معرفی
Professor David Selby is a distinguished geoscientist specializing in isotope geochemistry at Durham University's Department of Earth Sciences. With over two decades of academic experience, he has established himself as a leading expert in the application of the Re-Os isotope system to geological problems. His research spans economic geology, paleoclimate reconstruction, and the study of sedimentary systems, with significant contributions to understanding metallogenesis and Earth's historical climate changes.
Dr. Selby earned his BSc from Southampton University in 1994 and completed his PhD at the University of Alberta, Canada in 1999. Following postdoctoral research at the same institution, he joined Durham University in 2005, progressing from Lecturer to his current position as Professor. His academic journey reflects a consistent focus on developing and applying the Re-Os isotope system to diverse geological contexts.
Selby's research interests center on isotope geology applications to metallic ore genesis, timescale calibration, isotope stratigraphy, mass extinction events, paleoclimate, macroalgae, and the Anthropocene. He specializes in rhenium-osmium isotope studies of organic-bearing sedimentary rocks, sulfide minerals, and organic matter including macroalgae. His work involves developing laboratory techniques for extracting rhenium and osmium from geological samples, advancing methodologies in geochronology.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on applying Re-Os geochronology to diverse geological problems, including oceanic anoxic events, porphyry copper deposits, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and mineralization timing. His research demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches combining geochronology with structural geology, sedimentology, and climate science to address fundamental questions about Earth's history.
- William Smith Medal from the Geological Society of London (2025)
- Fellow of the Geological Society of America (2018)
- Durham University award for excellence in doctoral supervision (2014)
- William Smith Fund from the Geological Society of London (2009)
- Best Paper - Honourable Mention from the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (2003)
Professor Selby has supervised numerous doctoral students, including current PhD candidates Sirui Huang and Jennifer Taylor. His research has been supported by substantial grants including NSF-NERC Research Grant (2021-2024), Total Ph.D. Scholarships, NERC Catalyst Research Grants, and multiple industry-funded projects. He serves on editorial committees for the Journal of Geology and Exploration and the Society of Economic Geologists Fellowships.
His research is conducted in the Source Rock and Sulfide Geochronology and Geochemistry Laboratory and Arthur Holmes Laboratory, which form an integral part of the Durham Geochemistry Centre. Current research projects include investigating climatic change on the Greenland Ice Sheet, tracking marine excursions in Baffin Bay, and studying temporal constraints of magmatism and mineralization.
