergraduate

Do you want to study the Earth while learning the ins-and-outs of cutting-edge laboratory equipment, from maintenance to experiment design? UT GeoMechanics and GeoFluids investigates fluid flow and deformation in Earth materials using lab experiments, field work, and computer modeling.

We seek hard-working and detail-oriented students with a passion for learning. You will assist with ongoing projects: offshoots could lead to your senior thesis.

Tasks will include everything from the routine to the experimentally complex. You will work independently or with staff and researchers on experimental setup, equipment maintenance, laboratory clean up, sample preparation, data analysis, and a host of other tasks.

For more information contact Josh O'Connell.

Learn more about our research projects at UT GeoMechanics and GeoFluids.

Posted by: Peter B Flemings

Community-Based Research Program, BRIDGES: Building Resilience via Interdisciplinary Design, Geoscience, and Community-Engaged Solutions (Undergraduate)

Graduate

BRIDGES represents an emerging approach to environmental resilience that emphasizes bidirectional learning between universities and communities. These teams will comprise a 'Community of Practice' to design and implement research projects addressing community challenges in numerous themes, such as Water Resources, Climate Resilience, Land use, and Air Quality.

Posted by: Jay L Banner

NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Undergraduate

This summer program trains and supports undergraduates to undertake environmental science research. Details may be found at https://www.esi.utexas.edu/education/summer-research-experience-for-undergraduates-reu/.

Posted by: Jay L Banner

NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Undergraduate

Posted by: Jay L Banner

Paleoclimate reconstructions and modern hydrology of karst systems (NSF Paleo Perspectives on Climate Change Program)

Graduate

Our group reconstructs regional climate change in response to global change using speleothems and tree rings. These studies are advanced by analysis of modern karst hydrologic systems in which the speleothems are found. New opportunities for graduate research in this area are available for students applying for Fall admission. Contact Jay Banner at banner@jsg.utexas.edu.

Posted by: Jay L Banner

Urbanization and water resources (NSF Hydrologic Sciences Program)

Graduate

Our group studies the impacts of urbanization on hydrologic systems using geochemical, field, laboratory, and modeling methods. New opportunities for graduate research in this area are available for students applying for Fall admission. Contact Jay Banner at banner@jsg.utexas.edu.

Posted by: Jay L Banner

Graduate and undergraduate research in geologic sequestration of CO2

Graduate

Gulf Coast Carbon Center supports a team of students and post docs working in geologic sequestration (deep subsurface long-duration storage) of the major greenhouse gas CO2, as a method to reduce release to the atmosphere. Student projects are wide ranging, from sedimentology to policy, linked in that they are 1) multidisciplinary and 2) applied to current issues.
Students are typically jointly supervised by faculty in geology or petroleum geosystems engineering and staff at the GCCC. A class in geologic sequestration is offered in the fall some years.

Posted by: Susan D Hovorka

MSc or PhD Student

Graduate

Our team is almost always interested in recruiting new graduate students who are interested in paleoecology, marine communities, carbonate sedimentology, and/or geobiology. We currently have teo areas of focus, modern and Pleistocene reef and coastal communities in Jamaica and Early Jurassic marine paleoecology in Morocco

Posted by: Rowan C Martindale

High Resolution 3D marine seismic for fluid studies

Graduate

Opportunities exist to become involved in the design, acquisition, processing, and interpretation of high-resolution 3D marine seismic data. Current applications include characterization for subsurface storage of carbon dioxide and natural fluid migration studies. We anticipate development into imaging modern systems as reservoir analogs.

Posted by: Tip Meckel

Postdoctoral Fellow

Graduate

Purpose of position: To conduct research in numerical simulation of fluid flow using both traditional Darcy flow simulators as well as Invasion Percolation methods, sandbox flow modeling, and development of a strong publication record on the topic.

Essential functions: Develop numerical simulations of fluid flow CO2 in mm to m scale models informed by geologic depositional heterogeneity. Assist in designing and implementing laboratory validation experiments of sandbox flow modeling to support theoretical and numerical simulations. Publish results in peer reviewed outlets, assist in project reporting and make presentations, as needed to support project.

Required qualifications: PhD in hydrogeology, environmental engineering, or closely related geoscience field earned within the last three years. Relevant laboratory experience with sandbox scale flow experiments. Demonstrated research interest in forward and inverse modeling of subsurface flow and transport pertaining multi-phase flow.

Preferred qualifications Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to conduct experimental studies. Demonstrated experience in presenting and publishing results, including CO2 or CCS.

Posted by: Tip Meckel

PhD Student Opportunity in Climate Research

Graduate

A PhD student is recruited to conduct modeling and observational study of Pacific decadal variability and its relation to decadal modulations of El Nino-Southern Oscillation at the University of Texas at Austin. Background in oceanic and atmospheric sciences is preferred but not required. General information on the graduate program at the UT's Jackson School of Geosciences can be found at http://www.jsg.utexas.edu/. The deadline for Fall 2014 application is January 1st, 2014. Interested candidate should contact Yuko M. Okumura (yukoo@ig.utexas.edu) for more information.

Posted by: Yuko M Okumura

Stable isotopes as hydroclimatic indicators

Undergraduate

I am looking for an undergraduate student researcher to work on the analysis of stable isotopes in natural waters and plant materials. No experience necessary. The student researcher will be trained in extracting water samples on a vacuum system and analysis of stable isotopes using a laser spectrometer. Depending on progress, there may be opportunities to publish this research

Posted by: Timothy M Shanahan

Paleoclimate reconstructions in the southern Rocky Mountains

Undergraduate

I am looking for one or more undergraduate student researchers to work on paleoclimate reconstructions in the southern Rockies using geochemical indicators in lake sediments. No experience necessary. Depending on progress, there will be opportunities to publish.

Posted by: Timothy M Shanahan

Center for Injection Seismicity Research

The Center for Injection and Seismicity Research (CISR) is a research center at The University of Texas Jackson School of Geoscience's Bureau of Economic Geology. The goal of CISR is to conduct leading science and application on the impacts of large-scale injection on the subsurface and surface environment. CISR applies geology, seismology, hydrogeology, geomechanics, and satellite geodesy to study how reservoirs respond dynamically to fluid injection. The goal is to characterize the intersection of natural factors and anthropogenic drivers that cause dynamic change to reservoirs so that stakeholders can mitigate the hazard of induced earthquakes, threats to the surface environment, and challenges to sustainable energy development.

Center for Integrated Earth System Science

The Center for Integrated Earth System Science (CIESS) is a cooperative effort between the Jackson School of Geosciences and the Cockrell School of Engineering. The center fosters collaborative study of Earth as a coupled system with focus on land, atmosphere, water, environment, and society.

Gulf Coast Carbon Center

The Gulf Coast Carbon Center (GCCC) seeks to apply its technical and educational resources to implement geologic storage of anthropogenic carbon dioxide on an aggressive time scale with a focus in a region where large-scale reduction of atmospheric releases is needed and short term action is possible.

TexNet Seismic Monitoring Program

In its 84th and 85th legislative sessions, the Texas Legislature tasked the Bureau with helping to locate and determine the origins of earthquakes in our state and, where possibly caused by human activity, with helping to prevent earthquakes from occurring in the future. The TexNet Seismic Monitoring Program was established to accomplish these goals.

High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility

The High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility at The University of Texas at Austin (UTCT) is a national shared multi-user facility supported by the Instrumentation and Facilities Program of NSF's Earth Sciences (EAR) directorate, and also supported by NASA as a Planetary Sciences Enabling Facility. UTCT offers scientific researchers across the earth, biological and engineering sciences access to a completely nondestructive technique for visualizing features in the interior of opaque solid objects, and for obtaining digital information on their 3D geometries and properties.

Land, Environment & Atmospheric Dynamics

The LEAD group consists of graduate research assistants, postdoctoral fellows, research scientists and visiting scholars. We view the earth system in a holistic way, linking the atmosphere, ocean, biosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth as an integrated system. We use powerful methodologies such as satellite remote sensing and supercomputing simulations which are now profoundly changing research in earth system sciences. We place a strong emphasis on the societal impact of the research in earth system sciences.

Non-vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory

NPL was created in 1999 as an answer to the increasing conservation and curation issues developing with the huge increase in collection size. Collections placed in the care of TNSC mainly were derived from research at the BEG, the UTDGS and the Museum (TMM) itself. Other material came from orphaned collections within Texas. Numerous other collections have been contributed as donations. Although an exact count has never been made, the collection is estimated to contain about 4 million specimens.

Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory

The mission of the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory is three-fold, involving research, conservation, and education pertaining to the history of vertebrates. In particular, VPL focuses on the history of vertebrates in Texas and adjacent regions, but much broader studies are also conducted to establish a national and global context for Texas vertebrate history.

Affiliated UT Programs & Centers

Center for Space Research

The University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research was established in 1981 under the direction of Dr. Byron D. Tapley. The mission of the Center is to conduct research in orbit determination, space geodesy, the Earth and its environment, exploration of the solar system, as well as expanding the scientific applications of space systems data.

Environmental Science Institute

The Environmental Science Institute is a multi-disciplinary institute for basic scientific research in environmental studies founded by The University of Texas at Austin. The Institute serves as a focal point on campus for a wide scope of interdisciplinary research and teaching involving the complex interactions of the biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere in the Earth system, as well as the human dimensions of these interactions.

Texas Advanced Computing Center

The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin is one of the leading centers of computational excellence in the United States. Located on the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, the center's mission is to enable discoveries that advance science and society through the application of advanced computing technologies.

UT Austin Energy Institute

The Energy Institute has been established at the University of Texas at Austin to provide the State of Texas and the Nation guidance for sustainable energy security through the pursuit of research and education programs - good policy based on good science. The Institute will determine the areas of research and instruction in consultation with an Institute Advisory Board, faculty and staff at the University of Texas at Austin, the private energy sector, public utilities, non-governmental organizations, and the general public. The economic future of the State of Texas, and our Nation, depends upon the viability of sustainable energy resources. The mission of the Energy Institute is to provide the transformational changes through research and instruction that are required for this State's and Nation's sustainable energy security.

Climate & the Environment