MSc Students
Aidan Wilton
Thesis title: The palaeoecological interactions and micro-scale variations between Name Group microbialites
Supervisor: Dr Rosalie Tostevin
Contact details: wltaid002@myuct.ac.za
Research interests: Geochemistry, palaeontology, palaeoecology and palaeoclimatology.
Zuko Qashani
Thesis title: Petrology and geochemistry of the Kareevlei diamondiferous orangeite.
Supervisor: Dr Geoffrey Howarth.
Contact details: qshzuk002@myuct.ac.za
Research interests: Kimberlite, orangeite, and lamproite geochemistry; Radiogenic isotope geochemistry; Subcontinental lithospheric mantle geochemistry.
Joshua Van Blerk
Thesis Title: Oxygen isotopes in megacrysts from the Monastery kimberlite
Supervisor: Dr Geoffrey Howarth
Contact Details: vbljos002@myuct.ac.za
Research Interests: Stable isotopes, kimberlites and igneous geochemistry
Tarryn Aucamp
Thesis Title: Petrogenesis of Olivine-phyric shergottite meteorites and the implications for volcanism on Mars
Supervisor: Dr Geoffrey Howarth
Contact Details: tarrynaucamp@gmail.com
Research Interests: Volcanology, igneous geochemistry, seismology, planetary science and GIS
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 a MSc through UCT in 2020 to further my education.
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