Christopher Ottley

Dr Christopher Ottley serves as Chief Experimental Officer in Geochemistry and Health & Safety Co-ordinator within the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University. With over 25 years of continuous service since 1995, he plays a critical technical and research support role in the department's analytical capabilities.

His educational background includes a BSc (Hons) from The Polytechnic Wolverhampton (1986) and a PhD from Essex University (1991), followed by postdoctoral research at Imperial College London (1991-1992) and Lancaster University (1992-1995).

Dr Ottley specializes in environmental analytical chemistry, with particular expertise in ICP-MS technologies for geochemical analysis. His research focuses on developing methodologies for trace element determination at low concentrations in geological materials, including rare earth elements (REE), platinum group elements (PGE), and other trace metals. His work spans diverse applications from geological provenance studies to medical research on platinum-based cancer therapies and environmental monitoring of volcanic ash and solar cell components.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on geochemical analysis techniques and their applications across multiple domains. His work demonstrates expertise in isotope geochemistry, trace element analysis, and analytical method development. Collaborative research spans archaeology, environmental science, medical applications, and economic geology, showcasing the interdisciplinary nature of modern geochemical research.

• Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry
• Chartered Chemist

Dr Ottley supervises research students including Christina Koureta, providing guidance on analytical techniques and geochemical methodology. His technical expertise supports numerous research projects across the Department of Earth Sciences and with external collaborators at institutions including Newcastle University Cancer Research Group and Leicester University's Cancer Biomarkers and Prevention Group.

As Chief Experimental Officer, he manages the geochemistry laboratory facilities and ensures health and safety compliance for analytical work. His role is central to the department's analytical capabilities, enabling high-quality research through advanced instrumentation and methodological expertise.