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Professor of Geochemistry, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge
Helen's research interests center around the application of non-traditional stable isotope systems to understanding the formation and evolution of planetary interiors. She is interested in topics such as accretion, core formation and the evolution of mantle redox state, isotopic tracing of depleted and enriched mantle components, element cycling and the oxidation state of subduction zones and the secular evolution of the Earth’s mantle.
Helen's research tools are the stable (naturally occurring) isotopes of the transition metals (elements such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel and platinum), geological samples of planetary mantles like volcanic rocks and meteorites, and high-pressure and/or high-temperature experiments that simulate the conditions inside planetary interiors. She is also interested in using isotope tools to unravel surface processes such biogeochemical cycles and weathering at high latitudes and the export of metals from subglacial meltwaters into rivers and oceans, something that will become increasing important in our warmining climate. In the future Helen hopes that we can also use these novel stable isotope systems to increase our understanding of how metals critical to the green energy transition can become concentrated in deposits near the Earth's surface. Her research is primarily funded by the ERC (Consolidator Grant 'HabitablePlanet' and, more recently, Advanced Grant 'EarthMelt') and NERC. Helen has also mentored a number of independent research fellows (IRFs) funding by programs such as the Humboldt Foundation and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and is always happy to mentor and support people with fellowship applications to come and work with her.
Helen's analytical work and isotope analyses are carried out using multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) in the clean lab geochemistry suite in Department. Much of her group's research uses the two Thermo Neptune Plus MC-ICP-MS instruments in our clean laboratories. As part of the 'EarthMelt' ERC project they will shortly be installing a new Thermo Neoma MC-ICP-MS instrument equipped with a MS/MS collision-reaction-cell. This instrument will enable them to carry out gas-phase reactions to remove interfering species on elements of interest and will be a new and exciting development in geochemistry.
