Michael J. Pyrcz

Michael J. Pyrcz is a professor at The University of Texas at Austin, with joint appointments in the Cockrell School of Engineering and the Jackson School of Geosciences. He leads the DiReCT Consortium (Digital Reservoir Characterization Technology), which focuses on integrating geostatistics, machine learning, and data analytics into subsurface reservoir characterization to optimize resource management and improve decision-making under uncertainty.

Pyrcz’s research emphasizes enhancing spatial subsurface modeling through advanced data science methods, including geostatistics and machine learning, to improve resource extraction and minimize environmental impacts. He and his students develop workflows that integrate engineering and geoscience data, account for spatiotemporal aspects, address scaling issues, and quantify uncertainty to support optimal decisions.

A dedicated educator, Pyrcz shares his educational content online through “GeostatsGuy Lectures,” providing access to cutting-edge knowledge worldwide. With over 60 peer-reviewed publications and coauthorship of Geostatistical Reservoir Modeling, he has significantly influenced geostatistics and subsurface analytics.

His work has earned him honors such as the SPE Gulf Coast Section Regional Data Science and Engineering Analytics Award (2021) and recognition as a Distinguished Lecturer by IAMG (2024). His teaching, research, and outreach drive innovation in sustainable resource management and data science integration in geosciences.