Unlock Student Potential: Support Undergraduate Research
The world needs geoscientists to tackle some of the biggest issues facing society, from water to energy to natural resources. At the Jackson School of Geosciences, our researchers are investigating these issues and more while preparing the next generation of geoscientists to answer fundamental questions about how earth systems work and apply that knowledge for the lasting benefit of humankind.
What We’re Fundraising For
At the Jackson School of Geosciences, undergraduate students are encouraged to conduct research. Taking part in research helps students learn new skills, gain experience that can help with career building, and be part of a community of researchers and mentors. However, a limited number of undergraduates currently participate in research. A big reason for that is funding. Our goal is to lower the financial barrier that prevents some students from engaging in research. That means providing additional support for lab and field supplies, travel and stipends for students with financial needs.
Brooke Kopecky, B.S. ’19, is an environmental coordinator currently working at ABEI Energy, a company that generates power from renewables. From 2017 to 2019, she worked as a student research assistant in The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics climate group.
“I was part of a paleoclimate lab using isotope geochemistry to study climate,” Brooke said. “My own project investigated variability in El Niño in the Mid-Holocene, which was around six to seven thousand years ago. My research has taken me through every step in the process, from getting and analyzing data from corals to interpreting climate records and drawing conclusions.”
The skills Brooke learned as a student researcher are helping her succeed in her job as an environmental scientist.
Irineo Sanchez, B.S. ’21, conducted original research on the flow of water over the Martian surface about 3 billion years ago. Working with Assistant Professor Timothy Goudge, he analyzed images of nearly 100 river valleys in the Valles Marineris region of the Red Planet.
Irineo found evidence of surface water flow and flooding — rather than groundwater seepage, as previously suggested — in 90 percent of the features. His thesis demonstrated there was still enough water on the surface to flow 500 million years after the original formation of the main Martian river valleys.
“This project gives some very interesting, new insights into this key transition time in Mars history, showing that surface water remained available, which goes counter to a lot of past work on these features,” Goudge said. “It also shows how Irineo is dedicated and passionate about planetary research.”
Lab manager Josh O’Connell and undergrad research assistant Addison Savage monitor equipment in the UT Pressure Core Center. On the left are rows of pressure cores containing hydrate-bearing sediment samples obtained from the Gulf of Mexico in 2017.
The Geomechanics Group is a cooperative research effort at the Jackson School of Geosciences led by Professor Peter Flemings and Demian Saffer, the director of the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics. Undergraduates are a key part of this laboratory-based effort. As an undergraduate, Addison Savage, B.S. ’20, played a key role with an ongoing Department of Energy-funded project at UT Austin to study methane hydrate: icy deposits of natural gas found in the deep ocean that could serve as a potential fuel source.
”You can watch all the lectures, read all the books, and listen to all the YouTube videos you want,” Flemings said. “However, this means little without the experience of acquiring data, making a plot, and understanding all the complexities of our science. Addison was in there every day contributing to the team, but more importantly gaining a process understanding of what we do. These opportunities gave Addison the skills and the confidence to continue to make an impact.”
Today, Addison is a graduate student in the Jackson School and is involved in a multi-institutional effort to study the role of microbes in generating methane hydrate deposits in the deep-water Gulf of Mexico.
Jennifer Glass (Georgia Tech, right), Junbong Jang (USGS contractor, center), and Addison Savage (UT, left) work to sterilize equipment prior to sampling. Picture: Bill Waite
Your Impact
Research is at the core of what the Jackson School of Geosciences does. We are working to solve some of the most complex problems facing humanity and pushing the boundaries of innovation to uncover opportunities for the future.
By investing in the undergraduate research experience, you will help us prepare more students like Brooke, Irineo and Addison to take on tomorrow’s biggest challenges.
Please give today, at any level. Thank you!
Thank you to everyone for another amazing campaign! Below are some of the challenge winners for the second day of the campaign!
It’s Another Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER UT Child Development Center San Jacinto
2nd Place: WINNER Texas Crew
3rd place: WINNER UT Child Development Center Comal
Hungry Bevo Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Crew
2nd Place: WINNER UT Child Development Center San Jacinto
3rd place: WINNER Texas Women's Rugby
40 to the 40 Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Crew
2nd Place: WINNER Texas Women's Rugby
Final Countdown Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Crew
2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
3rd place: WINNER Liberal Arts Council
Longhorn Pride Social Media Challenge
1st Place: School of Nursing Area of Greatest Need $1,000 Prize
Runner Ups:
Texas Orange Jackets $250 Prize
Dell Medical School Scholarships $250 Prize
6,000 Milestone Award Winner- Texas Crew
7,000 Milestone Award Winner- Shakespeare at Winedale
8,244 Milestone Award Winner- Texas Women’s Club Lacrosse
What a day! We have a surprise tonight! Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. CST the top three colleges, schools, units, and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts will receive an additional reward.
1st Place: $1,500
2nd Place: $750
3rd Place: $250
Rally behind your favorite participating area of campus before 10 p.m!