Bridget R. Scanlon

Dr. Bridget R. Scanlon is a Research Professor at The University of Texas at Austin's Bureau of Economic Geology, leading the Sustainable Water Resources Program. Her work focuses on understanding climate-driven water resource challenges, particularly droughts, floods, and overexploitation of groundwater. She employs advanced methods like GRACE satellite data, groundwater monitoring, and global modeling to assess water sustainability in major aquifers and river basins globally.

Her research integrates environmental science with policy analysis, addressing issues such as drinking water quality disparities linked to social vulnerability, groundwater depletion in agricultural regions, and the water-energy nexus in oil and gas production. She co-founded the Water Resources Podcast, exploring solutions to water crises through expert interviews.

Key research themes include climate teleconnections affecting African aquifers, Tibetan Plateau water storage threats from climate change, and innovative approaches to floodwater capture for aquifer replenishment. Her interdisciplinary work bridges geoscience, public health, and policy, emphasizing actionable solutions for water resilience.

Dr. Scanlon has collaborated on over 100 peer-reviewed publications and leads projects funded by agencies such as NASA and the USGS. She advises policymakers on sustainable water management strategies while maintaining active involvement in graduate education through research mentorship.