I am interested in a wide variety of topics in Earth and planetary sciences. I tend to apply the principles of metamorphic petrology, as well as some structural geology and igneous petrology, to fields of geoscience where these principles have been somewhat neglected. This non-traditional application of petrology has allowed me to make unique contributions to the fields of economic geology and meteoritics/planetary science.

My research in Economic Geology has involved investigating:

(1) Redox processes in subduction zones, the mantle wedge and magma mixing zones in the lower crust.

(2) Sulfide partial melting during metamorphism.

(3) Platinum group element behaviour in a range of settings.

(4) The P-T-t-D windows for metamorphic generation of sulfur rich hydrothermal fluids.

(5) The upper P-T limits at which gold deposits can form.

(6) The behaviour of metals during silicate anatexis (melting of the deep crust).

An important aim has been has been to link the results of these studies with tectonic models for the genesis of orogenic gold deposits (relates to points 4 and 5) and felsic magma-related Cu-Au deposits (relates to 1 and and 6).

Meteorites Research: Since 2007 I have been leading meteorite collecting expeditions to Australian deserts, and we have now collected over 300 new meteorites including several rare finds. My students and I have been using some of these finds in our research, which has largely evolved out of my interests in metamorphic influences on sulfide minerals in ore deposits. Our recent research has included investigating:

(a) How ancient fossil micrometeorites preserved in Earth's oldest sedimentary rocks can be used to investigate the early atmosphere.

(b) The effects of post-impact metamorphism and radiogenic metamorphism on metal-sulfide assemblages and silicate partial melting in asteroids.

(c) The role of impacts in generating large accumulations of metal, which might allow rapid core formation in planetesimals. The role of immiscibility between liquid Fe-carbide and Fe-sulfide in controling the chemical evolution of silicate-bearing iron meteorites.

(d) Sulfur isotope systematics on Mars. Possible habitats for life on Mars based on what we see in meteorites and mcirometeorites on Earth.

(e) Thermal modelling of asteroids coupled with metamorphic principles to constrain their evolution.

(f) Redox processes in asteroids.