Associate Professor

Department: Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences

Dr. Hernán A. Moreno is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). His recent research focuses on Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KANs) for interpretable physics discovery, AI-driven soil moisture estimation, and anomaly detection in satellite precipitation records, with applications spanning water resources, land-atmosphere interactions, and critical mineral exploration. He leads and collaborates on projects supported by NSF, NOAA, NASA, USDA, DOE, and ARO, advancing the role of explainable AI in Earth system modeling.

At UTEP, he teaches courses on Machine Learning in Geoscience, GeoAI and Advanced GIST, and AI: Geospatial Models and Technologies, fostering experiential learning and AI literacy in the geosciences. Dr. Moreno is also actively involved in curriculum innovation, outreach, and student research development, including the annual Geo-X Day competition supported by the White Award Endowment.

His broader mission is to enable responsible and transparent AI for Earth and environmental sciences, bridging data-driven discovery with physical understanding to address challenges in climate, water, and sustainability.

Other Affiliations: Electrical And Computer Engineering

Keywords of Expertise: GeoAI And Geospatial Machine Learning, Hydrology And Water Resources Modeling, Remote Sensing And UAS-Based Environmental Sensing, Explainable And Physics-Informed AI, Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KANs) And Interpretable Modeling.