Greg Easson is an experienced researcher, faculty member, and administrator with a long history of success at the University of Mississippi. He currently serves as the Interim Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development. Prior to his current position, Easson was faculty in the School of Engineering, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering and head chef for the School of Engineering’s renowned tailgating experience.
Research Interests
- Remote sensing of coastal waters
- GIS for emergency management and planning
- Sedimentary geology for oil and gas exploration
- AI methods for downscaling remotely sensed data
- Remote sensing for understanding groundwater recharge
Biography
Greg Easson, professor of geology and geological engineering, was named interim vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs in summer 2023. Since 1995, he has served as a faculty member, chair, director of the Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute, associate dean and interim dean of the School of Engineering.
Easson has extensive experience with the regulations that govern research and the dynamics of managing programs with externally generated resources. In his role, Easson leads the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, which serves and supports UM faculty, staff and students who are pursuing research or other sponsored projects funded by federal, state, local and private agencies and organizations.
Easson’s research focuses on the use of remotely sensed imagery to understand earth and environmental processes and concerns. He also researches energy resources in Mississippi to ensure wise use of the state’s resources. One of the key disaster-related activities in Easson’s career was being part of a team of volunteers from universities in Mississippi that provided geographic information system support in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Before joining the university, Easson worked for the U.S. Geological Survey and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri at Rolla. He also holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Missouri State University. He has been honored by the School of Engineering with Junior Faculty Research awards in 2002 and 2007, a Senior Faculty Research Award in 2010 and a Faculty Service Award in 2011.
Easson and his wife, Darlene, have three children, Cole, Lee and Carina, all of whom earned degrees from the University of Mississippi.
Education
B.S. Geology, Missouri State University - West Plains (1981)
M.S. Geology, Missouri University of Sci. and Tech. (1984)
Ph.D. Geological Engineering, Missouri University of Sci. and Tech. (1996)