Dr. Heidi Schmalbach leads Planet Texas 2050, a research grand challenge at the University of Texas at Austin focused on fortifying Texas’ resilience in the face of climate change, population growth, and rapid urbanization. As program director, she supports research activities across PT2050’s network of more than 120 interdisciplinary scholars while maintaining the strategic vision of the initiative and stewarding external relationships with partner organization and collaborators. Additionally, Heidi manages the research relationship between the City of Austin and UT Austin through her role as program director for regional research collaborations in the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors. Previously, she served in various roles at the intersection of arts and culture, community development, and urban planning, interests that are reflected in her own research and writing. Before returning to Austin, she was the Executive Director and CEO of Arts New Orleans, a nonprofit organization and the official arts agency of the City of New Orleans. Heidi earned a PhD from the interdisciplinary City, Culture, and Community doctoral program at Tulane University and a master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from UT Austin’s School of Architecture. She has served on the Austin Arts Commission since 2021 and the Austin Art in Public Places Committee since 2025. These experiences drive her passion for facilitating collaborations that center the capacities of artists and help build lasting relationships between artists and scientists.