AUSTIN, TX The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) announces Dr. Aaron Velasco will serve the agency as RRC seismologist. Dr. Velasco is a professor of Geological Sciences and Director of Interdisciplinary Initiatives at the University of Texas - El Paso (UTEP). He will continue to serve in his capacity as an educator and researcher at UTEP.

As the RRC's seismologist, Dr. Velasco will serve on the Governor's Technical Advisory Committee for the TexNet Seismic Monitoring Program run by the University of Texas - Austin's Bureau of Economic Geology. He will also work with RRC staff in reviewing disposal well permit applications in areas of historic seismicity to ensure proper requirements are in place to prevent or minimize the potential for induced seismic activity. Additionally, Dr. Velasco will serve in an advisory capacity to the RRC on issues and policy related to seismicity and energy production in Texas.

"The Railroad Commission is considered a global leader in energy regulation, and I'm honored and humbled to serve my fellow Texans and this historic agency as RRC seismologist," Dr. Velasco said. "I share the agency's mission to protect public safety and the environment, and I will do that by putting my years of experience and research in seismology and understanding to work for Texas."

Dr. Velasco earned his Bachelor of Science in applied geophysics from the University of California - Los Angeles, in 1988 and his doctorate in geophysics from the University of California - Santa Cruz, in 1993. He has held several teaching positions at UTEP since joining the university faculty in 2002. Prior to UTEP, Dr. Velasco held several technical and research positions, including work at Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories.