For Rasoul Sorkhabi, CvEEN research professor at the University of Utah’s Energy & Geoscience Institute, 2026 marked a banner year—bringing significant professional recognition and new opportunities to share his expertise in subsurface geoscience, petroleum basins, the evolution of geoscience, and the societal importance of geoscience.

In April, the Petroleum History Institute presented Sorkhabi with its William Brice Education Award, recognizing his lifetime contributions to professional education. He received the award during the institute’s 2026 symposium in Bakersfield, California. It was his second major honor from the organization: In 2018, he received its Distinguished Service Award for organizing the institute’s symposium in Salt Lake City and serving as co-editor of Oil-Industry History from 2014 to 2018.

Sorkhabi received another of his field’s notable distinctions when the American Association of Petroleum Geologists named him a 2027 AAPG Honorary Member. The award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves through service and devotion to AAPG, geoscience and the profession. Sorkhabi was honored during the IMAGE ’26 conference in Houston for his broad contributions to petroleum basin research, the history of geology and geoscience education.

At IMAGE—the International Meeting for Applied Geoscience & Energy—Sorkhabi also delivered three presentations spanning the history of petroleum-system science, the petroleum source-rock geology of the Permian Basin and the role of astrogeology in popularizing science. Sorkhabi also co-chaired a special session exploring the science and potential development of mineral resources on the Moon, Mars and asteroids.

From studying resources beneath the Earth’s surface to considering exploration beyond it, Sorkhabi approaches geoscience through a broad lens of empirical and analytic data—one that connects scientific inquiry with its effects on people, communities and society.

Science in Service to Society

Notably, Sorkhabi’s contributions to geoscience and geological engineering extend well beyond conference halls and journal pages. In June, Sorkhabi joined an AAPG Academy webinar examining petroleum superbasins worldwide—the highly productive sedimentary systems that have influenced economies, technology and global energy markets. In August, he returned to Titusville, Pennsylvania, known as the birthplace of the modern oil industry, as the featured speaker for the Drake Day festival. His presentation explored the life and work of American petroleum historian Paul Giddens and drew upon Sorkhabi’s recent scholarship in Oilfield Journal and Oil-Industry History.

Throughout the year, Sorkhabi also advocated for the value of geoscience in addressing public challenges. His article “The Value of Geoscience,” published in the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists’ Outcrop, considered current pressures facing the scientific community and offered practical ideas for strengthening the field. He edits a bimonthly news bulletin called Core Elements, reviewing some the latest developments in the interface of geoscience and energy resources – published by the AAPG as a free service for the public.

“Geoscience studies and scientific collaboration play a critical role in mitigating casualties and damages,” said Sorkhabi.

The societal importance of Sorkhabi’s work came into especially sharp focus following the catastrophic August 2026 flooding in Nepal. Drawing upon his doctoral and postdoctoral research in the Himalayas, Sorkhabi authored the AAPG special report “A Disaster of Himalayan Proportions.” In it, he examined the interconnected geological processes behind the disaster while translating a complex sequence of slope failure, glacial collapse and flooding for a broader audience. He also emphasized how scientific collaboration, early-warning systems and reliable science communication can help communities better understand natural hazards and reduce future loss of life.

Together, these accomplishments reflect the breadth of Sorkhabi’s work: advancing subsurface energy research, understanding earth-system processes, preserving the history of geoscience knowledge and skillsets, educating fellow professionals and helping the public understand how Earth science shapes—and can serve and help protect—communities around the world.