Kitty L Milliken

Kitty L Milliken serves as a Senior Research Scientist at the Bureau of Economic Geology within the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin.

Her research integrates petrographic and geochemical methodologies to investigate chemical and mechanical modification histories in sedimentary rocks, with current emphasis on mudrocks. She employs advanced electron microbeam techniques including X-ray mapping, cathodoluminescence imaging, and electron probe microanalysis for micro-scale reservoir characterization.

Current research initiatives include:

• Shell-UT Unconventionals Research (SUTUR): Quantitative Analysis of High-resolution SEM Images for Mudrock Characterization
• Shell-UT Unconventionals Research (SUTUR): Integrated Geochemistry and Petrography Study of Oil Storage and Migration in the Eagle Ford Formation
• Chevron Project: X-ray mapping and CL imaging applications for gas shale characterization

She has mentored multiple graduate students through committee service and direct supervision, including Junwen Peng (Ph.D., 2021), Kelsi Ustipak (M.S., 2015), and Suzan Ergene (M.S., 2014). Her teaching portfolio features advanced courses in siliciclastic petrology and specialized research seminars.