Scott Jasechko

Scott Jasechko is an Associate Professor at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara. His expertise lies in hydrology, water resources, and groundwater dynamics. He holds a PhD from the University of New Mexico, an MS from the University of Waterloo, and a BS from the University of Victoria. Before joining UCSB in 2017, he served as faculty at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Jasechko’s research focuses on leveraging large datasets to understand global water systems, with a particular emphasis on preserving water quality and sustaining groundwater resources. His work highlights critical issues such as groundwater depletion, climate change impacts, and sustainable water management strategies. He teaches courses including ESM 203 (Earth System Science), ESM 226 (Groundwater Management), and ESM 235 (Watershed Analysis).

His research has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Horton Hydrology Research Award (2013), Young Scientist Award (2016), and Kohout Early Career Award (2018). Current research includes a postdoctoral researcher investigating groundwater resources. Dr. Jasechko’s studies address pressing challenges such as aquifer depressurization, orphaned oil well risks, and the interplay between irrigation and Earth system processes.

His lab’s findings emphasize global groundwater’s role in sustaining river flows, the vulnerability of modern aquifers to overuse, and the need for adaptive policies to mitigate water scarcity. Collaborative efforts span environmental monitoring, policy development, and interdisciplinary solutions to water resource challenges.