Rachelle Kernen

Dr Rachelle Kernen is an industry-sponsored Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide's School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences within the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. She holds a prestigious Global Talent Visa and leads research in salt-sediment interaction, hydrogen storage, and geoethics. Dr Kernen has a MSc (2011) and PhD (2019) in Geology from New Mexico State University and The University of Texas El Paso, with industry-funded research experience in North America and Australia.

• Awards: CET Award for Research Quality (ECR), Superstar of STEM (2023-2024)
• Professional Roles: Chair of Hydrogen Society of Australia (SA), Committee Member of AAPG Carbon Capture Conference

Her research focuses on three key areas:

• Climate-linked salt-sediment interaction in the Flinders Ranges
• Hydrogen storage in salt basins
• Geoethical diversity initiatives in geological societies

Recent articles highlight UHS potential in Australian basins, salt basin roles in net-zero strategies, and evaporite dynamics. Dr Kernen actively promotes science via media, policy engagement, and outreach, contributing to over 20 public interviews and documentaries.

Grants & Funding: BP GeoEnergy, ARC Early Career Fellowship, CNRS Hydrogen Mobility (2023-2024). Supervises Honours/Master/PhD students in sedimentology, stratigraphy, and clean energy projects.