I joined the Future Industries Institute at University of South Australia as a Senior Research Fellow in January 2017. I currently undertake most of my reserach within the MinEx CRC, and am Coordinator of the MinEx CRC Education and Training Program. I was also previously involved with the Deep Exploration Technologies CRC. Prior to joining University of South Australia, I spent 10 years at the University of Adelaide from 2007-2017 in various teaching and research roles. I haven't always been employed in Universities and spent 2 years with the Geological Survey of Western Australia (2005-2007) after completing my undergraduate, Masters and PhD degrees at Monash University (1996-2004).
My research interests have... Read more
About me
I joined the Future Industries Institute at University of South Australia as a Senior Research Fellow in January 2017. I currently undertake most of my reserach within the MinEx CRC, and am Coordinator of the MinEx CRC Education and Training Program. I was also previously involved with the Deep Exploration Technologies CRC. Prior to joining University of South Australia, I spent 10 years at the University of Adelaide from 2007-2017 in various teaching and research roles. I haven't always been employed in Universities and spent 2 years with the Geological Survey of Western Australia (2005-2007) after completing my undergraduate, Masters and PhD degrees at Monash University (1996-2004).
My research interests have varied throughout study and employment. My current focus is on developing new geochemical tools and drilling technologies that will allow for more environmentally friendly mineral exploration. I have a keen interest in understanding the geochemical and mineralogical footprints associated with ore deposits within basement and regolith materials. I am also interested in Proterozoic tectonics, particularly during the ca. 1600-1575 Ma time slice within Australia, which was a time of metamorphism, deformation, voluminous magmatism and ore genesis.
I am passionate about understanding enablers for women in STEM, particular within the geosciences, to progress their careers and create diverse and inclusive workplaces across the academic, government and industry sectors. I am an advocate for geoscience education and involved within development of virtual learning environments for mineral exploration that will create opportunities for students to virtually access and then learn about geological scenarios that they otherwise would not be able to access (e.g. drill rig sites).
About me
Doctor of Philosophy Monash University
Master of Science Monash University
Bachelor of Science Monash University
2017-present: Senior Research Fellow: MinEx CRC, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia
2015-2017: Senior Lecturer/Researcher: Deep Exploration Technologies CRC, University of Adelaide
2011-2014: Lecturer/Researcher: Deep Exploration Technologies CRC, University of Adelaide
2007-2011: Post-doctoral Fellow: Centre for Mineral Exploration Undercover, University of Adelaide
2005-2007: Regional Mapping Geologist: Geological Survey of South Australia
We all need metals - we wouldn't be looking at this website if we didn't have them as they are in our laptops, mobile phones, in the seat we are sitting on. This means we need mines so that we can extract metals. This also means that metals are in demand... and this demand is increasing as we move into a world that has high demand of technologies and within which new technologies such as renewable energies are being developed.
My research priorities and passions lie in addressing the global issue of decreasing rates of discovery of mineral resources whilst also developing more environmentally friendly methods of mineral exploration. I am addressing this problem by directing my research into developing new geochemical... Read more
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
MinEx CRC Project 8 Geological Architecture and Evolution, MinEx CRC, 01/01/2019 - 31/12/2021
MinEx CRC Project 3: Real-time downhole Assay, MinEx CRC, 01/01/2019 - 31/12/2021
MinEx CRC - Adrienne Brotodewo Geochemical signature of zircon in relation to mineral systems, MinEx CRC, 03/07/2019 - 31/12/2020
FIA021 Ind Ptnr – Characterisation and dispersion of hydrothermal monazite related to iron oxide-copper-gold mineralisation in South Australia, OZ Minerals Prominent Hill Pty Ltd, 31/10/2017 - 13/03/2019
Geochemical tools for mineral exploration
This project aims to develop data-driven geochemical exploration tools that demonstrably increase the geochemical footprint of mineral occurrences. Efforts have thus far concentrated on iron oxide-copper-gold mineralisation within South Australia, and use innovative approaches of sampling for specific mineral phases, cover sequence rock types and vegetation, and utilise extensive geochemical datasets that have been and will routinely be collected by the mineral exploration industry. This research is being extended to include additional mineral phases, rock and vegetation types that may host key indicator elements, as well as additional commodities, including Pb-Zn-Ag (sedimentary exhalative) and Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag-Au (volcanic massive sulphide) deposits in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Tennant Creek Cu-Au-Bi and basinal Cu-Au in the Northern Territory/Queensland and base metal mineral systems in the Cobar area of New South Wales. The aim is to develop a series of data-drive geochemical criteria that utilises multiple sample media (mineral phases, rock types, vegetation), historic datasets and data acquired in future geochemical sampling campaigns and that can be applied in exploration for multiple commodity types. This project is being undertaken within MinEx CRC Program 3:https://minexcrc.com.au/program-three-national-drilling-initiative/
Real-time downhole assay
This project aims to develop real-time downhole analytical technique(s) that will remove the reliance on materials returned from drilling, will have a small surface footprint and will be inexpesive to operate. The sensor(s) developed will either be deployed by the driller or will be automated within the drilling process. This will allow informed decisions to be made during a drilling campaign. This project is being undertaken within MinEx CRC Project 3: https://minexcrc.com.au/program-two-data-from-drilling/project-3-real-time-downhole-assay/
Postgraduate opportunities
Opportunities for postgrdaute research exist within the above two MinEx CRC projects. Go to https://minexcrc.com.au/education/education-program-2/ and download the postgraduate booklet to see the student research projects on offer.
Careers in geosciences
This cross-disciplinary project aims to understand the enablers and challenges of women attaining leadership levels within the academic, government and industry sectors of geosciences. This project is being undertaken in collaboration with colleagues in UniSA's School of Management. We hope to be able to understand these enablers and challenges to develop opportunities for current and future geoscientists and encourage diversity within decision-making levels.
Education through virtual reality
Working with colleagues in the Future Industries Institute, School of NBE and Project LIVE, I am developing modules for education of high school and university students in areas of geoscience that are otherwise difficult, if not impossible, to experience by a student body. We are particularly developing modules that will allow students to experience being on various drilling sites (e.g. diamond drilling, new technology coil-tubing drilling sites) that they would not be able to visit in their normal course of study due to safety and the remote location of most drill sites.
Research
Research since 2008 is shown below. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
Year | Output |
---|---|
2020 |
6
|
2020 |
Open access
1
11
|
2020 |
2
2
3
|
2018 |
Open access
12
11
|
2015 |
8
8
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2020 |
6
|
2020 |
|
2020 |
2
|
2020 |
9
|
2020 |
Open access
1
11
|
2020 |
2
2
3
|
2020 |
4
|
2020 |
Open access
|
2019 |
1
1
4
|
2018 |
6
5
1
|
2018 |
Open access
7
7
2
|
2018 |
Open access
4
3
8
|
2018 |
Open access
12
11
|
2018 |
Open access
2
2
|
2018 |
Open access
1
1
|
2017 |
5
5
|
2016 |
|
2016 |
Open access
98
93
1
|
2015 |
8
8
|
2014 |
40
55
|
2012 |
31
30
|
2011 |
36
36
|
2009 |
Open access
73
74
|
2008 |
31
31
|
2008 |
46
45
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2019 |
Open access
|
2015 |
|
MOD. Blog
https://mod.org.au/2019/02/21/whats-in-our-dust/
This is a quirky and fun project that I did with UniSA's MOD. museum looking at whether we could detect the presence of extra-terrestrial material within samples collected from the top of the buiilding that hosts MOD.
Research
We all need metals - we wouldn't be looking at this website if we didn't have them as they are in our laptops, mobile phones, in the seat we are sitting on. This means we need mines so that we can extract metals. This also means that metals are in demand... and this demand is increasing as we move into a world that has high demand of technologies and within which new technologies such as renewable energies are being developed.
My research priorities and passions lie in addressing the global issue of decreasing rates of discovery of mineral resources whilst also developing more environmentally friendly methods of mineral exploration. I am addressing this problem by directing my research into developing new geochemical tools and drilling technologies for mineral exploration. This research is aligned with the MinEx CRC since mid-2018, and prior to then the Deep Exploration Technologies Corporative Research Centre (DET CRC).
I envisage my future research agenda as undertaking applied research into improving exploration and processing techniques across the minerals industry value chain to decrease the risk of targeting and to improve our ability to exploit known resources. This requires collaborative research between industry and academia and includes focus on processes of geochemical dispersion through integration of currently available and new geological datasets, and integration into exploration criteria and minerals processing.
Coordinator
MinEx CRC Education and Training Program
External engagement & recognition
Organisation | Country |
---|---|
Curtin University | AUSTRALIA |
Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre | AUSTRALIA |
Fractore Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
Geological Survey of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Geoscience Australia | AUSTRALIA |
GNS Science | NEW ZEALAND |
Government of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Greatland Gold PLC | AUSTRALIA |
Griffith University | AUSTRALIA |
Indian Statistical Institute | INDIA |
Macquarie University | AUSTRALIA |
Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
Nagoya University | JAPAN |
OZ Minerals | AUSTRALIA |
OZ Minerals Limited | AUSTRALIA |
PGN Geoscience | AUSTRALIA |
Primary Industries and Resources South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Texas A and M University | UNITED STATES |
Tokyo Institute of Technology | JAPAN |
University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
University of California, Berkeley | UNITED STATES |
University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
University of Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Southampton | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Tasmania | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
Engagement/recognition | Year |
---|---|
Committee MemberAustralian Geoscience Council |
2020 |
CoordinatorMinEx CRC Education and Training Committee |
2020 |
Editorial Board MemberAustralian Journal of Earth Sciences |
2020 |
FellowGeological Society of Australia |
2020 |
Guest Editor Special Issue: Mineral Exploration in Weathered and Covered TerrainsMinerals (Open Access Journal) |
2020 |
Guest Editor Thematic Issue: Deep Exploration Technologies CRCAustralian Journal of Earth Sciences |
2020 |
MemberMinEx CRC Executive Management Committee |
2020 |
Review EditorFrontiers in Earth Science: Economic Geology |
2020 |
Committee MemberAustralian Geoscience Council |
2019 |
CoordinatorMinEx CRC Education and Training Committee |
2019 |
Editorial Board MemberAustralian Journal of Earth Sciences |
2019 |
Finalist: Maths and Data CategoryWomen in Innovation Awards |
2019 |
Guest Editor Thematic Issue: Deep Exploration Technologies CRCAustralian Journal of Earth Sciences |
2019 |
MemberMinEx CRC Executive Management Committee |
2019 |
ChairDET CRC Education and Training Committee |
2018 |
ChairAustralian Geoscience Council Convention Big Issues and Ideas in Geosciences Day |
2018 |
Committee MemberMawson Medal Awards Committee (Australian Academy of Science) |
2018 |
Committee MemberDorothy Hill Medal Awards Committee (Australian Academy of Science) |
2018 |
Committee MemberAustralian Geoscience Council |
2018 |
CoordinatorMinEx CRC Education and Training Committee |
2018 |
Editorial Board MemberAustralian Journal of Earth Sciences |
2018 |
Guest Editor Thematic Issue: Deep Exploration Technologies CRCAustralian Journal of Earth Sciences |
2018 |
PresidentGeological Society of Australia |
2018 |
ChairDET CRC Education and Training Committee |
2017 |
Committee memberDET CRC Education and Training Committee |
2017 |
Committee memberGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2017 |
Committee MemberMawson Medal Awards Committee (Australian Academy of Science) |
2017 |
Committee MemberDorothy Hill Medal Awards Committee (Australian Academy of Science) |
2017 |
Committee MemberAustralian Geoscience Council |
2017 |
Editorial Board MemberAustralian Journal of Earth Sciences |
2017 |
Geoscience Committee MemberUNCOVER |
2017 |
PresidentGeological Society of Australia |
2017 |
Third Place, Frank Arnott Award (Experienced Category)Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada |
2017 |
ChairDET CRC Education and Training Committee |
2016 |
ChairAustralian Earth Sciences Convention |
2016 |
Committee memberDET CRC Education and Training Committee |
2016 |
Committee memberGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2016 |
Committee MemberMawson Medal Awards Committee (Australian Academy of Science) |
2016 |
Committee MemberDorothy Hill Medal Awards Committee (Australian Academy of Science) |
2016 |
Committee MemberAustralian Geoscience Council |
2016 |
Editorial Board MemberAustralian Journal of Earth Sciences |
2016 |
Executive committee memberGeological Society of Australia |
2016 |
Geoscience Committee MemberUNCOVER |
2016 |
Governing CouncilGeological Society of Australia |
2016 |
PresidentGeological Society of Australia |
2016 |
PresidentGeological Society of Australia |
2016 |
ChairDET CRC Education and Training Committee |
2015 |
Committee memberDET CRC Education and Training Committee |
2015 |
Committee memberGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2015 |
Geoscience Committee MemberUNCOVER |
2015 |
TreasurerGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2015 |
ChairDET CRC Education and Training Committee |
2014 |
Committee memberDET CRC Education and Training Committee |
2014 |
Committee memberGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2014 |
Geoscience Committee MemberUNCOVER |
2014 |
TreasurerGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2014 |
Committee memberGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2013 |
TreasurerGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2013 |
Committee memberGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2012 |
Walter Howchin MedalGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2012 |
ChairpersonGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2011 |
Committee memberGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2011 |
Research Project GrantOZ Minerals/Deep Exploration Technologies CRC |
2011 |
ChairpersonGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2010 |
Committee memberGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2010 |
Vice ChairpersonGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2010 |
Committee memberGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2009 |
Vice ChairpersonGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2009 |
Committee memberGeological Society of Australia SA Division |
2008 |
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
Thesis title | Student status |
---|---|
Development of a multi-proxy method to identify cover sequence rock packages using palynological, geophysical and geochemical signals | Current |
Generating synthetic data for training predictive spectroscopic models | Current |
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis for real-time downhole chemical assay. | Current |
Linking geophysics and geology through borehole data. | Current |
Resistate indicator minerals as an exploration tool for orogenic gold mineralisation: a case study from the Murray Basin, southeastern Australia | Current |
Zircon as a geochemical exploration tool for Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold deposits: a case study of the Gawler Craton, South Australia | Current |
Mineralogy and geochemical footprint of the Bulldog Shale and the Cadna-owie Formation, Eromanga Basin, South Australia: an example from the Prominent Hill deposit | Completed |