Hydrogeology/Glaciology
The Jackson School has a long tradition of leadership in fundamental and applied studies of liquid and solid water. Our research addresses broad questions such as: How is water distributed and routed through the Earth’s surface and subsurface? What are the impacts of human activities on water resource availability and quality? How are different components of the Earth system including the biosphere linked, and what is the role of water in these linkages? How will the hydrosphere and cryosphere respond to climate change? Researchers use complementary high-performance computing, laboratory experiments and measurements, and intensive field work in order to address these questions.
Hydrogeologists and hydrologists in the Jackson School have expertise in aqueous and microbial geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, physical hydrogeology, surface water hydrology, vadose zone hydrology, ecohydrology, and hydrogeophysics. Glaciologists in the Jackson School have expertise in ice sheet evolution and dynamics, supra-, sub- and englacial hydraulic systems, and the geologic setting of ice sheets.
Jackson School researchers and students are currently investigating hydrogeologic and glacial processes around the world. Some of our studies are conducted in Greenland, Antarctica, the Pacific Islands, Australia, Mexico, Chile, Switzerland, Egypt, and China, in addition to studying the hydrogeology of Austin’s interesting karst landscape and other parts of Texas. Some researchers also study ice sheets and potential water flow paths on Mars and Europa.
Faculty
 | Daniel S AlessiEnvironmental and aqueous geochemistry, thermodynamics, surface complexation modeling, geomicrobiology, critical minerals, chemical hydrogeology |
 | Jay L BannerIsotopic methods, sustainability, groundwater, oceans, ancient oceans, climate change, aquifers, caves, environmental science, geochemistry, paleoclimatology, urbanization, environmental justice, community-engaged research |
 | M. Bayani CardenasHydrology and Hydrogeology |
 | Ginny Cataniahydrology, Stratigraphy, glaciology, Antarctica |
 | Shujuan MaoEnvironmental seismology, Hydrogeophysics, Geothermal energy, Carbon sequestration, Critical-zone processes, Time-lapse imaging, Ambient seismic field, 4D seismology |
 | Ashley M MathenyEcohydrology, Bio- and Micro-meteorology, Vegetation Hydrodynamics, Watershed Hydrology, Land-Atmosphere Interactions, Biogeochemistry, Water and Carbon Cycles, Modeling |
 | Daniella M RempeHydrology, Geomorphology, Ecohydrology, Catchment Hydrology, Near-surface Geophysics, Hydrogeology |
 | Demian M SafferActive tectonics, fault/sediment mechanics, geohydrology. |
 | Timothy M ShanahanClimate Variability, climate change, paleoclimatology, geochemistry, sedimentology, environmental science |
Research Faculty
Hassan DashtianSoil Moisture | |
 | Marcus GaryKarst Hydrogeology |
 | Susan D HovorkaCarbon Sequestration, sedimentology, hydrogeology |
 | Jean NicotSubsurface hydrology, Mathematical geology, geostatistics, inverse modeling, optimization, hydrology, numerical modeling, geochemistry |
 | Jeffrey G Painecoastal geology, Quaternary geology and geomorphology, Geophysics, hydrogeology, Geomorphology |
 | Sheng PengMulti-scale pore system characterization; Fluid flow in porous media; Unconventional reservoir |
 | Katherine D Romanakgeochemistry, CO2 sequestration |
 | Bridget R ScanlonClimate Variability, numerical models |
Justin C Thompson | |
 | Kehua YouCarbon cycle, Methane Hydrate, Hydrogeology, Flow and Transport in Porous Media, Analytical and Numerical Modeling |
 | Duncan A Youngremote sensing, glaciology, tectonics |
 | Michael H Young |
Lecturers
| Marcus GaryKarst Hydrogeology |
 | Kenneth W WisianGeothermal Geophysics, SETI, Exoplanets, Space Exploration, Disaster Response, Recovery & Resiliency, Military Technology Applications, International Affairs, Innovation, Curriculum Development |
Research Scientists
| Kenneth W WisianGeothermal Geophysics, SETI, Exoplanets, Space Exploration, Disaster Response, Recovery & Resiliency, Military Technology Applications, International Affairs, Innovation, Curriculum Development |
Research Staff
 | Seyyed Abolfazl HosseiniCO2 sequestration, reservoir simulation |
 | Kutalmis Saylamremote sensing, lidar, sea ice, marine geophysics, hydrology, lidar bathymetry |
Emeriti
 | Philip C BennettAqueous geochemistry, geomicrobiology, environmental and microbial geochemistry, hydrogeology |
 | John M Sharp, JrHyrdogeology, flow in fractured rocks, thermohaline free convection, fracture skin effects, effects of urbanization, alluvial aquifers, hydrogeology of sedimentary basins, hydrogeophysics, hydrology, hydrogeology |
Graduate Students
 | Jonathan P AmendolaGeomorphology |
 | Nicole FerriePaleoclimate, earthquakes, Metamorphic petrology |
 | Malachi Glover |
 | Bella F Graynumerical modeling, machine learning, hydrology, Sediment Transport |
 | Alexander Janelleclimate change, trace element, Geochronology |
 | Mielle Lee |
Adam Lucas | |
Neelarun Mukherjeeglobal warming | |
William Nguyen | |
 | Owen SeinerIce-sheet climate modeling, glaciology, sub-glacial hydrology, glacial dynamics, past warm periods, Antarctica, Greenland |
Shivangini Singh | |
 | Casey Vigilianumerical models |
 | Koutian Wuhydrology |
Carbon Cycle in Arctic PermafrostGraduateI 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 TransitionGraduateMy 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 |
Community-Based Research Program, BRIDGES: Building Resilience via Interdisciplinary Design, Geoscience, and Community-Engaged Solutions (Undergraduate)GraduateBRIDGES 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 UndergraduatesUndergraduateThis 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 UndergraduatesUndergraduateThis 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 |
Urbanization and water resources (NSF Hydrologic Sciences Program)GraduateOur 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 CO2GraduateGulf 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. |
Stable isotopes as hydroclimatic indicatorsUndergraduateI 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 MountainsUndergraduateI 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 Integrated Earth System ScienceThe 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. |
Center for Planetary Systems HabitabilityThe Center for Planetary Systems Habitability is an interdisciplinary research center at UT and is the result of a partnership between the Jackson School, the College of Natural Sciences, and the Cockrell School of Engineering. The center advances our ability to search for life on other planets by collaborating on research that helps better understand where habitable zones develop and how they evolve within planetary systems. |
Land, Environment & Atmospheric DynamicsThe 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. |
Affiliated UT Programs & Centers
Center for Space ResearchThe 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 InstituteThe 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. |
Research Groups
ENCOMPASS: Research for Earth-Society Systems |