The University of British Columbia

 

Distribution of elements and isotopes in Earth systems with emphasis on the use abundances and isotopic ratios in defining the source and evolution of igneous rocks, the interaction between different reservoirs (mantle, crust and atmosphere) and the role of tectonic settings.

Geochemical constraints on mantle plume dynamics and structure.

• Time integrated studies of volcanic stratigraphic series on the Kerguelen and Hawaiian Archipelago and of submarine Hawaiian volcanoes.
• High-precision isotope stratigraphy (Pb & Hf by MC-ICP-MS, Sr & Nd by TIMS) of the Hawaiian Scientific Deep Hole (HSDP), other Hawaiian sections and rejuvenated volcanism.
• Large-igneous provinces:

-       Kerguelen Plateau - Broken Ridge, Ninetyeast Ridge. Role of the Kerguelen Plume. 
-       Wrangellia flood basalt province (Vancouver Island, Yukon & Alaska) 

Environmental applications.

• Isotopic tracing of the Fraser River (Sr, Nd, Hf and Pb isotopic studies).
• Pb isotopic study of particles collected around the English Channel area: determination of the Pb sources and modelling of the anthropogenic vs. natural sources. 
• Historic Pb pollution in the Vancouver area; systematic study of Stanley Park trees.
• Source(s) of the high Cd in BC oysters.
• Iron isotope fractionation within atmospheric aerosols: tracing of pollutants vs. natural sources.

Analytical applications.

• Systematic isotopic (Sr, Nd, Pb & Hf) and geochemical characterization of USGS reference materials.
• Application of heavy/non-traditional stable isotopes.
• Experimental laboratory studies of isotope partitioning between phases.

See also:

- the 2002 issue of Synergy

- NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program - The Multidisciplinary Applied Geochemistry Network (MAGNET): http://www.magnet.eos.ubc.ca/

- And August 2012, International Innovation, Taking up the Mantle, p116-119.

Awards.

2011 Geochemical Fellow.

American Geophysical Union Fellow: 2010:"For the elegance, precision and impact of her geochemical studies of the Earth, from Large Igneous Provinces to the Environment".
Daly Lecture: Fall AGU 2010: Geochemical Insights into Mantle Geodynamics and Plume Structure.

2010-12: ECORD Distinguished Lecturer: What do we know about mantle plumes and what more can we learn by IODP drilling.

Canada Research Chair Tier I: 2002, 2009.

UBC Killam Research Fellowship: 2009.
UBC Faculty of Science Award for Research: 2003.
Canada Research Chair Tier I: Oct 2002.
Visiting Fellow, Carnegie Institution of Washington: 1999-present.
Alumni Award: National award to a young scientist, Francqui Foundation, Belgium, 1991.

PDF Grant FNRS (1983-1984).
PhD Grant FNRS (1979-1982).
Special Prize of the Belgian Government (1975).

Research Team / Students:

Ph.D. Students

• Robin Tuohy (start Jan 2014)
• Anaïs Fourny (start Jan 2012)
• Lauren Harrison (start Sept 2011)
• Marina Martindale (start Sept 2011)
• Katrin Breitsprecher (start Sept 2005)

M.Sc. Students

• Tom Ver Hoeve (start Sept 2013)
• Mariko Ikehata (start Jan 2011)

Honors Students/Undergraduate Trainees

• Sri Utami (Sept 2012-)
• Gary Schudel (Summer 2013-)

MAGNET Trainees

• Genna Patton (R. Francois), Elliott Skierszkan (U. Mayer)

 

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PCIGR Researchers and Staff

• Marghaleray Amini, Research Associate
• Liyan Xing, Research Associate
• Rich Friedman, Research Associate
• Bruno Kieffer, Research Associate
• Vivian Lai, Research Technician
• Kathy Gordon, Research Technician
• Janet Gabites, Research Technician

Post-doctoral Fellows

• Nicolas Estrade (2013-)
• Emily Mullen (2011-)

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Research Team / Students (past)

Post-doctoral Fellows (past)

• Bruno Kieffer (2002-2004)
• Wilma Pretorius (2003-2006)
• Francois Nauret (2005-2006)
• Andrew Greene, University of Hawaii (2009-2010)
• Alyssa Shiel (2010-2011)
• Elspeth Barnes (2010-2011)
• Ines Nobre-Silva (2011)
• Marion Carpentier (2009-2011)
• Jean-Thomas Cornelis (2011-2012)

• Anthony Hildenbrand, Visiting Scientist (summer 2008, 2010)

Graduate Students (past) 

University of British Columbia 

Ph.D. Students 

• Ines Nobre Silva (May 2004 - April 2011)
• Elspeth Barnes (Sept 2003 - July 2010)
• Alyssa Shiel (Sept 2003 - July 2010)
• Caroline-Emmanuelle Morisset (Sept 2003 - July 2008)
• Andrew Greene (Jan 2004 - June 2008)

M.Sc. Students

• Trent Dell Oro (June 2010 - Sept 2012)
• Lisa Swinnard (co-advisor, University of Hawai'i - May 2008)
• Diane Hanano (Jan 2005 - June 2008)
• Rob Mackie (Sept 2003 - April 2006)
• Heidi Annell (Jan 2003 - April 2005)

Université Libre de Bruxelles

Ph.D. Students

• Nadine Mattielli, 1996
• Xiaoqi Zhou, 1996
• Bruno Kieffer, 2002
• Sonia Doucet, 2002
• Stephanie Ingle, 2003 

Exchange Students, Internships

• Elisa Dietrich-Sainsaulieu (Sept 2004 - July 2005)
• Aurore Ponvienne (August 2006 - July 2007)
• Maia Kuga (May - August 2008)
• Olivier Ménard (June - August 2010)
• Charlie Beard (2011-2012)

Honors Students, B.Sc.H. (past, UBC)

• Diane Hanano (2003-2004)
• Gwen Williams (2003-2004)
• Lorraine Tam (2004-2005)
• Lisa Swinnard (2005-2006)
• Dave Semeniuk  (2005-2006)
• Selina Wu (2005-2006)
• Samantha Dyck (2006-2007)
• Tessa Loftus, exchange student (2010-2011)
• Sri Budhi Utami (2012-13)

Undergraduate fellowships

• Gary Schudel (Summer 2012)
• Abe Torchinsky (2010-2011)

PCIGR Researchers and Staff (past, UBC)

• Bert Mueller, Research Technician (2002-2008)
• Jane Barling, Research Associate (2002-2012)

 

And for an overview of the whole research team related to PCIGR, go to PCIGR website