Adding another layer of expertise to the pursuit of energy security, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center has announced a new partnership with the Jackson School of Geosciences. This collaboration further expands the unparalleled resources available to students, researchers, and industry thought leaders contributing to energy solutions at The University of Texas at Austin.
“Texas leads the way in energy innovation, excelling in both traditional oil and gas and renewable sources such as wind and solar,” former Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said. “This collaboration with UT’s Jackson School of Geosciences reinforces the KBH Energy Center’s dedication to an all-inclusive energy strategy and an interdisciplinary approach to developing future energy leaders in Texas, across the nation, and beyond.”
The center’s interdisciplinary approach also encompasses UT’s McCombs School of Business, Texas Law, and, announced last year, the Cockrell School of Engineering.
The Jackson School’s programs consistently rank in U.S. News & World Report’s Top 10 at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Jackson School combines three world-class integrated units that offer an unparalleled depth and breadth of geoscience educational and research opportunities found at no other geosciences institution. From expanding our energy options to predicting and building resilience to climate change, natural hazards and drought, Jackson School geoscientists are working to address society’s greatest challenges.
Jackson School Dean Claudia Mora — an internationally recognized researcher who previously held leadership positions at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Los Alamos National Laboratory — said the partnership is well aligned with the school’s mission.
“The KBH Center is renowned for fostering collaboration among energy professionals, scholars, and government leaders,” she said. “It’s the perfect environment for our students to learn, connect, and grow into the energy leaders of the future.”
The center also announces a new executive director, Jack Balagia, former vice president and general counsel of Exxon Mobil Corp. “The KBH Energy Center will continue its strong student focus, opening doors for those pursuing energy careers by providing mentors, internships and networking opportunities,” Balagia said.
New geoscience-focused experts will be added to the center’s leadership, including Academic Director Fred Beach, who serves as director for the Jackson School’s Energy and Earth Resources graduate program. Beach has held numerous roles in energy and technology research, development, management and policy at UT.
Lorena Moscardelli, a research associate professor and principal investigator at the Bureau of Economic Geology, will join the center as the Geosciences Executive Council co-chair. Moscardelli invests her expertise in the ongoing energy resource transition.
“With our unique union of UT’s schools of law, business, engineering, and geoscience, the KBH Energy Center brings together these many disciplines to enhance the student energy learning experience and to help the university remain the best energy research institution in the country,” Balagia said.
Story by Alexis Brubaker
