From a chance discovery in Shoal Creek to one of the museum’s most remarkable fossils—meet the Shoal Creek Plesiosaur. 🌊
Discovered in 1990 by a local dentist and his son while searching for shark teeth, this ancient marine reptile was carefully excavated by a team of paleontologists led by our museum.
Unlike many fossils found scattered apart, this skeleton remains articulated in the surrounding rock matrix, preserving important clues about how the animal looked and moved through the ancient seas of Texas.
See the Shoal Creek Plesiosaur and more at Texas Science & Natural History Museum, on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin.
#FossilFriday #ShoalCreekPlesiosaur #Plesiosaur #TexasPaleontology #TexasFossils #NaturalHistory #AncientTexas #UTAustin
Congratulations to all of our 2026 College of Natural Sciences graduates, we couldn’t be prouder of you!
We had a magnificent time today celebrating the end of this chapter in your journey of discovery. We can’t wait to see what comes next. Now go change the world!
Know someone who missed the event? You can find recordings of both ceremonies using the link in our @TexasScience bio.
You can also find even more photos on our Facebook post (link in bio).
#CNSGrad26 #UTGrad26 #UT26 #CNSGrad #TexasScience #WhatStartsHere
@UTAustinTX@McDonald_Observatory@TexasBiodiversityCenter@UT_Neuroscience@UT_Physics@UTAustinFashion@UTAustinSHE@UTCompSci@UTexasNutrition@UTMarineSci
Need to know where to park for the College of Natural Sciences Graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 8 at @MoodyCenterATX ? We’ve got you covered 🚗
There are several free lots, as well as designated ADA parking and drop-off for our guests with mobility needs.
You can find all the parking info, including an up-to-date parking map, using the link in our @TexasScience bio.
* Note there were some recent changes. This updated version of the map has you covered.
#CNSGrad26 #UTGrad26 #UT26 #CNSGrad #TexasScience
Going to the 2026 Texas Science Graduation Ceremony on May 8 and need a program?
Whether you’re attending our graduation ceremonies in person or watching the livestreams on our YouTube channel, the ceremony program lets you know what’s happening when and who is who. You can find our digital program at txsci.net/gradprogram or by using the link in our @TexasScience bio.
To reduce paper waste, this year’s program is being offered digitally. If you prefer a hard copy, download and print the PDF version using the button located at the top of the program page.
Have friends and family who are unable to attend? They can watch live on our YouTube channel (youtube.com/@TexasScience ) using the links in the @TexasScience bio.
Congratulations to our 2026 graduates! We can’t wait to see how you’ll change the world in the years ahead 🤘
#CNSGrad26 #UTGrad26 #UT26 #CNSGrad #TexasScience
Meet our 2026 Graduation Speakers 🎓
James P. Allison— a world-renowned pioneer of cancer immunotherapy and the 2018 Nobel Prize winner in physiology or medicine — will address the class of 2026 at both graduation ceremonies on May 8. Allison received his bachelor’s in 1969 in microbiology and doctorate in 1973 in biological sciences, both from The University of Texas at Austin. He is one of the world’s most renowned researchers, a member of both the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Medicine and an inductee in the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He is currently chair of the MD Anderson Immunology department in Houston and the founding director of the James P. Allison Institute, which is devoted to cutting-edge cancer research.
Joining him will be two of our Dean’s Honored Graduates, speaking for the Class of 2026:
• 8 a.m. ceremony: Caroline Cole, B.S. Biochemistry, Honors, Special Departmental Honors in Biochemistry, Distinction in Research, Distinction in Service and Leadership
• 1 p.m. ceremony: Luisa Mao, B.S. Mathematics, Honors, Special Departmental Honors for Math and Computer Science, B.S. Computer Science, Turing Scholars, Distinction in Research
Get to know James, Caroline and Luisa better using the links in our @TexasScience bio.
#CNSGrad26 #UTGrad26 #UT26 #CNSGrad #TexasScience #WhatStartsHere #Congratulations
Looking forward to the College of Natural Sciences Graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 8 at @MoodyCenterATX ?
Make sure you and your guests are prepared and don’t bring any prohibited items.
A clear bag policy is in effect to enhance existing security measures and expedite venue entry at all event facilities on the UT Austin campus. The University is committed to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all of those who attend these ceremonies, so are prohibiting certain items. You can find clear bag guidelines and a list of prohibited items in the slides above and on the University’s security information page by using the link in the @TexasScience bio.
#CNSGrad26 #UTGrad26 #UT26 #CNSGrad #TexasScience
Attending the College of Natural Sciences Graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 8 at @MoodyCenterATX ? Know before you go!
Here are some tips and suggestions to help your graduation day go smoothly for you and your guests.
Don’t see what you’re looking for in these slides? Visit txsci.net/cnsgraduation (link in bio) for more information.
You can also check the link in our @TexasScience bio for updated security information, parking info and more.
#CNSGrad26 #UTGrad26 #UT26 #CNSGrad #TexasScience
Meet the Dean’s Honored Graduates of 2026!
Each year the College of Natural Sciences bestows its highest honors for graduating seniors on a select group of students that are known as Dean’s Honored Graduates. The DHG Award recognizes individuals that have demonstrated excellence in research, academics, leadership and service to the community.
This year’s impressive group includes students who have accomplished many things, like:
• published numerous first-author publications,
• mentored and empowered fellow students and
• led initiatives to reduce food insecurity, raise awareness of child abuse and more.
Get to know each of these remarkable students by using the link in our @TexasScience bio.
#CNSGrad26 #UTGrad26 #UT26 #TexasScience #UTAustin STEMExcellence
Two Longhorns. One shared commitment to compassion, connection and service.
Ashley Park is creating meaningful connections with residents at an Austin nursing home — bringing joy, conversation and a sense of community through her everyday presence.
Shaped by her journey as an immigrant, Maryam Paykar leads with empathy — mentoring new researchers and supporting refugee families so they feel seen and supported.
Both are recipients of the inaugural Dr. James W. Vick Endowed Scholarship for Student Leaders. They embody Dr. Vick’s legacy of integrity, kindness and service in their own unique ways.
Learn more about how these Longhorns are uplifting others at the link in our bio.
#WhatStartsHere
Happy DNA Day!
The CRISPR gene editing revolution is upon us. In The Texas Scientist magazine, we uncover the ways this set of techniques and tools is transforming research at UT Austin and how our scientists are innovating better ways of gene editing for the benefit of society.
Read more at link in @TexasScience bio.
Illustration credit: Zara Picken @ZaraIllustrates
#DNADay #CRISPR #WhatStartsHere #DiscoveryStartsHere #TexasScience #TheTexasScientist
What happens when light is used to control quantum materials? 💡
Edoardo Baldini studies quantum materials, where interacting particles can organize into states with properties not found in ordinary matter.
In recent work published in Nature, Baldini and his team studied an ultrathin quantum material where electrical and magnetic properties are linked through an unusually strong and dynamic interaction.
The discovery could point to future technologies that process information faster and use less energy.
Baldini received the 2026 Research Paper Excellence Award.
🎥 Watch more at the link in bio.
