Finding a Supervisor

Students are sought (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) for a variety of studies on meteorites and analogue materials to investigate formation, shock and cosmic ray irradiation processes. Graduate projects are available with several researchers in the Department. Some example projects include:

1. Extended investigation of newly discovered meteorites.
2. Investigation of the bulk properties and mineralogy of the Tagish Lake carbonaceous chondrite: a) as an analogue for primitive bodies in the Solar System; and, b) as a mechanically friable material which survived dynamical evolution and atmospheric entry (Dr. Peter Brown). 
3. Calibration of shock metamorphism in meteorites as observed by optical petrography, micro X-ray diffraction and other techniques, using experimentally shocked materials (Dr. Roberta Flemming)

A two-year M.Sc. position is available immediately in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Western Ontario, to conduct graduate research in a subproject of a high-resolution stratigraphic study of the Middle Devonian Hamilton Group in southern Ontario, Canada.

Components of the project include aspects of paleoecology, taphonomy, biostratigraphy, diagenesis, and sedimentology. The project as a whole will involve high-resolution correlation of strata of the Appalachian foreland basin into intracratonic Michigan basin, with the ultimate aim of elucidating the depositional history of this bridging area.

The specific project the M.Sc. candidate will undertake, and the subdiscipline(s) focused on in his/her project will be tailored to the strengths and interests of the individual. Preference will be given to enthusiastic applicants with a strong interest in interdisciplinary geological research, superior academic credentials and strong communication skills. Interested applicants are urged to contact Cam Tsujita.

Dr. Nigel Blamey is conducting research into ancient oxygen spanning both the Proterozoic and Phanerozoic, using halite-hosted fluid inclusions to measure the ancient atmospheric oxygen level. Please contact him for further information.

Dr. Robert Linnen has opportunities for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students in three areas, two of which will involve collaborations with mineral exploration companies. For further information please contact Dr. Robert Linnen.

• Lithium pegmatites: Li pegmatites are currently a source for the batteries used in electric cars. Projects will involve geological mapping to establish the structural controls of pegmatite emplacement and evaluating lithogeochemistry and mineral chemistry as mineral exploration tools.
• Intrusion-related gold: Detailed studies of alteration and mineralization of Archean intrusion-related deposits. Studies may also apply stable isotopes, age dating and structural analysis to understanding this deposit type.
• Experimental Petrology: Experimental studies of the behavior of rare-metals and precious metals in magmatic-hydrothermal systems.

Dr. Nigel Blamey is currently conducting research into MVT and gold deposits, focussing on fluid inclusion studies to answer the genesis of these deposits. Please contact him directly for more information.

Dr. Roberta Flemming at the Department of Earth Sciences at University of Western Ontario has openings for M.Sc. or Ph.D. candidates interested in pursuing fundamental or applied studies of minerals in the following areas:

• Fundamental understanding and quantification of mineral behavior as a function of pressure (P), temperature (T) and composition (X). Projects involve mineral synthesis (at controlled P-T), and determination of crystal structure (by X-ray diffraction/Rietveld refinement), crystal chemistry (by EPMA), and cation order-disorder (by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (e.g. 29 Si NMR provides a measure of Si/Al order in aluminosilicates). These data have application in geothermobarometry.
• Systematic investigation of Kimberlite Indicator Minerals (KIM) (e.g. chromite, Cr-diopside). Variation in unit cell parameters (measured by µXRD) is correlated to geochemical data (by EPMA), on a grain-by-grain basis, with the aim of developing µXRD as a tool for diamond exploration. Inclusions and strain, observed by µXRD, give additional clues to origin.
• Systematic mineralogical investigation of meteorites. In situ µXRD provides rapid mineral ID for meteorite classification, as well as unit cell parameters for addition to our growing database of unit cell parameters for meteorite minerals. Unit cell parameters can be correlated to geochemical information, and in some cases (e.g. clinopyroxene and olivine in basaltic meteorites) this may be correlated to planetary origin. Rietveld refinement of powder XRD data provides modal mineral analysis of bulk sample, and enables crystal structural study of selected phases.
• Development of micro X-ray diffraction (µXRD) as a tool for geologists. Micro XRD provides a unique opportunity to correlate crystal structural information with other microanalytical data on the microscopic scale (50-500 µm) not previously available routinely. Furthermore, minerals can be examined in situ, preserving orientational information. Projects include:
  • Quantification of strain-related mosaicity in minerals in meteorites, impact structures, and other rocks, with an aim toward development of a µXRD strain index and calibration using existing strain indices.
  • Development of µXRD for exsolution geothermometry. (e.g. two pyroxenes). GADDS image provides simultaneous unit cell information for both phases, as well as their T-dependent orientational relationship.

Facilities at UWO include a Bruker D8 Discover micro X-ray diffractometer, High-T and High-P laboratories, EPMA, SEM, FTIR, Raman, and XRF facilities (Earth Sciences), 400 and 600 MHz solid-state NMRs (Chemistry), XPS and SIMS facilities (Surface Science Western).

If you wish to obtain more information about these projects, or other possible projects, please contact Dr. Roberta Flemming. Collaborative projects with other faculty are also possible. Research and teaching assistantships are guaranteed for all qualified students.

Graduate student positions (M.Sc. and/or Ph.D. level) are available in the High Pressure - Temperature Mineral Physics and Materials Science Laboratories.

• (2 students) Projects on topics involving research in any area described in the research interests of Richard A. Secco are being offered but other topics will be considered. Please direct all email inquiries to Richard Secco.
• Projects related to the spectroscopy (synchrotron X-ray, Raman and IR), strength, elasticity and structure of Earth and planetary materials, and their applications using the diamond-anvil cell. Please contact Sean Shieh for details.

Dr. Katsu Goda currently has openings for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students interested in multi-hazard risk assessment related to earthquake-triggered disasters (e.g. shaking-tsunami-liquefaction/landslide, mainshock-aftershock, and shaking-ground deformation), early warning system, and real-time hazard-risk forecasting. Contact Dr. Katsu Goda for more information.

Projects available in biodiversity change of benthic faunas in response to greenhouse-icehouse environmental fluctuations during the Late Ordovician and Early Silurian, North America. Research opportunities are available at either the M.Sc. or Ph.D. level.

Please direct your inquiries to Jisuo Jin.

• Neoproterozoic through Paleozoic Avalonia terrane: Investigation of the Avalonia terrane’s Neoproterozoic relationship with West Gondwana and its Paleozoic tectonic and structural history along Laurentia’s eastern margin during the amalgamation of the supercontinent Pangea.

• Paleozoic Laurentia: Development of the as-yet poorly constrained Ordovician and Devonian paleomagnetic record for Laurentia.

• West Africa relations with Laurentia: Investigation of Late Neoproterozoic through Cambrian volcanic and intrusive rocks in Laurentia and West Africa to test paleogeographic relationships between West Gondwana, Laurentia and peri-Gondwanan terranes.

Dr. Neil Banerjee currently has openings for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students interested in studying hydrothermal alteration processes in oceanic crust, biogeochemical evidence for early life on Earth preserved in ancient greenstone belts, and studies of Earth environments as Mars analogues. Interested students should contact Dr. Banerjee for more information.

Dr. Gordon Osinski currently has openings for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students interested in studying various aspects of meteorite impact craters, comparative planetary geology (using terrestrial analogues to better interpret the observed geological attributes of Mars and other planetary bodies), and analysis of planetary materials, including meteorites.

Interested students should contact Dr. Gordon Osinski.

Dr. Catherine Neish currently has openings for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students interested in the landscape evolution of planetary surfaces, using remote sensing data sets, field work, and modeling to understand how planets change over time. Specific projects include understanding the emplacement of impact melt on the Moon and the degradation of impact craters on Saturn’s moon Titan.

Dr. Robert Shcherbakov is currently looking for students to work with in the areas of the physics of earthquakes, statistical seismology, geomechanics of induced seismicity, continuum damage and fracture mechanics, earthquake forecasting, planetary geophysics, simulation of complex non-linear systems. Contact mailto:rshcherb@uwo.ca for more information.

Dr. Katsu Goda currently has openings for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students interested in earthquake source process and modelling, ground-motion modelling, probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, and uncertainty quantification associated with seismic hazard mapping. Contact Dr. Katsu Goda for more information.

Dr. Sheri Molnar currently has openings for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students interested in 3D earthquake wave propagation modelling, earthquake site effects and site response, developing geophysical methods for site characterization, and mapping of natural hazards.

Students in the Longstaffe group measure oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen isotope variations, and other geochemical and mineralogical parameters, to address the following general questions:

1. What controls the distribution of heavy versus light stable isotopes of the same element among Earth materials, and what does it tell us about the Earth System?
2. What controls the hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of clay minerals? How can these data be used to understand lithosphere-hydrosphere-biosphere-atmosphere interaction in the Earth System?
3. How do we read past and present isotopic records of climate, environment and ecology? What can we learn about the Earth System? Can we go “Back to the Future” with this knowledge?
4. What is the climatic, environmental and/or ecological significance of the stable isotope, chemical and mineralogical signatures recorded by proxy* materials preserved in lacustrine sediments, terrestrial soils and sediments, and plant and animal remains?

*Proxies include – but are not limited to – shelly fauna, organic matter, pollen, cellulose, n-alkanes, phytoliths, diatoms, bone, teeth, hair, feathers, antler, tusk, fur, collagen, keratin, bioapatite, amino acids, etc.

All students are required to perform their own analyses and help with the care, maintenance and repair of equipment. This technical training, in addition to their subject field, makes them attractive to employers. Many former students now manage or are technologists in major laboratory facilities throughout the world. Others have academic appointments or professional positions in the private sector or government.

Currently available projects include:

• Origin and evolution of Paleozoic shales from the Appalachian and Michigan basins, Ontario
• Oxygen and hydrogen isotope fractionation between clay minerals and porewater
• Climatic change in the Great Lakes region since ~15,000 BP
• Climatic controls on the hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of water vapour, precipitation, surface and subsurface water in the Great Lakes region
• Controls on the carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of ancient and modern plant tissues
• Stable isotopic investigations of Pleistocene fauna and megafauna diet, migration and extinction and associated climatic, environmental and ecosystem change