Bruce Schaefer

Bruce Schaefer is an Associate Professor and Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Natural Sciences at Macquarie University. His research focuses on isotope geochemistry, mantle dynamics, and magmatic processes, with a particular emphasis on understanding Earth's tectonic evolution through geochemical and isotopic investigations. He leads and collaborates on projects such as the Macquarie University Planetary Research Centre and studies involving mantle composition, ophiolite complexes, and subduction zone processes.

• Projects:
  • Constraining organic carbon burial in ancient sedimentary environments
  • Building terrestrial planet composition models
  • Platinum group element mobility during serpentinisation

His research interests include isotope geochemistry (e.g., barium, osmium, and platinum isotopes), mantle recycling, tectonic setting analysis, and the petrogenesis of igneous rocks. Recent work explores topics such as the geochemistry of ophiolite complexes, mid-ocean ridge basalt composition, and the influence of plate slowdown on magmatism.

Publications highlight contributions to understanding mantle dynamics, crustal evolution, and the application of novel isotopic techniques. His work bridges field observations with laboratory analyses, addressing fundamental questions about Earth's interior and surface processes.