Yongli Gao, PhD

Amy Shelton and V.H. McNutt Distinguished Professorship in Geology

Professor, Earth and Planetary Sciences

Yongli Gao is an internationally recognized hydrogeologist and geochemist whose research integrates karst hydrogeology, paleoclimate reconstruction, contaminant transport and geospatial science to address critical challenges in water security and environmental sustainability. His work advances understanding of hydrological cycles, aquifer vulnerability and hydroclimate variability across spatial and temporal scales—from polar regions to subtropical aquifers.

Gao’s research is organized around four major themes:

• Hydrological cycles and hydroclimate variability — Reconstructing speleothem-based paleoclimate records across North America, Asia and Central America, and investigating isotope proxies of precipitation in polar regions and extreme weather events.

• Ecohydrology and contaminant transport — Modeling PFAS, nitrate and nutrient cycling in vulnerable karst aquifers and watersheds.

• Geohazards and risk forecasting — Developing machine learning models to assess sinkhole hazards and aquifer vulnerability.

• Isotope geochemistry of natural gas and hydrogen — Applying numerical and quantum chemical approaches to unravel the geologic history of gas generation.
  

Gao has established and led multi-institutional research initiatives with partners across the United States, Australia, France, Germany and Singapore. His work has produced novel tracer models, record-length speleothem paleoclimate records, and PFAS monitoring and remediation strategies with significant implications for water resource management and climate science.

As an educator, Gao has developed innovative courses—including Scientific Methods in Geosciences and Research Design—to prepare students for advanced coursework, research and professional pathways. His teaching emphasizes field-based learning, data integration, and interdisciplinary problem solving. He has mentored numerous undergraduate, MS and PhD students who have gone on to leadership roles in academia, government and industry.

Gao earned his PhD in Geology and MS in Computer Science from University of Minnesota, and his MS in Geochemistry and BS in Geology from Peking University. Before joining UT San Antonio in 2012, he was a faculty member at East Tennessee State University. His research has been published in leading journals in hydrology, geochemistry and climate science, and has been supported by numerous competitive federal, state and foundation awards.