Alison Leitch

Dr. Alison Leitch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), within the Faculty of Science. Her academic journey includes roles as Assistant Professor (2000–2004), Post-doctoral Fellow (1992–1998), and earlier research positions in Australia, the U.S., and Canada. She holds a Ph.D. in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (1986) and a B.Sc. (Honours) in Physics (1979), both from the Australian National University.

Her research focuses on geophysics, magma dynamics, and environmental applications of geophysical techniques. Key areas include magma mingling processes, reducing spring detection in ophiolites, and geophysical exploration for mineral deposits. She teaches courses such as Electric and Electromagnetic Methods in Geophysics and Global Tectonic Processes.

Leitch has supervised numerous graduate students, including projects on the Fogo Island Batholith, Howley Basin hydrocarbon potential, and Valentine Gold Project. Recent collaborations involve coastal erosion monitoring in Bay Bulls and serpentinization studies in Newfoundland’s Tablelands.

Her work spans field, lab, and theoretical studies, with publications in journals like Journal of Petrology, Economic Geology, and Atlantic Geology. Current projects include geophysical detection of reducing springs and magma chamber dynamics modeling.