MSc Students
Hunter Edwards
Thesis Title: A major and trace element, HSE, and multi-isotopic investigation of the Lower Zone, Bushveld Complex
Supervisor: Dr. Geoffrey Howarth
Contact details: edwhun001@myuct.ac.za
Research interests: Large Igneous Provinces, Layered Mafic Intrusions, planetary science, high temperature geochemistry, cosmochemistry, fluid inclusions
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 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
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'