Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Earth Sciences master's student in the Faculty of Science

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

After watching one too many volcano documentaries at a very impressionable age I knew I wanted to end up with a career that would let me research volcanoes myself. Studying geology in my undergrad only made me more passionate about the earth sciences and fascinated how understanding geology at the micro-scale reflects the large scale processes taking place in the Earth. Today, I am a graduate student in the Earth Sciences department, where my research focuses on the volatile geochemistry of Canadian volcanoes such as Qw’elqw’elusten / Mount Meager and Nch’ḵay̓ / Mount Garibaldi. With other research into probabilistic lava flow modelling in complex mountain drainage systems.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

It can be said that you can throw a dart at a board of topics and locations related to Canadian volcanism and hit something that has never been investigated. I chose to come to Â鶹ÊÓƵbecause I want to research these Canadian volcanoes, they are complex and interesting systems that still have lots of unanswered questions and room to explore new ideas.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

Through the last Ice Age, British Columbia has undergone extensive glaciation, including the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt resulting in more than 50% of volcanoes in the belt having interacted with ice in eruptive events. This has created the perfect conditions for quenching of erupted volcanic materials, where the crystal growth is stopped and the melt is rapidly turned to glass. In this process melt inclusions, small droplets of melt are trapped in the crystals during growth and preserve a snapshot of the pre-eruptive conditions and eruption dynamics. Using these melt inclusions I will investigate the geochemistry and evolution of volatiles in subglacial mafic volcanic deposits of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt. By characterising volatiles we can better understand pressure-temperature conditions in the belt, the magmatic evolution, past eruptive conditions, and possible precursory signals to increasing activity before an eruption.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Melt Inclusions.

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

Courses have helped me lay down the foundations for a solid understanding of geology which I have since applied to both my research and jobs in mineral exploration. These jobs also gave me the opportunity to reinforce concepts I learned in the classroom on a variety of rocks and deposit types. In addition I gained skills that just need to be learned on the fly and with mentorship like teamwork, fieldwork, logistics to a field season and how to be resourceful in remote locations where there is only the supplies you have on hand and the people around you. In addition, my experience in industry encouraged me to pursue graduate school because I want to have the skills to answer the questions I find about the rocks and processes I am observing.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

I have received the British Columbia Graduate Scholarship, which has helped me to be able to continue to be successful and focus on my research.

How do you approach networking and building connections in and outside of your academic community?

I always tell new Earth Science students that in our field, the professionals are just as nervous and awkward as you. But you have an in because everyone there are going to be excited about the rocks too. Just being friendly, open to new opportunities and being excited about the rocks is all you need to start building your network and truly meaningful connections with your community.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

Have hobbies in an array of interests, including having at least one that is low energy, one that gets you outside or interacting with other people, and one that lets you make something physical. I have found that being able to bounce between my academic life and one of these types of hobbies on rotation helps to maintain a balance on stress levels through the year.

Contact Madeline:madeline_rein@sfu.ca

Additional Links