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Dr Kim Baublys

Senior Research Fellow
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision

My research aim is to better understand the hydrogeological and hydrochemical processes that occur in large sedimentary basins such as the Surat Basin in Queensland. Understanding the fluid-rock and microbial interactions that influence the composition of the groundwater and gas, allows us to better manage this natural resource use now and for the future. I achieve this by the interpretation of geochemical and isotopic data against geological context (stratigraphic and tectonic) to determine the dominant processes controlling the down-dip geochemical evolution of the groundwater and gas.

My daily focus is manager of the Stable Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory which provides stable isotope analyses (C, H, O, N, S) for researchers across UQ and Australia as well as governement and industry. As a mass spectroscopist I advise researchers on sample collection protocols how best to collect their field samples (water and gas), develop equipment, methods and offer interpretation as required.

Manager of the Stable Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory (SIGL)

SIGL is one of the 3 analytical research laboratories which comprises the Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry (CGMS) within the School of of Earth and Environmental Sciences and offers researchers stable isotope analyses of geological, ecological and biomedical samples.

To access services see details on the laboratory websites https://sigl.earth.uq.edu.au or https://sees.uq.edu.au/research/facilities/stable-isotope-geochemistry-laboratory

Kim Baublys
Kim Baublys

Dr Grant Dawson

Affiliate of Centre for Geoanalytic
Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry
Faculty of Science
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Not available for supervision

Grant has degrees in both Chemistry and Earth Sciences and is presently focused on assessing the environmental impact of fluid-rock interactions on groundwater chemistry. This entails a variety of rock characterisation techniques (elemental, mineralogical, petrophysical), benchtop sequential extraction experiments, and pressure vessel experiments that mimic in-situ conditions deep underground, with data then fed into geochemical modelling software. The analytical equipment that Grant has operated to achieve his research outcomes includes ICP-MS, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS, Microprobe, XRF, Synchrotron XFM beamline, Petrographic Microscopes (both scanning and standard), Gas Permeameter, Helium Pycnometer, Pressure Vessels, etc. Grant also has an active interest in the geological storage of carbon dioxide, both via injection into deep geological formations and direct atmospheric capture facilitated by rock weathering to form stable carbonate rocks (mineral trapping of CO2). In the past, Grant has studied natural carbonate mineralisation (both veins and cement) throughout the Great Artesian Basin, to explore the variety of natural conditions that promote the transformation of CO2 into minerals. Early in his research career, Grant participated in paleo-climate research projects that involved botanically describing and assessing the cell morphology of fossil woods, coal petrography, studying coral cores, and picking foraminifera recovered from the sea floor.

Grant Dawson
Grant Dawson

Dr William Defliese

Lecturer - Geochemistry
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision

I am a sedimentary geochemist, and I work on a variety of problems in sedimentary geology, paleoclimate, and basin analysis through the use of petrology, elemental geochemistry, and stable isotope geochemistry. I run the Carbonate Research and Geochemistry group at UQ, where we have a variety of facilities for sample petrology, carbonate precipitation under controlled environmental conditions, and geochemical analysis. Several active and potential research areas are outlined below.

Clumped Isotope Reordering and Basin Analysis

Currently we are investigating clumped isotope reordering - the change that occurs in a sample's clumped isotope value as a result of solid-state diffusion of 18O and/or 13C within the crystal lattice of a carbonate mineral. This is important to understand for two reasons. First, if we are trying to get accurate paleoclimate data using clumped isotope paleothermometry, we need to know what conditions (burial depth and heating) allow for primary signals, and under which conditions the primary signal is lost. Second, if we know the kinetics of clumped isotope reordering, we can then apply that knowledge to understand past heat flow in a basin. Combined with a stratigraphic column and burial history for a body of rock, we can reconstruct geothermal gradients, and evaluate tectonic/basin models based on whether they could produce the required heat flux to match observed clumped isotope values. Areas of active research include precipitating model carbonates in the lab to study the effects of different cations, burial diagenesis, and applications to sediment hosted ore bodies/other economic systems.

Carbonate Sedimentation and Diagenesis

Carbonate sedimentation and diagenesis is one of our active research areas, with a focus on combining laboratory experiments, modern analogues, and ancient rocks to understand the long term evolution of carbonates and other sediments. Clumped isotopes are useful here as it turns out they do record the temperature of formation in most cases, and can be applied to a variety of problems, such as contemporary dolomite formation, or the temperature of formation of otherwise engimatic carbonate textures, such as 'beef' calcites. We are also interested in the sedimentation and diagenesis of carbonate reefs, such as the geological history of the Great Barrier Reef, and are currently studying the halogen composition of carbonates, reef rocks and corals, and oceanic sediments in general.

Paleoclimate Research

I have been interested in paleoclimate since I took my first geology class at Northwestern. Since then, I've worked on a variety of timescales and systems, but the common theme has been the application of stable isotopes and clumped isotopes. Clumped isotopes are a wonderful tool for paleoclimate research in situations where the water oxygen isotope composition is uncertain, such as terrestrial and lacustrine settings, deep time where even the oxygen isotopic composition of the ocean is uncertain, or even in (relatively) more modern systems that might be affected by runoff or glacial meltwater. Active projects and areas of interest include Holocene climate change/ENSO, Southern Ocean Cenozoic paleoclimatology, and 'bizzare' climate events such as the Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth glaciations.

Degrees and Positions Held

2008 B.A. Geological Sciences and Integrated Sciences (Honors), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA

2014 Ph.D. Geology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

2014-2017 Postdoctoral Researcher, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA

2017-2019 Berg-Hughes Postdoctoral Fellow, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA

2019-Present Lecturer in Geochemistry, University of Queensland

William Defliese
William Defliese

Associate Professor Mansour Edraki

Principal Research Fellow
Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry
Sustainable Minerals Institute
Availability:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Dr Mansour Edraki is a geo-environmental scientist specialising in the field of inorganic geochemistry. He joined UQ in 2000 following completion of his PhD at University of New England. Prior to that, and before immigrating to Australia, he was a lecturer in earth sciences. Since joining UQ, Dr Edraki has focused on developing innovative techniques for understanding and predicting geochemical processes which underpin sustainable management of mine waste and mine water, particularly acid and metalliferous drainage. Mansour’s research has direct applications for the resources and energy industries and the impact of his work is evident in a continuous flow of industry-funded projects in the last decade. Dr Edraki has initiated research collaborations in many international locations including Indonesia (South Kalimantan and Freeport), Iran (Mehdiabad Zinc) Papua New Guinea (Ok Tedi), Philippines (USEP and Mindanao Development Authority), Korea (MIRECO and KIGAM), Peru (INGEMET), and Chile (Fundación Chile, Universidad de Concepción). Dr Edraki represents SMI-UQ at International Network for Acid Prevention (INAP), which is a global alliance for managing the issue of acid and metalliferous drainage. He leads SMI's Environmental Geochemistry Group.

Mansour Edraki
Mansour Edraki

Emeritus Professor Sue Golding

Affiliate of Centre for Geoanalytic
Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry
Faculty of Science
Emeritus Professor
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Professor Sue Golding's research interests are in the fields of ore deposit geology and geochemistry, application of isotope geochemistry to minerals and energy exploration, coal bed methane, carbon sequestration, geomicrobiology.

Sue Golding received her PhD from The University of Queensland. She has been involved with resource exploration and isotope geochemistry research since 1977, following some 8 years industry experience in Australia and Africa. Building on this industry background Golding has combined field and laboratory studies to build an interdisciplinary research program with emphasis on hydrothermal systems and mineral and fossil fuel resources. This has involved the development of new techniques and methodologies for constraining thermal and fluid flow histories in sedimentary basins, which have provided significant insights into processes associated with evolving mineral and hydrocarbon systems. She also has considerable expertise in the application of stable and radiogenic isotope technologies in mineral and hydrocarbon exploration to evaluate terrain prospectivity, test the models employed and vector to ore based on isotopic haloes that surround many ore deposit types. A significant focus of her research group at the University of Queensland is technology related to environmentally sustainable energy provision. The research spans multiple scales from natural analogue studies of coal basins to determine the origins of coal seam methane and mechanisms that keep carbon dioxide naturally sequestered to experimental studies of the impact of carbon dioxide interaction with sandstones and coals on reservoir properties and groundwater chemistry. Golding was a senior researcher with the CO2CRC from 2006 to 2016.

Sue Golding
Sue Golding

Professor Longbin Huang

Program Leader/Prof Res Fellow
Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation
Sustainable Minerals Institute
Availability:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Science and technology of ecological engineering of ferrous and base metal mine tailings (e.g., magnetite tailings, bauxite residues (or red mud), Cu/Pb-Zn tailings) into functional technosols and hardpan-based soil systems for sustainable tailings rehabilitation: geo-microbial ecology, mineral bioweathering, geo-rhizosphere biology, technosol-plant relations in mined environments. Championing nature-based solutions to global mine wastes challenges.

Longbin Huang is a full professor and a Program leader in The University of Queensland, leading a research program of "Ecological Engineering in Mining" to develop naure-based methdology and technology, for assisting the world's mining industry to meet the global tailings challenge. Driven by the passion to translate leading knowledge into industry solutions, Longbin has pioneered transformative concepts and approach to tackle rehabilitation of mine wastes (e.g., tailings, acidic and metalliferous waste rocks). Recent success includes the "ecological engineering of Fe-ore tailings and bauxite residue" into soil, for overcoming the topsoil deficit challenge facing the mining industry. Scaled up field trials have been going on to deliver the much-needed technology into field operations. Long-term and multi-site based field trials have demonstrated for the first time, the field-feasibility to accelerate nature-based soil formaiton processes for developing tailings into adaptive and sustainable soil (or technosol) capable of sustaining plant community growth and development (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VzfiWL-8UI&t=4s).

The program consists of a group of researchers with leading knowledge and research skills on: soil/geo-microbial ecology, environmental mineralogy, bioweathering of minerals, native plant rhizosphere (micro)biology, soil-plant relations, and environmental materials (such as biochar and environmental geopolymers). It aims to deliver transformative knowledge and practices (i.e., technologies/methdologies) in the rehabilitation of mine wastes (e.g., tailings, mineral residues, spoils, waste rocks) and mined landscapes for non-polluting and ecologically and financially sustainable outcomes.

In partnership with leading mining companies, Longbin and his team have been focusing on developing game-changing knowledge and technologies of tailings valorisation for achieving non-polluting and ecologically sustainable rehabilitation of, for example, coal mine spoils and tailings, Fe-ore tailings, bauxite residues (or red mud), and Cu/Pb-Zn tailings. Leading the global progress in bauxite rehabilitation, Longbin and his team are currently taking on field-scale research projects on bauxite residue rehabilitation technologies at alumina refineries in Queensland (QAL- and Yarwun refineries) and Northern Territory (Gove refinery).

Longbin's industry-partnered research was recognised in 2019 UQ’s Partners in Research Excellence Award (Resilient Environments) (Rio Tinto and QAL).

Membership of Board, Committee and Society

Professional associations and societies

2010 – Present Australian Soil Science Society.

2016 – Present Soil Science Society of America

2015 – Present American Society of Mining and Reclamation (ASMR)

Editorial boards/services

2018 - present: Member of Editorial Board, BIOCHAR

2013 – present: coordinating editor, Environmental Geochemistry and Health

Awards & Patent

2019 UQ’s Partners in Research Excellence Award (Resilient Environments) (Rio Tinto and QAL)

2017 SMI-Industry Engagement Award, University of Queensland

2015 SMI-Inaugural Bright Research Ideas Forum Award, University of Queensland

2014 SMI-RHD Supervision Award, University of Queensland

2015 Foliar fertilizer US 20150266786. In. (Google Patents). Huang L, Nguyen AV, Rudolph V, Xu G (equal contribution)

Longbin Huang
Longbin Huang

Associate Professor Mark Kendrick

Affiliate of Centre for Geoanalytic
Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry
Faculty of Science
Associate Professor - Geochemistry
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision

I use geochemistry to investigate the roles of fluids and volatiles in geological processes stretching from the Earth's surface to the deep mantle. I am particularly interested in hydrothermal alteration, metasomatism/metamorphism and magmatism. The common link between these areas, and the aim of my recent research, has been to investigate the longterm exchange of volatiles between the Earth's surface and mantle reservoirs, stretching from the seafloor, through subduction zones and into the mantle. I participated in Expedition 360 of the International Ocean Discovery Program in 2016, to the slow-spreading Atlantis Bank core complex on the SW Indian Ridge, where I acted as shipboard geochemist and crossed the equator by boat for the first time. I have long standing interests in fluid inclusions as tiny recorders of past fluid activity and special interests in the halogen and noble gas groups of elements.

I moved to UQ in 2019 from the Australian National University where I was a continuing Fellow and had held an ARC Future Fellowship. Prior to that I had an ARC QEII Fellowship at the University of Melbourne (2008-2013) and postdoctoral appointments at the University of Melbourne (2004-2008) and the Geological Survey of Norway (2001-2003). I did my PhD at the University of Manchester (2001) and undergraduate studies in Geology at the University of Edinburgh (1996).

Mark Kendrick
Mark Kendrick

Dr Julie Pearce

ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellow
UQ Gas & Energy Transition Research Centre
Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
Affiliate of UQ Centre for Natural
UQ Gas & Energy Transition Research Centre
Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
Availability:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Julie’s research is mainly focussed on gas-water-rock core reactivity at reservoir conditions using experimental, field, and geochemical modelling techniques. Recent projects have been in the application of carbon dioxide geological storage in which CO2 is captured and stored in formations generally contained by low permeability cap-rock. The safe containment of the injected CO2 and the potential changes to rock porosity, permeability, and water quality should be determined. Recent and current projects with a focus on a demonstration site in the Surat Basin (Precipice Sandstone) include the impacts of impurity or acid gases present in industrial CO2 streams (collaboration with D. Kirste, SFU), inducing carbonate precipitation (in collaboration with S. Golding), and understanding dissolved metal sources and fate. Julie has also worked closely with the CO2CRC, CTSCo, Glencore, SEAL, the NSW government, CI-NSW, and ANLEC R&D, and provided expert opinion to the Queensland Government, and input to Environmental Impacts Assessments.

Julie is currently working with landholders, the QLD regional government, RDMW, councils and industry to understand the sources of methane in aquifers of the Great Artesian Basin, especailly those overlying coal seam gas reservoirs (CSG) (with Arrow Energy, SANTOS, APLNG, H. Hoffman, K, Baublys).

Other projects include gas-water-rock or acid-rock reactivity that modify nano-porosity and gas flow in gas or oil bearing shales.

Julie Pearce graduated with an MCHEM (Hons) degree in Chemistry from the University of York, UK. She then moved to the University of Bristol to complete a Ph.D. in 2007 focusing on laser spectroscopic studies to understand the detailed reaction dynamics of atmospheric processes. From 2007 – 2009 she accepted a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship, hosted at Nagoya University, Japan. There she measured delta 13C and delta 18O isotopic signatures of CO2 simultaneously in real time in the atmosphere using a laser spectroscopic technique to understand anthropogenic and biogenic sources of CO2. After taking a career break to travel in 15 countries in Asia, she moved to Brisbane in 2010 where she is enjoying the surrounding natural beauty of Queensland.

Julie Pearce
Julie Pearce

Dr Gilbert Price

Associate Professor in Palaeontolog
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Gilbert Price is a Senior Lecturer in Palaeontology at The University of Queensland. He is a vertebrate palaeoecologist and geochronologist, particularly interested in the evolution and emergence of our planet’s unique ecosystems and fauna, and their response to prehistoric climatic changes. His major research focus has been on the development of palaeoecological models for Australia’s Cenozoic, especially the Quaternary megafauna. Critically, this also involves the production of reliably-dated records for the fossils that he studies. You can follow Gilbert on Twitter (@TheFatWombat) and read his reserach blog at www.diprotodon.com.

Gilbert Price
Gilbert Price

Dr Narottam Saha

Research Fellow/Senior Research off
Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation
Sustainable Minerals Institute
Availability:
Available for supervision

Dr Narottam Saha is specialized in the area of environmental analytical chemistry and geochemistry, with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, a second Masters Degree (Distinction) in Environmental Sciences ( University of East Anglia, UEA, UK), and PhD in geochemistry (The University of Queensland). In his Masters study, Saha received a commonwealth scholarship, one of the most prestigious international scholarship schemes, for Master Degree in Environmental Sciences, with special emphasis on Clumped Isotope geochemistry and climate science. In 2014, Saha received Australia’s federal government scholarship (IPRS) for undertaking his PhD degree. Saha’s research achievements were well recognised with awards of Stanley Gray Fellowship from Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST, UK) for coral reef research and National Science and Information & Communication Technology (NSICT) Fellowship (2010) from Government of Bangladesh for heavy metal pollution research.

His multidisciplinary research experiences include biogeochemistry of heavy metals, assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for the population exposed to heavy metals, clumped isotopes geochemistry in recovering palaeo-climate history and developing trace element proxies in coral carbonate skeleton to trace historical gradients of inshore coastal water quality. His PhD research highlights the potential of self-referencing rare earth elements over traditional trace elemental proxies for reconstructing marine water quality, degradation of which is considered as one of the major threats in declining the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) coral community. He has been the first to have discovered a noble V/Ca proxy, which is decoupled from other commonly used runoff proxies, for monitoring historical catchment clearing and firing in coastal areas. His discovery has direct relevance to environmental protection for reefs in the GBR through promoting better land management with improved water quality.

Narottam Saha
Narottam Saha

Miss Katerina Savinova

Research Fellow
W.H. Bryan Mining and Geology Research Centre
Sustainable Minerals Institute
Availability:
Available for supervision

Katerina is a geologist with a specialization in hyperspectral data analysis as applied to mineral identification and interpretation, with big data integration. She has 15 years of hands-on experience working on both ground-breaking research and commercial activities for greenfield, brownfield and mining projects of various scales around the world. While with Corescan, she pioneered innovation in hyperspectral data acquisition, interpretation, and presentation. She developed and interpreted the results of complex algorithms associated with various mineral hyperspectral signatures. As part of her work, she contributed to geochemical and geotechnical research as applied to hydrothermal mineral alteration patterns associated with several world-class deposits, deposit delineation initiatives, new exploration projects, as well as geoenvironmental studies of acid-rock drainage and mining waste characterization. In her earlier roles, as an exploration geologist, she worked on uranium deposits in Canada, the USA, and Australia, with a focus on the system controls and definition of hydrothermal alteration mineral zonation and spatial patterns. Currently, Katerina is collaborating on several long-term projects with different challenges related to geological and mining industries at the W.H. Bryan Mining and Geology Research Centre, SMI including critical minerals research, mineral and textural characterization as applied to mine waste and tailings, as well as development of educational material and short-course delivery. Specific areas of research and interest include:

  • Hydrothermal alteration mineralogy and its characterization using high-resolution hyperspectral data in combination with other micro-analytical techniques
  • Remote sensing techniques and data interpretation
  • Detailed investigation of a variety of geological environments and mineral deposit settings including epithermal, unconformity-associated uranium, orogenic gold, porphyry, skarn, as well as IOCG
  • Minerals and mineral groups, their chemical composition and variations, recognizing hydrothermal alteration patterns and identifying vectors to mineralization
  • Establishment of new mineralogical and hyperspectral reflectance tools for drill core characterization for various mining applications
Katerina Savinova
Katerina Savinova

Dr Tina Skinner

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision
Media expert
Tina Skinner
Tina Skinner

Associate Professor Carlos Spier

Associate Professor
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision

I am a professional geologist with over 30 years of technical and managerial experience, working for large organisations such as Vale and BHP Billiton, participating and managing complex projects in South America, Australia, and West Africa. Skilled in leading technical services and geological exploration for underground and open pit mines, my career experience includes exploration, mine geology and resource estimations of multiple commodities, geometallurgical studies, mine-to-mill reconciliations, project management and project evaluation.

I have a profound interest in earth sciences and mining. The development and training of junior professionals and geoscientists was one of my passions in the industry. Both interests led me to recently join the academia. My research interests are in the areas of economic geology, exploration geochemistry, geometallurgy and ore body modelling.

Carlos Spier
Carlos Spier

Associate Professor Teresa Ubide Garralda

ARC Future Fellow
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision
Media expert

I am a volcano scientist with a passion for understanding how magmatic systems work. I develop high-resolution geochemical techniques to interrogate magmatic crystals and their carrier melts, providing a better understanding of past eruptions as a key for future activity. My team aims to constrain the drivers of volcanic eruptions and the processes leading to the accumulation of metals that are critical for the energy transition.

I joined UQ as a Lecturer in July 2016, after holding a postdoctoral fellowship at Trinity College Dublin. I undertook my postgraduate research in Spain and The Netherlands (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and received my PhD from the University of Zaragoza in December 2013. I was born and raised by the sea, in San Sebastián, and I am fortunate to study a wide range of active and past volcanic systems in different tectonic settings around the world.

Teresa Ubide Garralda
Teresa Ubide Garralda

Professor Paulo Vasconcelos

Centre Director of Centre for Geoan
Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry
Faculty of Science
Professor
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision

Associate Professor Paulo Vasconcelos' research is in the fields of: Low-T Geochemistry, Economic Geology and 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology. He received his PhD from The University of California (Berkeley).

Paolo Vasconcelos research interests cover

  • Supergene enrichment in ore deposits
  • Isotopic dating of weathering processes
  • Exploration geochemistry
  • Palaeoclimatology and landscape evolution
  • Application of K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar and noble gas systematics to ore deposit genesis
  • Origin and geochemistry of gem deposits

His chief research projects are in the areas of:

  • Weathering Geochronology, Weathering Geochronology and Landscape Evolution
  • Mechanisms and timing of silicification in Australia and the genesis of opal deposits
  • Cenozoic Magmatism in North East Brazil and in South East Queensland
  • U-He, 40Ar/39Ar, and Re-Os as fingerprints of metal sources in orogenic gold deposits
  • U-Th/He dating of iron and manganese oxides
  • Cosmogenic 3He generation and retention in goethite and hematite
  • Hydrothermal vs. supergene origin of orebodies in banded iron formations in the Hamersley iron province, the Quadrilátero Ferrífero iron province, and the Carajás iron province
  • Supergene Enrichment in the Kalahari Manganese Fields, South Africa
  • Timing of topaz, emerald and gold mineralization
  • 40Ar/39Ar geocronological constraints on postulated hominid fossil sites in Cueva Victoria, Spain
Paulo Vasconcelos
Paulo Vasconcelos

Professor Gregory Webb

Affiliate of Centre for Marine Scie
Centre for Marine Science
Faculty of Science
Dorothy Hill Chair in Paleontology
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision

Prof. Gregory E. Webb is a palaeontologist and carbonate sedimentologist who has occupied the Dorothy Hill Chair of Palaeontology and Stratigraphy at the University of Queensland since 2011. He is the head of the Integrated Palaeoenvironmental Research Group in the School of Earth Sciences. He obtained his BSc in Geology with highest honours at the University of Oklahoma (OU-1983) followed by an MSc in Geology (OU-1984) and a PhD in Palaeontology at The University of Queensland in 1989. His research interests are clustered within the fields of carbonate petrology, reef palaeobiology, geomicrobiology, carbonate geochemistry and carbonate stratigraphy. These fields have major implications for understanding Earth history, palaeoclimatology, and mineral and energy exploration. In general, Prof. Webb's research focuses on understanding how organisms make rocks – how the biosphere interacts with the lithosphere through time - and how those rocks are preserved and how they record evidence of past environmental conditions in their geochemistry.

Gregory Webb
Gregory Webb

Dr Kevin Welsh

Affiliate of Centre for Marine Scie
Centre for Marine Science
Faculty of Science
Senior Lect: Sedimentology&Paleocli
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision
Kevin Welsh
Kevin Welsh

Professor Jianxin Zhao

Affiliate of Centre for Marine Scie
Centre for Marine Science
Faculty of Science
Affiliate of Centre for Geoanalytic
Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry
Faculty of Science
Professor
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision

Professor Zhao (PhD, ANU, 1993; MSc, Univ Adelaide, 1989; BSc, Nanjing Univ, 1985) has ~30 years research experience in isotope geochemistry and geochronology, with research interests straddling across the fields of geological, geochemical, geographical, environmental, ecological and archaeological sciences. He developed the mass spectrometry U-series dating methods at UQ and applied them to dating coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef and other parts of the tropical oceans, karstic deposits (stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, etc) and calcite veins across different continents, as well as important hominid and fauna records in China, South East Asia, Australasia, Europe and Polynesia, which have received widespread recognition and public attention. Most recently, his team has been developing laser-ablation ICP-MS in situ U-Th and U-Pb dating methods for applications in earth, environmental and archaeological research. Since 1991, Zhao have authored >350 refereed publications, won more than 50 competitive grants and contracts, supervised or mentored more than 50 research high-degree students and early-career researchers, and received one ARC APD fellowship (1995), one ARC research/QEII fellowship (1998), one UQ research excellence award (2001), one Chinese National Science Foundation distinguished overseas young scholar award (2000), and the prestigious inaugural Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers (2011).

The Radiogenic Isotope Facility (RIF) that Prof Zhao took charge since 2005 is a ~200 m2 HEPA-filtered, fully-automated, ultra-clean low-blank chemistry and mass spectrometer laboratory, housing two Nu Plasma multi-collector ICP-MS instruments, two Thermo iCap-RQ and one Thermo X-series II quadrupole ICP-MS instruments, and two ASI RESOlution SE laser ablation systems for high-precision radiogenic/metal-stable isotope and trace element analysis in both solution and in situ laser-ablation modes. The facility is unique in its design and capabilities in Australia, representing one of only a small number of establishments with its level of analytical sophistication, range and quality of mass spectrometers and proven ultra-low analytical blank performance. It is widely acknowledged by peers in the field as being among of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the world. It services a multidisciplinary research community on campus, nationally and overseas in traditional earth science research, palaeoclimate, palaeoenvironmental and palaeoecological research, coral reef research, environmental science research, archaeological research, and forensic research.

Jianxin Zhao
Jianxin Zhao

Dr Renjie Zhou

Affiliate of Centre for Geoanalytic
Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry
Faculty of Science
Senior Lecturer in Geochronology an
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Availability:
Available for supervision
Media expert

I am a Senior Lecturer in Geochronology and Tectonics. I am also an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow working on using geochronology (and thermochronology) and micro-analysis to improve knowledge in geoscience related to critical minerals. This Fellowship project is a key activity in my research group and I am always looking for motivated students and ECRs to join this research. It is sponsored by Queensland State Government and in collaboration with leading companies in the critical minerals industry.

Here's my recent seminar on some of the work in my group: https://youtu.be/twNcLECCqPg?si=501qcfSA2mJdHxUh

Broadly speaking, my research advances fundamentals of Plate Tectonics, the unique and unifying theory for our home planet. My group uses a set of field, laboratory, and computational approaches to reveal the geologic history of modern and ancient plate boundaries, focusing on reconstructing the evolution of plate-margin mountains and basins. Such regions are among the most dynamic in the Earth system: their development alters regional and global climate, impacts biogeographic evolution, triggers earthquakes and other geologic hazards, and determines formation and distribution of natural resources such as critical minerals. I have been fortunate to work in some of the most rewarding areas for geologists, including the Himalaya-Tibetan Plateau, Central Andes, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands. Check out some of my field photos here. I am the lead of UQ Thermochronology Lab. As an in-depth user of UQ RIF (Radiogenic Isotope Facility), I also work with laser ablation ICP-MS with recent work around laser ablation geochronology and geochemistry.

---- New projects in 2024 ----

Recruiting new research students: I am always looking for highly motivated PhD and MPhil students to join my group to work on a range of research topics around geochronology and its applications to critical minerals, global tectonics, and past environmental changes. Please email me for details on projects, funding, and application timelines.

-----------------------------------

Editorial activities: I am a Subject Editor for Journal of the Geological Society and a member of the Editorial Board for Results in Earth Sciences. I am the lead Editor for issue 'Geochronology and Critical Minerals Systems' at Ore Geology Reviews. More information could be found here.

Teaching activities: My teaching duties range from delivering introductory courses, upper-year disciplinary courses, to research training courses. Here's a YouTube video of one of my courses: https://youtu.be/31TV3wUOv1Q

Renjie Zhou
Renjie Zhou