Kristie McLin, a petroleum industry geologist, has joined the University of Utah’s Energy & Geoscience Institute (EGI) as director of research and science. In this new role, she will also take the helm at Utah FORGE as principal investigator on the geothermal research project, succeeding the retiring Joseph Moore.
Moore has steered the Department of Energy-funded Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy, or Utah FORGE, from its inception outside Milford, Utah, to become the world’s only full-scale field laboratory to advance technologies and de-risk tools needed for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS).
“I’m delighted to be back home at the University of Utah,” McLin said. “I earned my Ph.D. here under Dr. Moore, and I’ve benefited first-hand from his vision and dedication. The geothermal efforts he has led at EGI are advancing not just Utah FORGE, but the industry in general. This is an exciting time to be so deeply involved with geothermal energy.”
As a graduate student, McLin studied fluid-rock interactions in geothermal and contact metamorphic systems under Moore’s mentorship. Since then, the two have collaborated on various projects, including an analysis of fluid boiling effects on scale mineralogy and geochemistry of the vapor and liquid phase at the Dixie Valley geothermal field.
“We are so pleased to have Dr. McLin join our team. She is a welcome addition to our already deep bench of researchers and scientists,” said Milind Deo, EGI Director. “I’m excited to see her advance our geothermal expertise and the Utah FORGE project to the next level. We are also grateful for everything Dr. Moore has done for EGI over the past 30 years, and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
Prior to joining EGI, McLin served as director of Subsurface Technology Development at ConocoPhillips. She holds a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Utah. Hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, McLin enjoys the outdoors and is actively involved in Scouting America with her family. She currently serves as a crew committee chair in the Venturing program. She credits her own outdoor adventures as a scout to sparking her desire to become a geologist.
“I cannot think of a better candidate to take over the reins of Utah FORGE,” said Moore, who remains on the project in an emeritus capacity. “She was a brilliant student and has enjoyed an impressive and successful career, making her exceptionally suited for this position. As I step away from the everyday activities involved with running this project, I am pleased to know it is in such good hands.”