Tawnya Wilson, M.S

Current Projects

• Arizona Geothermal Data Catalog & Resource Evaluation (Co-PI)
• Carbon Utilization and Storage Partnership (CUSP): Four Corners Regional Initiative
• Southwest Regional Direct Air Capture Hub

Research Interests

• Geothermal Energy
• Carbon Capture and Geologic Storage
• Hydrogen and Gas Storage
• Subsurface Characterization
• Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, and Depositional Systems
• Science Outreach and Geoscience Communication

Biography

Tawnya is a Researcher in the Energy Geology Group, where she characterizes Arizona's subsurface resources to support the state's evolving energy and storage needs. Her work focuses on deep geothermal exploration, carbon capture and storage, CO₂ mineralization, and hydrogen and gas storage in bedded salt systems. She specializes in integrating geologic, geophysical, and borehole datasets to develop subsurface maps and models that support resource assessment and energy planning.

Prior to joining AZGS, Tawnya worked in the oil and gas industry, where she gained extensive experience in reservoir characterization, saltwater disposal management, strategic unconventional oil and gas development, and integrated subsurface analysis. In addition to conducting research, she develops competitive grant proposals, manages projects, authors technical reports & publications, and contributes to outreach efforts that support the Survey's mission. Outside of work, Tawnya enjoys hiking with her husband, son, and dogs, practicing yoga, and unwinding with a good book.

Select Publications

• Thompson, L.A., Sjolund, A., Patterson, J., Wilson, T., and Wade, J., 2026, An inventory of surficial mafic rock resources for ex-situ carbon mineralization: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 153, 104663, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2026.104663
• Gootee, B.F., Johnson, B.J., Wilson, T.C., Thompson, L.A., and Richardson, C.A., 2024, Subsurface 3D geologic mapping and modeling of the Big Sandy Valley, northwestern Arizona: Arizona Geological Survey Open File Report OFR-24-03. 
• Wilson, T.C., Thompson, L.A., Gootee, B.F., 2024. Phase I pre-feasibility study to evaluate carbon dioxide and hydrogen geologic storage potential in Harquahala basin: University of Arizona, Arizona Geological Survey, Open-File Report 24– 01, 22 p, 6 appendices, 3 plates.
• Gootee, B. F., Beers, R.L., Wilson, T.C., Mako, C. A., 2024. Geologic Map of the Duncan 7.5’ Quadrangle, Greenlee County, Arizona and Hidalgo County, New Mexico: Arizona Geological Survey Digital Geologic Maps 234, scale 1:24,000, and 7 p. text.
• Wilson, T., Handke, M., Loughry, D., Waite, L., and Lowe, B. "Regional Geologic Characterization of the Grayburg-San Andres Reservoir for Saltwater Disposal Management, Midland Basin, Texas." Paper presented at the SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Denver, Colorado, USA, July 2019. doi: https://doi.org/10.15530/urtec-2019-902