Jarek Trela

Jarek Trela is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), with a primary appointment as an Economic Geologist at the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS). He holds a PhD in Geosciences from Virginia Tech (2017), an M.S. from Southern Illinois University (2013), and a B.S. from Illinois State University (2011).

His research focuses on critical and strategic minerals in Illinois, particularly rare earth elements (REEs) and fluorite occurrences linked to carbonatite-lamprophyre magmatism. Key projects include characterizing REE enrichment at Hicks Dome and investigating petrogenetic relationships between igneous rocks and mineral deposits in the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District (IKFD). Trela also explores sustainable mining practices, underground construction, and abandoned mine land reclamation.

Professional experience includes roles at Brierley Associates (2017-2021), Cornell University as a postdoc (2017), and international mineral exploration in Argentina, Alaska, and the Philippines. His work bridges academic research and industry applications, aiming to enhance domestic mineral security and green energy systems.

He collaborates with UIC students on fieldwork and graduate advisement, fostering ties between academia and geological surveys. Notable expertise spans igneous petrology, mantle plume dynamics, and Martian rock analysis.