Assistant Professor of Economic Geology, University of Toronto

Sitting at the top of the erupting Mt. Yasur volcano in Vanuatu during field research for my PhD.

Brief biography

I grew up in the western Canadian prairies. After finishing a B.Sc. (Hon) degree in geology at Brandon University, I obtained a M.Sc. in Geology at the University of New Brunswick, where my research focused on Li-Nb-Ta resources in Canada’s far north. . From there, I decided that I was ready for a new adventure, and so I began working in modern oceanic environments studying the formation of metal-rich hot springs in the deep sea (AKA seafloor massive sulfide deposits or black smoker chimneys). I completed my PhD in Geology at the University of Ottawa (Canada) and spent time at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel, Germany. My research focuses on remote waters in the western Pacific (Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Guam, Fiji, Tonga), where I seek to unravel the relationships between plate tectonics, submarine volcanoes, and hydrothermal ore formation. This involves going to sea on research expeditions and sending autonomous and remotely-operated vehicles to the seafloor to collect samples, geophysical data, and imagery. I joined the Earth Sciences Department at the University of Toronto in August 2018 as an Assistant Professor of Economic Geology (tenure-track). 

Where did you grow up?

Medicine Hat, Alberta

Why are you interested in Geology?

I love the applied nature of geology, where I get to use chemistry, physics, and even sometimes biology, to unravel the history of our planet. I also love the sense of exploration that comes with geology, especially when I am working in remote locations or exploring for deep-sea volcanoes and hydrothermal vents (hot springs) in the western Pacific.

How did you become interested in Geology?

Before taking my first Introduction to Geology course, I had no idea what geology is or what a geologist does. I enrolled in that course because the calendar description mentioned volcanoes and earthquakes, which I thought sounded exciting. About two weeks into my first course, I knew that geology was something that I could be passionate about for the rest of my life. The professor (Simon Pattison) made it clear that this was a field where there were lots of options for different kinds of jobs in different industry, government, or academic institutions. Now, as I teach introductory geology courses myself, I try to emulate what my BU professors did to engage my interest.

Role of BU Geology?

I am incredibly lucky that I studied geology at BU. The small class sizes made it easy to get to know my professors, who provided advice and encouragement for me to seek work experience, apply for scholarships, and enroll in grad school. The department did an incredible job making sure students were aware of summer job opportunities in geology, which gave me the insight to understand which field of geology I wanted to study (= ore deposits). The excellent teaching and lab facilities also helped me to achieve high grades and create a competitive CV, which opened many doors for me to follow an academic career path to become a professor myself. Finally, the low cost of tuition and living in Brandon made it possible for me to afford to get a degree coming from a low-income background. My degree was mostly paid for through scholarships and saving money from summer geology jobs, which would not have been possible in a larger city.

Any sage advice for prospective high school students?

Most students will change their university degree program after one year. This is a normal part of the process to figure out what discipline you are most passionate about. Plan on taking as many different courses as you can in your first year. Instead of “deciding” what path you will take for the rest of your life, think of it as finding your path naturally through exploration and experience.