Andrea
Giuliani
Andrea Giuliani is an isotope geochemist interested in solving any puzzle related to the formation and evolution of our planet with a focus on Earth's mantle and magmas derived therefrom. He is committed to helping our society in the quest for rare metals critical to the green energy transition including those associated with carbonate-rich and alkaline magmas as well as hydrothermal systems. He also loves to develop new laser-based analytical techniques and push the boundaries of existing ones to support colleagues in addressing their own questions while he learns about their science be it related to cosmochemistry, paleoclimate, crustal formation and deformation in subduction zones.
CV
Aug-2024 – present: Staff Scientist, Carnegie Institution for Science
Jun-2023 – Aug-2024: Senior Scientist, ETH Zurich
Jun-2019 – May-2023: Swiss National Science Foundation Ambizione Fellow, ETH Zurich
July-2016 – Jan-2017: Marie Curie-Sklodowska Fellow, Free University (VU) Amsterdam
Jun-2015 – Dec-2018: Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, Macquarie University (Sydney)
Jan-2015 – May-2019: Igneous Petrology Lecturer, The University of Melbourne
Jan-2014 – Jan-2015: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne
2020: ETH Zurich, ETH Grant
2018: Swiss National Science Foundation, Ambizione Fellowship
2016: University of Melbourne, John William Spencer Award
2015: European Commission, Marie Curie-Sklodowska European Fellowship
2014: Australian Research Council, Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA)
2014: Australian Academy of Sciences, J.G. Russell Award
Mar-2010 – Dec-2013: PhD, Earth Sciences, The University of Melbourne
Oct-2007 – Jul-2009: M.Sc., Geology, Sapienza University of Rome
Sep-2004 – Jul-2007: B.Sc., Earth Sciences, University of Turin
Research Interests
- Evolution of Earth’s mantle
Multi-faceted geochemical and isotopic investigation of mantle-derived magmas, informed by experimental and phase petrology, can provide robust constraints on the compositional evolution of the mantle including preservation of remnants of early Earth differentiation (Witnesses of Earth’s early history) and potential signatures of interaction between core and mantle.
- Global cycling of carbon and volatile elements
How have changes in global tectonic regimes and Earth’s surface conditions influenced the volatile inventory of the mantle mediated by plate subduction? Which processes can explain the surge in carbonate-rich volcanism during the last few hundreds of million years? Is there feedback between this change in the composition of mantle-derived lavas and evolution of life on the planet as we have previously suggested? See: Burst of animal evolution altered chemical make-up of Earth's mantle and Traces of life in Earth’s deep mantle.
- Petrogenesis of mantle-derived magmas
Utilizing the geochemical signatures of volcanic rocks to track their mantle sources requires a full understanding of the processes affecting carbonate and silicate liquids from source to surface. This can only be achieved by in-depth petrological and micro-chemical studies supported by robust experimental and theoretical knowledge.
- Formation of rare metal, diamond, gold and other ore deposits
The demand for rare metals is steadily increasing to comply with the requirements of the ‘green’ economy. While it is clear that these resources are associated with volcanic rocks enriched in carbon and alkalis, the chain of processes leading to the genesis of these deposits is incompletely understood, which hampers the development of optimal exploration strategies. Previously we have shown how petrology and geochemistry combined can improve knowledge of diamond deposit formation: Why olivine and diamonds are best friends
- Development of in-situ isotopic and geochronological methods
Combination of petrographic and micro-chemical characterization with laser ablation analyses provides isotopic and geochronological constraints without losing precious textural context. When multiple methods can be combined to extract information from the same analytical spot, new light can be shed on the origin of compositional variations in lavas as well as mineralized, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.