The Energy & Geoscience Institute announces Dr. Kristie McLin as Director of Research and Science and new Principal Investigator of the Utah FORGE project. Dr. Joseph Moore transitions to an emeritus role after leading the project since its inception.
The Energy & Geoscience Institute (EGI) at the University of Utah announces that Dr. Kristie McLin has joined as a Director of Research and Science. She also serves as the new Principal Investigator of the Utah FORGE research project. Dr. Joseph Moore, who has steered the project from its inception to becoming the world’s only full-scale field laboratory to advance technologies and de-risk tools needed for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) will take on an emeritus role.
“I’m delighted to be back home at the University of Utah,” Dr. 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.” While mentored by Dr. Moore, Dr. McLin studied fluid-rock interactions in geothermal and contact metamorphic systems. 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.
Dr. Milind Deo, EGI Director, added, “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. 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, Dr. McLin served as Director of Subsurface Technology Development at ConocoPhillips. She holds a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Utah and both a Bachelor of Science in geology and a Master of Science in geochemistry from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dr. McLin enjoys the outdoors and is actively involved in Scouting America in 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 Dr. Joseph Moore about McLin’s appointment. “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.”
The heat beneath our feet flows through the earth in a complex pattern. Utah FORGE is situated in a heat reservoir that has been studied since the 1970s. In this webinar, Dr. Stuart Simmons delves into the unique geologic and geothermal resources found at Utah FORGE and the surrounding area.
What exactly are the rock types that make up the underground laboratory of Utah FORGE? In this webinar, Dr. Clay Jones describes the geology of the site and surrounding area and the findings from core and cutting analyses of deep wells!
Dr. Kristine Pankow of the University of Utah has been named the Geological Society of America’s 2025–2026 Distinguished Lecturer. Her lecture, “Utah FORGE: A Field-Scale Geothermal Laboratory,” will spotlight groundbreaking research at the world’s only dedicated site for advancing Enhanced Geothermal Systems.
