معرفی
Helen McCoy-West is a Lecturer in Geology specializing in Igneous Petrology and Critical Resources at James Cook University's Earth and Environmental Science department within the College of Science and Engineering. She is also a researcher with the Economic Geology Research Centre (EGRU). Her academic career includes teaching mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, geochemistry, and natural hazards at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, while also serving in multiple administrative roles including Master of Science coordinator, Geology major/Bachelor of Geology coordinator, Earth Science Major coordinator, and Honours (Geology) coordinator.
Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from The Australian National University (2012-2016) and an MSc from the University of Auckland (2008-2009). She holds professional recognition as a Fellow of Advance HE (2022) and previously as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014).
Dr. McCoy-West's research focuses on petrology, geochemistry, mineralogy, and geochronology with emphasis on igneous systems and ore deposits. She investigates the role of magmas in ore formation, particularly critical mineral deposits, using petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology to study the genesis of igneous rocks and their relationship to hydrothermal mineral deposits. Her work spans from regional to deposit-scale investigations of magmatic-hydrothermal systems and has significant implications for mineral exploration.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on ore deposit formation processes, particularly porphyry copper-gold systems and critical mineral deposits. Her work frequently employs platinum group element geochemistry as an indicator of sulfide saturation in magmatic systems, with applications to understanding ore formation. Recent research increasingly addresses critical mineral resources, including rare earth elements and vanadium, reflecting the growing importance of these materials for modern technologies. Her studies span multiple geographic regions including Australia (particularly Queensland), Chile, Papua Indonesia, and New Zealand.
- Fellow, Advance HE (2022)
- Associate Fellow, Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE) (2014)
Dr. McCoy-West actively supervises numerous research students at various levels, including eight current PhD candidates working on diverse projects related to mineral exploration, groundwater geochemistry, and geological connections between regions. She has received significant research funding through multiple projects within the Critical Minerals Trailblazer scheme, including as project lead for 'Optimising vanadium extraction and processing from the Toolebuc Formation through advanced characterization' and as co-investigator on several other critical minerals projects. Her research frequently involves collaboration with industry and government agencies to address practical geological issues impacting ore processing.
She is actively involved with the Economic Geology Research Centre (EGRU), participating in workshops and industry engagement days, and serves as chair of the Geology Industry Advisory Board at JCU. Her professional engagement extends to the Geological Society of Australia where she serves on the Specialist Group in Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology committee, and AUGEN, representing tertiary geoscience educators in the Australasian region.
