Uwe Brand

Uwe Brand is a Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Brock University, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, where he has held academic positions since 1980, rising from Assistant to Associate and then full Professor. He is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) and was awarded the Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence at Brock University from 2008 to 2010. He holds adjunct professorships at the University of Pittsburgh and previously at the University of Toronto and McMaster University.

• University: Brock University
• School: Faculty of Mathematics and Science
• Department: Department of Earth Sciences
• Rank: Professor
• Email: uwe.brand@brocku.ca
• Office: Mackenzie Chown D424

His educational background includes a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa, an M.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a B.Sc. from the University of Waterloo. He was an NSERC Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Waterloo from 1979 to 1980.

Uwe Brand's research focuses on isotope geochemistry, particularly stable and radiogenic isotopes, applied to paleoclimatology and paleoceanography. He investigates climate and environmental changes in ancient oceans, especially during major events such as the Permian-Triassic extinction and Neoproterozoic glaciations. His work employs brachiopods as sensitive tracers of marine environments, analyzing trace elements, REE chemistry, and isotopic systems. He leads international projects like BASE-LINE Earth, an EU Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network, which trains PhD students in advanced geochemistry. His research also includes diagenetic screening of carbonates, fluid inclusion analysis in halites, and atmospheric evolution studies.

The recent articles highlight a strong trend in using biogenic carbonates—especially brachiopods—as paleoenvironmental proxies. Research themes include ocean acidification impacts, mass extinction triggers, paleotemperature reconstruction via isotope thermometry, and secular changes in ocean chemistry. There is a clear emphasis on methodological innovation, such as triple oxygen isotope calibration and fluid inclusion analysis, to refine paleoenvironmental interpretations and distinguish primary signals from diagenetic overprints.

Scientific awards and distinctions include:

• FMS Distinguished Research Award (2017)
• FMS Experiential Education Leadership Award (2016)
• Brock University Chancellor’s Research Chair (2008)
• Distinguished Fellow of the Geological Association of Canada (1995)
• Past President’s Medal of the Geological Association of Canada (1990)
• NSERC Post-doctoral Fellowship (1979–1980)

He has supervised multiple graduate students, including MSc and PhD candidates working on Arctic brachiopod biogeochemistry and laboratory culturing of brachiopods under controlled conditions. His research is funded by NSERC and BUCCR. He has served as Editor-in-Chief of Chemical Geology (2010–2013), a grant reviewer for NSERC, NSF, and NERC, and a member of the editorial board for Carbonates & Evaporites and Chemical Geology. He is actively involved in international collaborations, including the ICS Subcommission on Carboniferous Stratigraphy, and contributes to global scientific initiatives like the EU’s Horizon 2020 program.

He is part of a 25-member international team of geoscientists in the BASE-LINE Earth project, which integrates academic and industrial partners to train the next generation of geochemists. His lab and research group focus on high-precision isotopic and elemental analysis using state-of-the-art instrumentation, contributing to both fundamental science and applications in energy and environmental sectors.