The purpose of GEELO is to educate the student body on topics that may not be fully expressed in other student organizations, and  to also connect members to career contacts. GEELO will hold bi-monthly lectures and events, which will focus on the following areas:
     

1. Energy Mitigation/ Energy Return on Energy Invested/ Peak Oil, Gas, Coal, Uranium
      2. Hydrology/ Groundwater Processes
      3. Climatic Changes and Implications on the World/ Sustainability/ Paleoclimate Research
      4. Future Job/Internship Opportunities for Undergraduates
      5. Linking Science and Policy​
 

UT professors and academics will give presentations on these specific topics and (if applicable) will discuss how their research is pertinent.  Films will be screened on campus on relevant topics.  The ESI department will be invited to join into GEELO events in order to build alliances and camaraderie in these fields of earth sciences. 

Current GEELO Leaders

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Nathan van Oort     

Co-founder      

​I helped co-found GEELO because I felt that there was a need for a student group like this that discussed controversial issues such as water, energy, climate, and the environment. As a student I realize that we, the student body, are the future leaders of this world. If we aren't voicing out and discussing problems that are going to affect us in the near future, then we are basically annihilating a sustainable world for generations to come... As for a career I am going to continue pursuing academia, and I hope one day to be a climate scientist who's involved with US energy mitigation. 

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Heather Christensen

Co-founder

I am in my last semester of a B.S. in Hydrogeology at the Jackson School and I helped to co-found GEELO at the start of my senior year. I believe in propagating lasting change through the spread of ideas and knowledge, and that UT is the perfect place to do that. I'm pursuing a career water resources  and sustainability, biomimetic solutions, and urban hydrology throughout Texas and South America.

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​Kendra Bones

Co-founder

Kendra is a senior in Environmental Science, B.S. A native Texan, she focuses on Geographical Sciences and has organized with other groups in Austin such as The Inter-Cooperative Council, The University Outdoor Adventure Program, and The Amala Foundation. Kendra is currently working with a Biomimicry Design Team on a condensation collection system, and plans to travel through Chile, Argentina, and Brazil after graduation working on large river restoration sites.

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​Lizzy McKinnon

Co-founder

I'm currently a junior studying Geology and Portuguese. I'm a volunteer for SEEK, an avid cook, and a bicycle enthusiast. I have been concerned with our energy consumption and its environmental ramifications since I was young and hope to spread the word of new innovations and challenges in the energy sector to fellow academics.  

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​Ian Rogers

Co-founder

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Landon Klein

Geographical Sciences Delegate

​My name is Landon Kyle Klein. I was born and raised in Texas, moving from the northern plains to the hill country in 2006. I am a senior at UT currently trying to finish my degrees in German and Geography (earth science track). My interests pertain to learn more in the fields of GIS, geomorphology and conservation. GEELO has been a great way of exposing me to issues concerning our energy use as we continue to grow and develop this big planet of ours and issues of how climate change impacts us daily and in the future. I’ve always believed in working with our planet instead of against it, I feel like GEELO embodies this well.

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Colin Mitchell

Political Science Delegate

Ayoo! I’m Colin Mitchell. I’m a Texas Hill Country native who is graduating in May 2013 with a degree in Government and a minor in Geography. Planning on going to law school after graduation to pursue a career in environmental or natural resource law. GEELO is great because it brings students from different disciplines together to discuss current events and issues and the future in the fields of geology, energy and the environment. I joined to get a deeper understanding of the scientific and cultural aspects of geology, energy, and the environment, and I look to bring discussion about the governmental policies, laws, and politics that influence these fields.

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Emma Heitmann

Environmental Sciences Delegate

I am an environmental science major in the Jackson School of Geosciences, and became involved in GEELO my first year at UT. Within GEELO, my officer duty includes delegate for environmental science. I am interested in a career working towards global sustainability. I am from Houston, TX, and my favorite place in Austin is Barton Springs.

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Barbara Wortham

Environmental Sciences Delegate

Barbara Wortham is a senior undergraduate Environmental Science in Geological Sciences major at UT Austin. She does research with Dr. Jay Banner on paleoclimate proxies in order to better build climate models. She is mainly interested in science education and outreach (including energy and sustainability) and hopes to eventually pursue a career in this field. 

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Robert Ezzell

Engineering Delegate

​My name is Robert Ezzell. I am studying chemical engineering. My favorite movie is Jurassic Park and I want to get into the organ growing business. I love to bike (on a bicycle) in the rain and take long life altering journey to the sun. And I want to help make this Earth livable as long as possible!

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Nathan Christianson

GEELO Leader

I'm in my second-to-last semester here at UT finishing up a Geography degree and getting my minor in Geology. I am interested in food system sustainability and organic farming. Currently I am doing research into UT's own food system and hope to propose a model farm that could provide all of the vegetables consumed in on-campus dining facilities. I also like soils and running (jogging). After graduation I plan to continue learning about sustainable farming practices and one day start my own farm in order to provide delicious things for local restaurants and my community.

 

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Will Kelley

Business School Delegate

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I am a senior studying Marketing at the Mccomb's School of Business. I'm a native Austinite and I love camping, hiking, and basically anything about nature and being outside. Today, I think many of us are too wrapped up in our phones or behind computer screens and aren't really living in the real world. As a business student, I know how easy it is to take the environment for grandted in the corporate world, and I think that GEELO is a perfect vehicle to raise awareness on the importance of sustainability. So turn off the power, go outside, and say hi to someone! 

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If you are interested in becoming a GEELO leader for the 2013-2014 school year, contact us with your name, what you want to be involved in, and why