2024 SEG Student Chapter Earth Day Symposium

Christopher Jackson

Director of Sustainable Geoscience, Jacobs

Christopher is Director of Sustainable Geoscience at the engineering consultancy Jacobs and Visiting Professor of Basin Analysis at Imperial College London. Chris works in the general area of sedimentary basin analysis. When not studying rocks, Chris gives geoscience lectures to the public and in schools, having appeared on several, Earth Science-focused, television productions and podcasts. Chris is engaged in efforts to improve equality, diversity, and inclusivity in various areas of science and society.

Stephen Piercey

2024 SEG President

Stephen obtained B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada) and a Ph.D. from the Mineral Deposit Research Unit at the University of British Columbia (Canada). From 2001 to 2008 he was an assistant and associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and Mineral Exploration Research Centre at Laurentian University (where he is still an adjunct professor). From 2007 to 2009 he was a full-time consulting geologist and the principal of SJPGeoConsulting, and since 2009 he has been at Memorial University where he was previously the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)-Altius Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Deposits (2009–2016) and currently holds the rank of University Research Professor. His research, teaching, and consulting interests involve integrated field- and laboratory-based studies focused on the genesis of mineral deposits and the tectonic evolution of mountain belts, with emphasis on volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), orogenic Au, and U deposits. In recent years his research on VMS deposits has focused on their larger-scale tectonic and magmatic settings, with an emphasis on their volcanic, sedimentary, and hydrothermal reconstruction; sources of metals, fluids, and sulfur; and their relationship to the evolution of the lithospheric, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. He is also interested in applied mineralogy, exploration lithogeochemistry, applications of portable geochemical and mineralogical instrumentation in geoscience research and industrial applications, the tectonostratigraphic evolution of mountain belts, knowledge transfer between university and industry settings, geoscience communication, and mentorship of students and early career professionals. He has previously served SEG on the Fellowship Admissions Committee (2005–2007, 2010), Graduate Student Fellowship Committee (2007–2014; Chair 2011–2014), Councilor (2009–2011, 2013), and Vice President for Student Affairs (2017–2020). He is also on the Editorial Board of Economic Geology (2008-present).

Taija Torvela

University of Leeds

Taija is a structural geologist and ore geologist from Finland and has worked in both academia and industry since 2000. After a period of consultancy work, and a Ph.D. at Abo Akademi University, Finland, she worked for Magnus Minerals, conducting volcanogenic massive sulphide ores exploration in Central Finland. She also worked as a structural geologist at Posiva, participating in the development of ONKALO, the Finnish nuclear waste depository site. In 2009, she embarked fully on an academic career when she gained a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. After Aberdeen and a brief de-tour to the University of Helsinki, she was appointed at the University of Leeds where she is now Associate Professor in Applied Structural Geology. At Leeds, Taija is continuing to pursue both fundamental and applied research interests in basement processes, deformation, and ore geology, using field mapping, 3D modelling tools, microanalytical, and geophysical techniques. Her particular interests in ore geology are in sedimentary basin-hosted mineralisation (cobalt, copper, zinc, lead), gold-silver systems (both orogenic and magmatic), and pegmatite ores. Taija is also actively engaging in various consultancy, geo-community, public outreach and EDI projects, e.g. public interest talks and articles, leading or participating in the design of accessible and virtual field trips, and hosting a YouTube Channel called "Our Metallic Earth."

Cate Larsen

Geologize Ltd

Cate is a geology communicator utilizing the connective power of the internet to bring geology to the masses. She's known as the Groovy Geologist on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where her content both educates and entertains audiences around the world. Offline, she speaks at libraries, museums, parks, and universities to share not only the wonders of geology, but the importance of having communication skills in the geosciences.

Amanda McCallum

Ignite Education Inc

Amanda is a geologist, prospector, communications specialist, educator and entrepreneur. She is the founder and president of Ignite Education Inc., a consultancy company specializing in geoscience education, outreach, communications and project management. Amanda is the author of the Minerals Guide Newfoundland and Labrador and the Women in Mining Career Connections Guide. She is also the principal author of Discovery Global Geopark's application dossier, in which she led this international project to secure Newfoundland and Labrador’s first UNESCO Global Geopark designation.

Amanda's 20-year career has included working with the private and public sector, including corporations, government, industry associations, not-for-profit organizations and boards. Her business, communications and public relations roles in the energy, minerals industry, economic development and tourism sector have provided leadership to support monitoring and analyzing issues in a changing social, economic, political and environmental landscape.

Previous work experience includes serving as Outreach Geologist with the Department of Natural Resources, Geological Survey Newfoundland and Labrador. During this time with the public service, she coordinated mining, minerals and energy related outreach, promotions and marketing initiatives, serving as the Chair of NL Mining Week, and founded and chaired the NL Women in Mining Forum. In 2013, she undertook a professional development assignment with the Strategic Planning and Policy Coordination Division, NL Department of Natural Resources to develop a departmental strategic plan.

Amanda's love for the outdoors inspired her to pursue a career in Earth science. It was the rocky hills, rugged coastline and inlets of her childhood hometown that first sparked an interest in geology. She has also served in numerous volunteer leadership roles, including Past Chair of the Board of Directors with Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC), Past President of the Canadian Geoscience Education Network (CGEN) and Past Outreach Director with the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences (CFES).

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science (Geology) and a Bachelor of Education degree, both from Memorial University and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Schulich School of Business, York University. Amanda is also a holder of the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

David Cooke

CODES

David is the new Editor of Economic Geology, having been an Associate Editor of the journal for 23 years prior to this new appointment. David is also currently the Director of CODES, the Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences, at the University of Tasmania. In collaboration with his students, postdoctoral research fellows and research colleagues, David has been researching hydrothermal and magmatic processes that lead to porphyry copper and epithermal gold ore formation since the mid-1980s. David's team have also been studying mineralogical and geochemical halos to porphyry and epithermal deposits for almost two decades, developing new geochemical exploration tools for the minerals industry, which was recognized with the inaugural AMIRA International Award for Geoscience Research Excellence in 2012. David received the Society of Economic Geologists' Thayer Lindsley lecturer award in 2005, the SEG Silver Medal in 2013, the Australian Academy of Science’s Haddon Forrester King Medal in 2018, the Association of Applied Geochemists' Cameron-Hall Copper Medal in 2020, and was the SEG Distinguished Lecturer in 2021.

Chanda Katotobwe

University of Zambia Student Chapter

Chanda is leading the charge as President of the University of Zambia SEG Student Chapter. With boundless energy, an insatiable curiosity, and a never say die attitude, he breathes life into all kinds of geology discussions. His comedic nature ensures there's never a dull moment around him. Join him at the Society of Economic Geologists 2024 Earth Day Symposium.

Liseli Kunda

University of Zambia

Liseli is a 4th year geology student at the University of Zambia. She is not only dedicated to her studies, but also strongly involved with the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). Her involvement with SEG began as one of the charter members of the SEG UNZA Student Chapter when the Society was introduced to the university in 2021. She is honored to be elected as the first UNZA chapter secretary and now proudly serving as the vice president.

Anne Thompson

Petrascience

Anne has 35 years' experience working in and consulting to the mineral exploration industry, including field work and applied mineralogy. Her company, PetraScience, a partnership with John Thompson, focuses on technology, sustainability, and innovation in the mining industry. She has volunteered over 25 years with the Society of Economic Geologists and has supported inclusion and diversity throughout her career by informal mentoring, supporting a variety of organizations, and helping to develop strategy.

Maxwell Porter

Chair of the SEG Students Committee

Maxwell is a first-year M.Sc. student in economic geology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada. His research focuses on the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of the Camp Creek Cu-Au-(Mo) Porphyry Deposit in British Columbia as part of the MDRU's (Mineral Deposit Research Unit) BC Porphyry project. Maxwell earned his B.Sc. in Exploration Geology at Cardiff University, where he investigated analytical methods testing soil geochemistry for gold exploration in Pembrokeshire, Wales. He has been an active SEG member since 2020, having participated in the Ronald E. Seavoy Student Field Trip Program (SFT-2022) to the Skellefte mining district in Sweden, and the Michael J. Fitzgerald Student Mapping Course (MJF-04) to New Mexico. Maxwell is currently the UBC SEG Chapter President, team member of the SEG Discovery to Recovery podcast team and the Chair of the SEG Student Committee. He is keen to highlight the opportunities that SEG provides to students and promote communication across the geosciences.