Jesse Kelsch, Ph.D.

Research Scientist,
Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water

Assistant Professor of Geology
Sul Ross State University

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Dr. Jesse Kelsch is a Research Scientist at the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water and an Assistant Professor of Geology at Sul Ross State University. She brings a unique combination of professional hydrogeology experience and academic expertise in structural geology to her work on groundwater systems in the Trans-Pecos.

Before joining Sul Ross, Kelsch worked as a professional hydrogeologist in New Mexico, overseeing well drilling projects and collaborating closely with water-well drillers, engineers, and field crews. These experiences shaped her practical understanding of groundwater systems and continue to inform her applied research approach.

Kelsch earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2023. Her research focuses on structural geology—the patterns and processes that shape rock deformation—and how those structures influence groundwater movement. By integrating hydrogeology with analyses of faults and fractures, her work seeks to better predict aquifer permeability, groundwater storage, and flow paths in complex subsurface environments.

Her research spans both regional and local scales, helping clarify how water moves through the fractured rock systems characteristic of the Trans-Pecos. In addition to her research, Kelsch is an active public educator, frequently giving talks and lectures about regional geology and landscapes.

Through her work at the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water, Kelsch contributes critical insight into the geologic controls that govern desert groundwater systems.