Dr. Christopher Spencer, PhD, PGeo

Associate Professor of Tectonochemistry
Co-Director: Queen's Facility for Isotope Research
Science Editor: Geosphere 

Research Interests/Current Research

My research broadly seeks to understand the formation, destruction, and secular evolution of the continental crust. Specifically, I am a tectonochemist with research that is rooted in fieldwork and utilises igneous petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology to understand orogenic processes and secular change. My current focus is using stable and radiogenic isotopes coupled to igneous geochemistry as a tracer for modern tectonic processes along with tracking the oxidation of the atmosphere and its reflection in the geologic record.

Supervising Information

I am actively recruiting students to join the Tectonochemistry Research Group at Queen’s and all interested students are encouraged to contact me. Current research projects include field work in the Oman ophiolite, North American Cordillera, Marianas, Northern Quebec, Southern Ontario, Eastern Brazil. Additional lab based projects with samples from NW Russia, W Australia, and S Africa are also available.

I am committed to building a diverse and inclusive research group, and students from historically underrepresented groups in STEM and non-traditional backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

Available PhD Position

Professional Associations

Geological Association of Canada (GAC)

Geological Society of America (GSA)

European Association of Geochemistry (EAG)

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

­Publications

See website: tectonochemistry.com

Return to Faculty