Natasha Barrett

Natasha Barrett serves as a Guest Researcher in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in geological research within the Geology section. Her work bridges terrestrial and planetary sciences through advanced analytical techniques and field-based investigations.

Her research focuses on petrology and geochemistry of mantle-derived rocks, with significant contributions to understanding ultra-depleted mantle peridotites, boninitic melt relationships, and ophiolite complexes. She extends this expertise to planetary geology, particularly lunar science, where she investigates polar geology for Artemis mission planning, Shackleton crater formation, and resource accessibility at the lunar south pole. Methodologically, she employs LA-ICP-MS for trace element analysis and SIMS for isotope studies, establishing robust analytical frameworks for mantle and crustal materials.

Analysis of her publication record (2017-2023) reveals a strategic progression from terrestrial mantle studies toward lunar applications, with increasing emphasis on mission-critical planetary science. Her work consistently appears in high-impact journals like the Journal of Petrology and Planetary Science Journal, demonstrating interdisciplinary integration of petrological fieldwork, geochemical analysis, and numerical modeling. Collaborations span international institutions including NASA-affiliated researchers and Japanese geological teams, highlighting her role in global scientific networks addressing fundamental questions in Earth and planetary evolution.