Michael Jones

Dr. Michael Jones is a Senior Research Infrastructure Specialist in Synchrotron Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), working within the Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry & Physics. He is an expert in synchrotron-based X-ray techniques with extensive experience conducting experiments at major facilities worldwide, including the Australian Synchrotron. His work spans multiple disciplines from planetary science to materials characterization.

Dr. Jones completed his PhD in nonlinear optics at QUT in 2010 under the supervision of A/Prof Esa Jaatinen. He subsequently held an ARC Super Science Fellowship at La Trobe University with Professors Andrew Peele and Leann Tilley in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coherent X-ray Science, where he gained significant experience in Synchrotron Science. In 2014, he was appointed to the Australian Synchrotron, working as an Australian Synchrotron Fellow on the X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy beamline. In 2018, he joined QUT as a Research Infrastructure Specialist in Synchrotron Science.

Dr. Jones's research focuses on advancing synchrotron-based X-ray techniques, particularly X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy, X-ray Ptychography, and X-ray Imaging. His work has significant applications in planetary science, particularly in analyzing Martian geology through NASA's Perseverance rover mission where he contributes to the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) team. He also applies these techniques to materials science, electrochemistry, and biomedical imaging. His interdisciplinary approach bridges physics, chemistry, geology, and engineering to solve complex scientific problems.

Dr. Jones has made significant contributions to understanding Martian geology through the analysis of data from the Perseverance rover mission. His work on X-ray fluorescence and diffraction techniques has provided crucial insights into the mineralogy, geochemistry, and potential habitability of Jezero Crater on Mars. He has also advanced methodologies for X-ray beam characterization, sample preparation, and multimodal imaging that have broad applications across scientific disciplines.

• ARC Super Science Fellowship

As an Associate Supervisor, Dr. Jones mentors PhD students in projects related to synchrotron-based techniques and materials characterization. His collaborative approach is evident in his extensive publication record, which includes numerous interdisciplinary projects with researchers from around the world. He is actively involved with the Centre for Materials Science at QUT and contributes to major research initiatives involving synchrotron radiation and planetary science.

Dr. Jones works closely with the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) team on NASA's Perseverance rover mission, analyzing Martian geology. He also collaborates with researchers at the Australian Synchrotron and other international facilities to advance X-ray imaging techniques. His laboratory work focuses on developing novel methodologies for X-ray fluorescence microscopy and ptychography, with applications spanning planetary science, materials characterization, and biomedical imaging.