Mark D. Zoback is a world leader in understanding the state of stress in the Earth’s crust and fault mechanics, which form the scientific foundation for virtually every major energy and environmental challenge facing society today. Currently the Benjamin M. Page Professor of Earth Sciences and Professor of Geophysics Emeritus at Stanford University, Mark also founded and directed the Stanford Natural Gas Initiative, founded and co-directed the Stanford Center for Induced and Triggered Seismicity, and held other leadership roles during his long tenure.

Mark earned his bachelor’s in geophysics from the University of Arizona, and he credits the university for launching his lifelong passion for geoscience. He went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees at Stanford. As a Stanford faculty member, his leadership extended beyond the classroom: He chaired the Department of Geophysics and the Faculty Senate, and he mentored generations of scientists and engineers.

Mark previously held senior roles at the U.S. Geological Survey and led international scientific drilling projects. He also has advised numerous state, national and international energy and environmental bodies. A member of the National Academy of Engineering, Mark has received multiple top honors in the geosciences. He also has demonstrated over 40 years of philanthropic support and service to the U of A, including impactful contributions as a longtime member of the Geosciences Advisory Board.

For his scientific leadership, his scholarly contributions and his dedication to the university and the college, the University of Arizona is honored to name Mark D. Zoback the 2026 Alumnus of the Year for the College of Science.

Dr. Duncan Buell graduated from the University of Arizona in 1971 with a bachelor’s in mathematics, continuing a family legacy of U of A alumni that began in the early 1900s. 

Dr. Buell finished his doctorate in mathematics at the University of Illinois Chicago in 1976 and taught at Carleton University in Ontario and Bowling Green State University, eventually earning tenure at Louisiana State University in 1982. In 1986, he moved to the new National Security Agency-sponsored Supercomputing Research Center in Maryland. Among other things, he managed the build of a novel computer now standard in high-end computers. He was part of a team receiving a Meritorious Unit Citation from DCI George Tenet for “the largest single computation in the history of the U. S. intelligence community.”

In 2000, Dr. Buell moved to the University of South Carolina, serving nine years as department chair in computer science and a year as interim dean. In 2013, he was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Buell’s research has been in applications of computing: number theory, cryptography, information retrieval, digital humanities and election data analysis. In 2016, Dr. Buell founded the Duncan Buell Everything is Mathematics Public Lecture Series Endowment to promote public engagement with mathematics. The series is designed to captivate non-expert audiences, highlighting the relevance and beauty of mathematics in everyday lives.

Dr. Brinton is one of the university’s most distinguished research leaders as she is a Regents Professor of pharmacology, neurology, psychology, neuroscience, and pharmacology and toxicology. She also is the director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science and holds appointments in the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, the Neuroscience Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, the BIO5 Institute and Clinical Translational Sciences.

Her research on Alzheimer’s disease has led to critical insights into the causes of the disease as well as cutting-edge therapeutics to treat it. At the Center for Innovation in Brain Science, she leads an innovative hybrid academic/biotech research ecosystem that supports multiple levels of research.

Although her extensive research achievements alone make her an internationally recognized leader in the field, Dr, Brinton also is a leader in training the next generation of scientists — both at the university, as an educator, trainer and mentor, and beyond, through her professional leadership in national organizations.

In a career at the University of Arizona spanning over 30 years, Edgar J. McCullough Jr. made fundamental changes to the university’s approach to science education, transformed the geology program into a top-ranked program in geosciences and served as dean of the newly formed College of Science. Read more about Dr. McCullough and meet all the awardees here.

Scientist with an impressive career as an educator and in research with a commitment to investigating environmental health factors and servicing underrepresented populations.

Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/MaNmTXHk6Ok

Globally recognized and top planetary scientist with leadership roles in the planetary science community.

Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/YowkNa_Hp90

Accomplished physicist with a remarkable career influencing space and aviation. A pioneer in mapping the moon.

Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/lu30sEdxVMI

Internationally recognized researcher making significant strides in parasite biology and working to improve health on a global scale.

Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/NwrnSjEs2F4

Recognized leader in astronomy who currently is the executive officer of the American Astronomical Society.

Alumni Association Youtube video: https://youtu.be/Q7SoWIThiXo

Clinical and Forensic Psychologist.

Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/7son-eba6VU

Prominent experimentalist in nuclear physics.

Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/wWhAbyuIPdM

UA News Article: https://news.arizona.edu/blog/science-alumnus-year-kenneth-krane

Organic chemist who spent 35 years at 3M Company in a variety of chemistry, engineering and management positions.

Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/s-a4ZCOUxaA

Known world-wide for his work on lightning and thunderstorm electricity. 

NASA Astronaut has logged a total of 306 days in space on three missions. 
UA News Article: https://news.arizona.edu/story/space-bound-astronaut-is-a-ua-alum

Geophysicist.

Specializes in industrial development and was instrumental in the development of the UA Science and Technology Park.

Had a 36 year career with worldwide responsibility for all Geoscience in ExxonMobil Development Company.