Category: Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences

UTD’s School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is in the process of expanding its course offerings in bioinformatics and structural biology toward computational systems biology. This new and exciting, highly interdisciplinary field draws from: While systems biology is still a young field, it is increasingly and forcefully moving toward the mainstream of biomedical sciences and […]

The Department of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences (formerly Geosciences) at The University of Texas at Dallas is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Mohamed G. Abdelsalam. Dr. Abdelsalam was an esteemed geoscientist whose pioneering contributions to the understanding of African tectonics left an indelible mark. His groundbreaking work, particularly on the Saharan Metacraton, continues […]

Dr. Yvette E. Pearson, a globally-recognized leader in STEM education and research, is now an associate dean in the University’s School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) and Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science (Jonsson School). For NSM Pearson is associate dean for academic affairs and strategic initiatives and for the Jonsson School she is associate dean […]

The Department of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences and the geoscience community mourns the loss of esteemed Emeritus Professor Emile Anthony Pessagno, Jr., who passed away on May 23, 2024, in East Texas. He was 91 years old. A revered figure in the field of micropaleontology, Pessagno’s career spanned several decades, notably as a faculty member […]

By Caryn BerardiMarch 26, 2024 The Department of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences (SESS), previously named the Department of Geosciences, is driving a new vision that aligns itself with a larger purpose: understanding and safeguarding the planet’s future. The name change is just one component of a broader mission to not only better reflect the department’s […]

Reported by Molly Herring at Eos, January 4, 2024 In a study published in Communications Earth and Environment, Assistant Professor Zachary Sickmann from the Department of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences (SESS) at The University of Texas at Dallas, along with his colleagues, has unveiled a novel tool to address the escalating global demand for sand. Sand, the most […]

by Caryn Berardi Growing up in Boise, Idaho, Mia Rudin developed a strong connection to nature from a young age. When she moved to Commerce, Texas, during high school, she quickly found her stride on the basketball court. Now a successful student-athlete at UT Dallas, Rudin found a place where her passion for sports and […]

Lowell Waite, geosciences lecturer at UT Dallas, received the 2023 Distinguished Educator Award from The Southwest Section of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (SWS AAPG). Waite earned the prestigious honor for his excellence in teaching and dedication to petroleum geology education. The award is given to only one recipient annually among Texas and New Mexico geological societies.

by Carly Orewiler Dean Carl Presnall — geologist, educator and one of UT Dallas’ founding geosciences professors — died Feb. 3 from Alzheimer’s disease at 87 years old. Presnall first came to North Texas in 1967 to join the Southwest Center for Advanced Studies, which in 1969 became The University of Texas at Dallas. His […]

Comets Love Meteorites, a new class offered by the Department of Geosciences in the School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics that is out of this world, lets students get their hands on meteorites – among the oldest objects in our Solar System.  A story about the class was first featured in The Mercury, student newspaper […]

Dr. Robert Finkelman, a geoscience research professor at UT Dallas, recently received the 2022 John Castaño Honorary Membership Award from The Society of Organic Petrology [TSOP] in recognition of his “exemplary commitment to education, excellence in research and service to TSOP.” It is the highest honor the society bestows on individuals working in the fields of […]

This article first appeared in the May 2022 issue of the AAPG Explorer Geoscience education is essential to the AAPG Foundation. In fact, it’s promised right there in the Foundation’s mission statement to “support education and scientific activities in the field of geology.”  Also crucial to the Foundation: engaging and informing the general public about the […]

by Haywood McNeill Pranto Anandmaya, a UT Dallas junior majoring in geosciences and president of the GeoClub, recently completed an internship at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, where he got a behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s operations and a feel for the work involved in presenting exhibitions. The Perot Museum is […]

After a childhood often spent looking at the past, UT Dallas alumnus John Thurmond, BA’97, PhD’06, now spends much of his time gazing into the future.  Thurmond is a geoscientist serving as an advisor on emerging technology in geosciences at Hess Corporation, an independent energy company in Houston.  “I am effectively a technology scout,” Thurmond […]

UT Dallas alumna Dr. Leah Salditch MS’16 recently was awarded the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Natural Hazards Section Award for Graduate Research. Presented annually to one or more promising young scientists studying natural hazards and risks, the honor recognizes outstanding contributions to natural hazards research and is judged based on impact or potential impact to the field. […]

Professor Emeritus Carlos Lynn Virgil Aiken passed away peacefully on June 18, 2021 at Medical City Plano. Carlos was born on June 6, 1941 in Webster, South Dakota, to Randolfo Cossio Aiken and Elvira Esturo. He served in the National Guard in 1957. Carlos received his bachelor’s of science from the University of Washington in […]

Dr. David Lumley, the Cecil and Ida Green Chair in Geophysics, now is head of the Department of Geosciences, it was announced this month. He joined UT Dallas in spring 2017 as a tenured, full professor of geophysics and is appointed to geosciences and is jointly affiliated with physics.  Lumley intends to rebuild geosciences with a […]

Thanks to the generosity of alumni, faculty, and community supporters, UTD Geosciences is able to offer scholarships to our students. In spring 2021 we awarded a total of $21,250 to 23 of our undergraduate and graduate students. Twelve undergraduates were awarded scholarships. Pranto Anandma, Carla Lara, Caroline Lonneman, Takara Leornas, Lysandra Real, and Cara Williams […]

Undergraduate students in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics will continue their educational pursuits this summer while gaining valuable hands-on research experience. The Department of Geosciences provides opportunities for field course work at geological sites in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico in two, 3-credit courses: Introductory Field Geology (GEOS 3300) and Advanced Field Geology (GEOS 4300). […]

The Department of Geosciences at UTD is pleased to provide limited scholarship/fellowship support to its students (for example, graduate students receiving stipend support through Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant positions).   Every spring, undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled and in good academic standing are encouraged to apply.  The intent of this financial support is to […]

Instead of arrows, Cupid delivered a very cold shot of air Valentine’s Day 2021, which may go down as one of the coldest in history. A polar vortex (a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles) arrived, plunging Texas temperatures that day from a high of 22 degrees […]

Ever the hostess, Mrs. Margie Rutford can list hospitality as one of her gifts. As wife of the late former University President Robert Rutford, it was her job to host and entertain guests. “In those days, the University, or UT System, provided presidents with a residence. The UT Dallas president’s house was off Hillcrest in […]

Following a national search, Dr. David Hyndman has been hired and takes the helm as dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics effective Feb. 1.  Dr. Hyndman’s research and service are known internationally. His group’s research on hydrogeology evaluates human impacts on the water cycle through changes in climate and land use. Dr. […]

They call him greedy, but he still wants more. More interest and learning about our home planet from you, John Q. Public. UT Dallas geosciences professor Dr. Robert Stern, who has taught students about the Earth’s dynamic crust for nearly 40 years, is using 21st century tools to teach more people about the Earth and employing […]

by Christina Pugliese Two new endowments to support the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics will honor the legacy of Colton William Roberts, a former student in the school who was tragically killed by a driver under the influence days before the beginning of his junior year. Established by members of Colton’s family, the Colton […]

By Robert Stern Bob Rutford was a remarkable leader in many aspects of life, including at UT Dallas and in the Department of Geosciences.  Robert Hoxie Rutford, son of longtime University of Minnesota College of Agriculture faculty member Skuli Rutford, grew up in St. Anthony Park next to the St. Paul campus. His family is of Icelandic […]