MSc Students
Katleho Mathafeng
Thesis Title: Geochemistry of the Tongo kimberlite dike, Sierra Leone
Supervisor/s: Dr Geoffrey Howarth & Associate Professor Phil Janney
Contact details: mthkat012@myuct.ac.za
Research interests: Dimondiferous Kimberlites, Major & trace element analysis and isotope behaviour in transitional kimberlites.
Anton Viljoen
Thesis Title:The petrology and mineral chemistry of kimberlites from West Africa
Supervisor/s: Dr. Geoffrey Howarth; Associate Professor Phil Janney
Contact details:
Room 309, Geological Sciences building
Research interests: Kimberlites, Diamonds, Kimberlitic indicator minerals, Mineral chemistry, Exploration
Backround: I obtained my undergraduate and honours degrees from Stellenbosch University and graduated in 2016. I worked for Remote Explorations Services (RES) from the beginning of 2017 until the end of 2019 as an Exploration Geologist. After gaining valuable experience in the exploration and mining industry I decided to pursue an MSc through UCT in 2020 to further my education.
Chad Peel
Thesis Title: Understanding the mantle water cycle: Correlating Hydrogen isotope, trace element and radiogenic isotope variations in hydrous minerals from the Saltpeterkop Complex, Sutherland, Northern Cape
Supervisor: Associate Professor Phil Janney
Contact Details: plxcha003@myuct.ac.za
Research Interests: Geochemical evolution of the mantle through the study of mantle xenoliths and megacrysts, trace and isotope (stable and radiogenic) geochemistry.
Fiona Clark
Thesis Title: Thermobarometry and geochemistry of peridotite xenoliths from the southern margin of the Kaapvaal craton, South Africa
Supervisor: Associate Professor Phil Janney
Contact Details: clrfio001@myuct.ac.za
Research Interests: Kimberlites, deep carbon storage, geochemical structure and evolution of the continental lithospheric mantle, diamond formation
Guy Salomon
Thesis Title: An investigation into the geomorphology of the Hebron Fault, Namibia, using a high-resolution digital elevation model
Supervisor: Dr Alastair Sloan
Contact Details:slmguy001@myuct.ac.za
Research Interests: Tectonic geomorphology, high-resolution topography, active tectonics, seismology
Jessica Von Der Meden
Thesis Title:Palaeohydrology of Ga-Mohana Hill, Northern Cape, investigated through micromorphology and U-Th dating of tufas: relevance for Middle Stone Age occupation
Supervisor/s:Dr Robyn Pickering (Geology) and Dr Jayne Wilkins (Archaeology)
Contact Details:
Room 302, Geological Sciences, vdrjes001@myuct.ac.za
Research Interests: Quaternary Geology, Palaeoclimate, Stable Isotope Geochemistry, U-series dating
Stelvio Vaz Sidre
Thesis Title:The Stratigraphic and Structural Controls on Copper-Gold Mineralisation at Cassenha Hill, within the Archean to Paleoproterozoic Angolan Shield, Congo Craton, South Western Angola.
Supervisor/s: Dr. Lynnette Greyling and Professor Chris Harris
Contact Details:
Room 309, Geological Sciences
Email: stelviodayson@hotmail.com
Research Interests: I am interested in various aspects of Economic Geology, mainly in the use of Fluid inclusions, Sulphide thermometry, and Geochemical studies in the characterisation of ore deposits; Understanding of the factors/processes that play a role in the genesis of copper, gold, critical metals and PGE deposits. I also have a particular interest in Petroleum Geology, more specifically in the formation evaluation and petrophysical characterization of hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Organisations : Society of Economic Geologists (SEG); American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG); Golden Key International Honour Society.
Michael Kirchner
Thesis Title: Geochemistry and petrogenesis of olivine melilitites from Namaqualand, South Africa
Supervisor/s: Associate Professor Phil Janney
Contact details:
Room 407, Geological Sciences
Cell: +27 (0)79 567 9440
Email: mdkirchner@googlemail.com
Research Interests: Igneous petrology of alkaline rocks
Chelsea Rebelo
Thesis Title: Geochemistry and stable isotopes of layered kyanite-bearing xenoliths from Roberts Victor kimberlite, Kaapvaal Craton
Supervisor/s: Professor Steve Richardson, Dr. Beth Kahle and Professor John Gurney
Contact details:
Room 309, Geological Science,
Email1: rblche001@myuct.ac.za
LinkedIn: Chelsea Rebelo
ResearchGate: Chelsea Rebelo
Blog: http://talkgeosci.wordpress.com
Organisations:
Postgrad Science Students' Council- Administration
GSSA Western Cape Branch: UCT, Departmental Representative
Travis Smithard
Thesis Title: Tectonic and structural evolution of the Southern Outeniqua Basin, constrained by the interpretation of industry 2D seismic data
Supervisor/s: Dr. Beth Kahle
Contact details:
Room 407, Geological Science
Email: SMTTRA009@myuct.ac.za
'My passion in geology is for the exploration and exploitation of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon energy sources'