School of Geographical and Earth Sciences

Prof Maggie Cusack

Maggie Cusack
  • Head of School (School of Geographical and Earth Sciences)

telephone: 01413305491/4224
email: Maggie.Cusack@glasgow.ac.uk


From 1 Aug 2011 Office:- East Quad  317; Gregory Building 512

My central research focus is on biominerals – such as shells, bones and corals. The ultimate aim of my research is to understand biological control in the context of mineral formation. This understanding contributes to three main research areas:

  • Nature produces biominerals that are light and strong functional structures. There is, therefore, a drive to mimic and improve on biology’s approach and this requires that we understand the biological control of biomineralisation.
  • Another important characteristic of biominerals is the rich climate record that they entrap. In marine biominerals, this environmental record can be accessed via proxies of seawater temperature such as Mg:Ca and stable oxygen isotope composition (δ180). Such approaches also necessitate determination of biological and environmental influence on climate proxies.
  • Concerns over ocean acidification as a consequence of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, result in questions about how biomineralising organisms will cope, what their coping strategy will be and the identification of tipping points

Some of the analytical approaches that I employ are as follows:

Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) - Extracting crucial crystallographic data from biominerals at high spatial resolution

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) - Image, chemistry and crystallography (EBSD) of carbonate and phosphatic biominerals at the Imaging, Spectroscopy & Analysis Centre (ISAAC) of the School of Geographical & Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow. Contact Peter.Chung@glasgow.ac.uk for details of ISAAC Facility.

Microfluidics & Crystal Growth - Characterising rôle and function of biomineral proteins using crystal growth in microfluidics in order to understand their mode of action in control of mineral polymorph, crystal habit and ultrastructure

Material properties - Using nanoindentation to determine the material properties of biominerals and to identify relationships between material properties and mineral polymorph, crystallography, ultrastructure and organic content

Climate proxies - Identifying the influence of biology and environment on the seawater temperature proxies such as Mg:Ca ratios and δ180

Synchrotron Analyses - Tomography of biomineral structures and chemistry of climate proxies

Jump to: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1997 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1989
Number of items: 61.

2011

Pérez-Huerta, A., Dauphin, Y., Cuif, J.P., and Cusack, M. (2011) High resolution electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data in recent biogenic carbonates: implications for detecting the effects of diagenesis. Micron, 42 (3). pp. 246-251. ISSN 0968-4328 (doi:10.1016/j.micron.2010.11.003)

Neary, M.T., Reid, D.G., Mason, M.J., Friščić, T., Duer, M.J., and Cusack, M. (2011) Contrasts between organic participation in apatite biomineralization in brachiopod shell and vertebrate bone identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Journal of the Royal Society: Interface, 8 (55). pp. 282-288. ISSN 1742-5689 (doi:10.1098/​rsif.2010.0238)

Dalbeck, P., Cusack, M. , Dobson, P. , Allison, N., Fallick, A.E. , and Tudhope, A.W. (2011) Identification and composition of secondary meniscus calcite in fossil coral and the effect on predicted sea surface temperature. Chemical Geology, 280 (3-4). pp. 314-322. ISSN 0009-2541 (doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2010.11.018)

Balthasar, U., Cusack, M. , Faryma, L., Chung, P., Holmer, L.E., Jin, J., Percival, I.G., and Popov, L.E. (2011) Relic aragonite from ordovician-silurian brachiopods: implications for the evolution of calcification. Geology, 39 (10). pp. 967-970. ISSN 0091-7613 (doi:10.1130/G32269.1)

Lombardi, C., Cocito, S., Gambi, M.C., Cisterna, B., Flach, F., Taylor, P.D., Keltie, K., Freer, A. , and Cusack, M. (2011) Effects of ocean acidification on growth, organic tissue and protein profile of the Mediterranean ­bryo­zoan Myriapora truncata. Aquatic Biology, 13 (3). pp. 251-262. ISSN 1864-7782 (doi:10.3354/ab00376)

Pérez-Huerta, A., Cusack, M. , and Dalbeck, P. (2011) Crystallographic contribution to the vital effect in biogenic carbonates Mg/Ca thermometry. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 102 . pp. 35-41. ISSN 1755-6910 (doi:10.1017/S1755691011010036)

2010

Moureaux, C., Perez-Huerta, A. , Compère, P., Zhu, W., Leloup, T., Cusack, M. , and Dubois, P. (2010) Structure, composition and mechanical relations to function in sea urchin spine. Journal of Structural Biology, 170 (1). pp. 41-49. ISSN 1047-8477 (doi:10.1016/j.jsb.2010.01.003)

MacDonald, J., Freer, A. , and Cusack, M. (2010) Alignment of crystallographic c-axis throughout the four distinct microstructural layers of the oyster Crassostrea gigas. Crystal Growth and Design, 10 (3). pp. 1243-1246. ISSN 1528-7483 (doi:10.1021/cg901263p)

Freer, A., Greenwood, D., Chung, P. , Pannell, C.L., and Cusack, M. (2010) Aragonite prism−nacre interface in freshwater mussels Anodonta anatina (Linnaeus, 1758) and Anodonta cygnea (L. 1758). Crystal Growth and Design, 10 (1). pp. 344-347. ISSN 1528-7483 (doi:10.1021/cg901265x)

Cusack, M., Chung, P. , Dauphin, Y., and Pérez-Huerta, A. (2010) Brachiopod primary layer crystallography and nanostructure. Palaeontology, 84 . pp. 99-105. ISSN 0031-0239

Ji, B., Cusack, M. , Freer, A., Dobson, P.S. , Gadegaard, N. , and Yin, H. (2010) Control of crystal polymorph in microfluidics using molluscan 28 kDa Ca2+-binding protein. Integrative Biology, 2 . pp. 528-535. ISSN 1757-9694 (doi:10.1039/c0ib00007h)

MacDonald, J., Freer, A. , and Cusack, M. (2010) Attachment of oysters to natural substrata by biologically induced marine carbonate cement. Marine Biology, 157 . pp. 2087-2095. ISSN 0025-3162 (doi:10.1007/s00227-010-1476-7)

2009

Perez-Huerta, A., Cusack, M. , McDonald, S., Marone, F., Stampanoni, M., and Mackay, S. (2009) Brachiopod punctae: a complexity in shell biomineralisation. Journal of Structural Biology, 167 (1). pp. 62-67. ISSN 1047-8477 (doi:10.1016/j.jsb.2009.03.013)

Perez-Huerta, A., and Cusack, M. (2009) Optimizing electron backscatter diffraction of carbonate biominerals—resin type and carbon coating. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 15 (3). pp. 197-203. ISSN 1431-9276 (doi:10.1017/S1431927609090370)

Kamenos, N.A., Cusack, M. , Huthwelker, T., Lagarde, P., and Scheibling, R.E. (2009) Mg-lattice associations in red coralline algae. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73 (7). pp. 1901-1907. ISSN 0016-7037 (doi:10.1016/j.gca.2009.01.010)

Pritchard, J., MacKenzie, J. , and Cusack, M. (2009) The response of physical science post-graduates to training courses and the connection to their PhD studies. International Journal for Researcher Development, 1 . pp. 29-44.

Yin, H., Bozhi, J., Dobson, P.S. , Mosbahi, K. , Glidle, A. , Gadegaard, N. , Freer, A., Cooper, J.M. , and Cusack, M. (2009) Screening of biomineralization using microfluidics. Analytical Chemistry, 81 (1). pp. 473-478. ISSN 0003-2700 (doi:10.1021/ac801980b)

2008

Cusack, M., Perez-Huerta, A. , Janousch, M., and Finch, A.A. (2008) Magnesium in the lattice of calcite-shelled brachiopods. Chemical Geology, 257 (1-2). pp. 59-64. ISSN 0009-2541 (doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2008.08.007)

Perez-Huerta, A., Cusack, M. , Janousch, M., and Finch, A.A. (2008) Influence of crystallographic orientation of biogenic calcite on in situ Mg XANES analyses. Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, 15 (6). pp. 572-575. ISSN 0909-0495 (doi:10.1107/S0909049508026484)

Cusack, M., and Freer, A. (2008) Biomineralization: elemental and organic influence in carbonate systems. Chemical Reviews, 108 (11). pp. 4433-4454. ISSN 0009-2665 (doi:10.1021/cr078270o)

Cusack, M., Dauphin, Y., Chung, P. , Perez-Huerta, A. , and Cuif, J.P. (2008) Multiscale structure of calcite fibres of the shell of the brachiopod Terebratulina retusa. Journal of Structural Biology, 164 (1). pp. 96-100. ISSN 1047-8477 (doi:10.1016/j.jsb.2008.06.010)

Cusack, M., England, J., Parkinson, D., Dalbeck, P. , Lee, M.R. , Curry, G.B. , and Fallick, A.E. (2008) Oxygen isotope composition, magnesium distribution and crystallography of Terebratulina retusa. In: Harper, D.A.T., Long, S.L. and Nielsen, C. (eds.) Brachiopoda: Fossil and Recent. Series: Fossils and strata monograph series (54). Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, UK, pp. 259-267. ISBN 9781405186643

Cusack, M., Dauphin, Y., Cuif, J.P., Salomé, M., Freer, A., and Yin, H. (2008) Micro-XANES mapping of sulphur and its association with magnesium and phosphorus in the shell of the brachiopod, Terebratulina retusa. Chemical Geology, 253 (3-4). pp. 172-179. ISSN 0009-2541 (doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2008.05.007)

Cusack, M., England, J., Dalbeck, P., Tudhope, A.W., Fallick, A.E. , and Allison, N. (2008) Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) as a tool for detection of coral diagenesis. Coral Reefs, 27 (4). pp. 905-911. ISSN 0722-4028 (doi:10.1007/s00338-008-0414-3)

Perez-Huerta, A., Cusack, M. , and Zhu, W. (2008) Assessment of crystallographic influence on material properties of calcite brachiopods. Mineralogical Magazine, 72 (2). pp. 563-568. ISSN 0026-461X (doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.2.563)

Kamenos, N., Cusack, M. , and Moore, P.G. (2008) Coralline algae are global palaeothermometers with bi-weekly resolution. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72 (3). pp. 771-779. ISSN 0016-7037 (doi:10.1016/j.gca.2007.11.019)

Cusack, M., Perez-Huerta, A. , Chung, P. , Parkinson, D., Dauphin, Y., and Cuif, J.P. (2008) Oxygen isotope equilibrium in brachiopod shell fibres in the context of biological control. Mineralogical Magazine, 72 (1). pp. 239-242. ISSN 0026-461X (doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.239)

Perez-Huerta, A., and Cusack, M. (2008) Common crystal nucleation mechanism in shell formation of two morphologically distinct calcite brachiopods. Zoology, 111 (1). pp. 9-15. ISSN 0944-2006 (doi:10.1016/j.zool.2007.03.004)

Perez-Huerta, A., Cusack, M. , Jeffries, T., and Williams, C.T. (2008) High resolution distribution of magnesium and strontium and the evaluation of Mg/Ca thermometry in recent brachiopod shells. Chemical Geology, 247 (1-2). pp. 229-241. ISSN 0009-2541 (doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2007.10.014)

Cusack, M., and Freer, A. (2008) Biomineralisation: elemental and organic influence in carbonate systems. Chemical Reviews, 108 (11). pp. 4433-4454. ISSN 0009-2665 (doi:10.1021/cr078270o)

Cusack, M., Parkinson, D., Perez-Huerta, A. , England, J., Curry, G.B., and Fallick, A.E. (2008) Relationship between δ18O and minor element composition of Terebratalia transvers. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 98 (Parts ). pp. 443-449. ISSN 1755-6910 (doi:10.1017/S1755691008075671)

Cusack, M., Parkinson, D., Freer, A. , Pérez-Huerta, A., Fallick, A.E. , and Curry, G.B. (2008) Oxygen isotope composition in Modiolus modiolus aragonite in the context of biological and crystallographic control. Mineralogical Magazine, 72 (2). pp. 569-577. ISSN 0026-461X (doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.2.569)

Perez-Huerta, A., Cusack, M. , Ball, A., Williams, C.T., and Mackay, S. (2008) Deciphering the distribution of organic components in brachiopod shells by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Journal of Microscopy, 230 (1). pp. 94-99. ISSN 0022-2720 (doi:10.1111/j.1365-2818.2008.01961.x)

2007

Perez-Huerta, A., England, J., and Cusack, M. (2007) Crystallography of craniid brachiopods by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 98 (3-4). pp. 437-442. ISSN 1755-6910 (doi:10.1017/S1755691007079832)

Cusack, M., and Williams, A. (2007) Biochemistry and diversity of brachiopod shells. In: Kaesler, R. (ed.) Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part H. Geological Society of America, 2373 -2395. ISBN 9780813731360

Cusack, M., Perez-Huerta, A., and Dalbeck, P. (2007) Common crystallographic control in calcite biomineralization of bivalved shells. CrystEngComm, 9 . pp. 1215-1218. ISSN 1466-8033 (doi:10.1039/b708795k)

England, J, Cusack, M , Dalbeck, P, and Perez-Huerta, A (2007) Comparison of the crystallographic structure of semi nacre and nacre by electron backscatter diffraction. Crystal Growth and Design, 7 . pp. 307-310. (doi:10.1021/cg060374p)

England, J, Cusack, M , and Lee, MR (2007) Magnesium and sulphur in the calcite shells of two brachiopods, Terebratulina retusa and Novocrania anomala. Lethaia, 40 . pp. 2-10. (doi:10.1111/j.1502-3931.2006.00001.x)

Parkinson, D., and Cusack, M. (2007) Stable oxygen and carbon isotopes in extant Brachiopod shells: keys to deciphering ancient ocean environments. In: Kaesler, R. (ed.) Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part H. Geological Society of America, pp. 2522-2531. ISBN 9780813731360

Perez-Huerta, A, Cusack, M , and England, J (2007) Crystallography and diagenesis in fossil craniid brachiopods. Palaeontology, 50 . pp. 757-763.

Perez-Huerta, A, Cusack, M , Zhu, WZ, England, J, and Hughes, J (2007) Material properties of brachiopod shell ultrastructure by nanoindentation. Journal of the Royal Society: Interface, 4 . pp. 33-39. (doi:10.1098/rsif.2006.0150)

Williams, A., and Cusack, M. (2007) Chemico-structural diversity of the Brachiopod shell. In: Kaesler, R. (ed.) Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part H. Geological Society of America, 2396 -2521. ISBN 9780813731360

2006

Dalbeck, P, England, J, Cusack, M. , Lee, M.R. , and Fallick, A.E. (2006) Crystallography and chemistry of the calcium carbonate polymorph switch in M. edulis shells. European Journal of Mineralogy, 18 . pp. 601-609. (doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2006/0018-0601)

Dalbeck, P., and Cusack, M. (2006) Crystallography (electron backscatter diffraction) and chemistry (electron probe microanalysis) of the avian eggshell. Crystal Growth and Design, 6 . pp. 2558-2562. (doi:10.1021/cg068008t)

England, J., Cusack, M. , Paterson, N.W., Edwards, P., Lee, M.R. , and Martin, R. (2006) Hyperspectral cathodoluminescence imaging of modern and fossil carbonate shells. Journal of Geophysical Research-biogeosciences, 111 . (doi:10.1029/2005JG000144)

2005

Parkinson, D., Curry, G.B. , Cusack, M. , and Fallick, A.E. (2005) Shell structure, patterns and trends of oxygen and carbon stable isotopes in modern brachiopod shells. Chemical Geology, 219 (1-4). pp. 193-235. ISSN 0009-2541 (doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2005.02.002)

2004

Leveque, I, Cusack, M , Davis, SA, and Mann, S (2004) Promotion of fluorapatite crystallization by soluble-matrix proteins from Lingula anatina shells. Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), 43 . pp. 885-888. ISSN 1433-7851 (doi:10.1002/anie.200353115)

Williams, A, Holmer, LE, and Cusack, M (2004) Chemico-structure of the organophosphatic shells of siphonotretide brachiopods. Palaeontology, 47 . pp. 1313-1337.

2003

Cusack, M, Fraser, AC, and Stachel, T (2003) Magnesium and phosphorus distribution in the avian eggshell. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B-biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 134 . pp. 63-69.

2002

Cusack, M, and Fraser, AC (2002) Eggshell membrane removal for subsequent extraction of intermineral and intramineral proteins. Crystal Growth and Design, 2 . pp. 529-532. (doi:10.1021/cg0255624)

2001

Cusack, M (2001) Matrix proteins of eggshells assessed by mammillary ultrstructure. British Poultry Science, 42S . pp. 117-118.

Cusack, M, and Williams, A (2001) Evolutionary and diagenetic changes in the chemico-structure of the shell of cranioid brachiopods. Palaeontology, 44 . pp. 875-903.

Cusack, M., and Williams, A. (2001) Chemico-structural differentiation of the organocalcitic shells of Rhynconellate brachiopods. In: Brunton, C.H.C., Cocks, L.R.M. and Long, S.L. (eds.) Brachiopods Past and Present. Taylor and Francis, pp. 17-27. ISBN 0748409211

Williams, A, Luter, C, and Cusack, M (2001) The nature of siliceous mosaics forming the first shell of the brachiopod Discinisca. Journal of Structural Biology, 134 . pp. 25-34.

2000

Ramli, R., Cusack, M. , Curry, G.B. , and Furness, R.W. (2000) Morphological variation of chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from different skua taxa. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 71 (1). pp. 91-101. ISSN 0024-4066 (doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2000.tb01244.x)

1997

Cusack, M., Walton, D., and Curry, G.B. (1997) Shell biochemistry. In: Kaesler, R. (ed.) Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part H. Series: Brachiopoda Revised, 1 . Geological Society of America Inc., and The University of Kansas, Boulder, Colrado, USA, pp. 243-266. ISBN 0813731089

1993

Walton, D., Cusack, M. , and Curry, G.B. (1993) Implications of the amino acid composition of recent New Zealand brachiopods. Palaeontology, 36 (4). pp. 883-896. ISSN 0031-0239

1992

Cusack, M., Curry, G.B. , Walton, D.I., Clegg, H., Abbott, G., and Armstrong, H.A. (1992) An intracrystalline chromoprotein from red brachiopod shells: implications for the process of biomineralization. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Comparative Biochemistry, 102 (1). pp. 93-95. ISSN 096-4959 (doi:10.1016/0305-0491(92)90278-Y)

1991

Curry, G.B., Cusack, M. , Walton, D., Endo, K., Clegg, H., Abbott, G., and Armstrong, H. (1991) Biogeochemistry of brachiopod intracrystalline molecules [and discussion]. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 333 (1268). pp. 359-366. ISSN 0962-8436 (doi:10.1098/rstb.1991.0085)

Curry, G.B., Cusack, M. , Walton, D., Endo, K., and Quinn, R. (1991) Intracrystalline molecules from Brachiopod shells. In: Suga, S. and Nakahara, H. (eds.) Mechanisms and Phylogeny of Mineralization in Biological Systems. Springer, pp. 35-39. ISBN 4431700684

1989

Cusack, M., and Beynon, R.J. (1989) Preparation of affinity matrices with Eupergit c; an immobilised oxirane matrix. In: Angal, S. and Harris , R.B. (eds.) Protein Purification a Practical Approach. Oxford University Press, pp. 262-268. ISBN 0199636737

This list was generated on Sat May 26 22:39:02 2012 BST.

Large Grants from Research Councils & Charities

Yin, H. & Cusack, M. 2012-2014. Shell inspiration: turning nature’s secrets into engineering solutions. £100k  EPSRC.

Cusack, M., Phoenix, V. and Kamenos, N. 2011-2015. Biomineralisation: protein and mineral response to ocean acidification, £225k (The Leverhulme Trust).

Smith, B., Rhiele, M & Cusack, M. 2011-2015. Functionalised, sticky proteins to direct biomineralisation and cell adhesion. University of Glasgow Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith Scholarship to support a PhD studentship.

Balthasar, U. and Cusack, M. 2009-2012. The role of skeletal microstructure in evolution, €249k (Volkswagen Foundation). Co-Investigators: M. Aberhan (Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt University, Berlin).

Cusack, M. 2007-2008 Crossing the shell-bone divide, £100.5k (MRC Discipline Hopping Award). Co-Investigators: Professor William Fraser (Royal Liverpool Hospital).

Cusack, M., Freer, A.A.(Chemistry), Gadegaard, N. & Dobson, P. (Electronic & Electric Engineering). 2007-2011. Engineering novel bio-inspired materials, University of Glasgow Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith Scholarship to support a PhD studentship.

Freer, A.A. (Chemistry) and Cusack, M. 2007-2011. Understanding polymorph production and control in calcite/aragonite biominerals, £331k Co-Investigators: C Wilkinson & Nikolaj Gadegaard (Electronics & Electrical Engineering)

Cusack, M. 2006-2009. Crystallography for biology - as easy as EBSD, £326k

Cusack, M. 2006. Relationship between brachiopod shell crystallography and climate proxies such as isotopic and trace element composition., £17.4k (F/00179 Leverhulme Trust Visiting Fellowship for Dr Alberto Perez-Huerta.

Grants for Access to Facilities

Balthasar, U. and Cusack, M. 2009. Deciphering the evolution of calcite biomineralisation from organophosphatic ancestors in brachiopods using tomography, Grant-in-kind £15k (Swiss Light Source).

Cusack, M. & Dalbeck, P. 2008. Assessing the influence of biological control and low level diagenetic alteration of corals on seawater temperature proxies. Grant in kind of £25k. NERC Ionprobe Facility, Edinburgh (IMF 334/0508).

Cusack, M., Chung, P. and Fraser, W.D. (Royal Liverpool Hospital). 2008. High resolution 3-D structure of Paget’s & Alkaptonuria bone. £15k grant-in-kind (Swiss Light Source).

Kamenos, N.A. and Cusack M. 2007 Magnesium in coralline algae, £30k (Swiss Light Source, grant-in-kind).

Cusack, M., Perez-Huerta, A. and Finch, A. (University of St. Andrews) 2007. Magnesium in lattice of calcite brachiopods?, £25k grant-in-kind (Swiss Light Source).

Perez-Huerta, A. and Cusack M. 2007 3D calcite biomineral structures in brachiopod shells - insight into the cellular contribution to biomineralisation, £20k (Swiss Light Source, grant-in-kind).

Cusack, M. 2006. Disentangling biological, ontogenetic and environmental influences on oxygen isotope composition of brachiopod and bivalve shells., £25k grant-in-kind (NERC IIMP284/1006). Oxygen isotope and trace element measurements at NERC Ion Probe Facility in Edinburgh. Co-Investigators: P. Dalbeck & A. Perez Huerta.

Cusack, M. 2006. XANES mapping at the sulphur K-edge in carbonate lattice of marine invertebrates Awarded 12 shifts of beam time on beam line ID21 at the European Synchrotron Research Facility, Grenoble. European Science Foundation.

  • Penelope Donohue (PhD candidate) The Effects of Ocean Acidification on Marine Calcifying Organisms. MASTS Prize Scholarship with Nick Kamenos.
  • Vibhuti Desai (PhD candidate) Functionalised, sticky proteins to direct biomineralisation and cell adhesion. Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith PhD studentship with Brian Smith and Mathis Riehle, both of the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences.

My teaching is currently being covered by Dr Daisy Rood via a grant from the Leverhulme Trust. My usual teaching profile is as follows:

Level 1

  • Earth Resources for Environmental Science students (Lecture & laboratory course)

Level 2

  • Modern World part of Palaeobiology Earth Sciences Module (Lecture & laboratory course). 7 day field teaching on Arran

Level 3

  • Integrated Problem Solving

Level 4

  • Co-ordinate all aspects of laboratory projects
  • Organise poster session for general understanding of science
  • Contribute to Major Earth Processes Course

Researcher ID:             http://www.researcherid.com/rid/A-2532-2009

 

Prizes & Fellowship

2011      Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

2008      Awarded the Saltire Society’s Scottish Science Award for my work in Earth Sciences (2007).

 

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Head of School of Geographical & Earth Sciences, August 2011 – July 2015
  • Co-Chair of SAGES Exec Committee (2011/2012)
  • Member of the editorial board of
    • Chemical Geology
    • Earth & Environmental Transactions of the RSE
    • Palaeontology.

 

Conference Organisation

Co-convening the following sessions:

With Nick Kamenos of the University of Glasgow and Murray Roberts of Heriot-Watt University: The Response of Marine Calcifiers to Global Climate Change and Ocean Acidification.

http://www.sgmeet.com/osm2012/special_sessions03.asp

Oceans Science 2012 Conference, Salt Lake City, USA 20-24 Feb 2012. http://www.sgmeet.com/osm2012/

 

With Alex Gagnon of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab:

Biomineralisation and geochemical tracers of seawater composition

http://www.vmgoldschmidt.org/2012/t13.htm

Goldschmidt Conference, Montreal, Canada 24-29 June 2012.

http://www.vmgoldschmidt.org/2012/index.htm