Virginia Ettwein
I am part of the department's team of skilled research and technical experts. I split my time between the Geofacilities SRF (where I oversee the Earth Sciences Optics Lab containing a suite of research-grade petrological microscopes and imaging equipment, and advise and assist with sample prep across the Geofacilities Labs), and the ICP Suite SRF (where I provide research and technical support for trace element analysis on the plasma instruments.)
A palaeoceanographer/ palaeoclimatologist/ micropalaeontologist by training, I have a PhD from UCL where I used isotope geochemistry and biomarker records from the Amazon deep sea fan to reconstruct deglacial variations in the South American Summer Monsoon. I also hold a MSc in Quaternary Science (joint UCL/RHUL; now known as Past Climate and Environmental Change) which involved extensive training in laboratory techniques and proxies for a wide variety of palaeoclimate reconstructions, and a BSc in Geography (UCL) with a focus on palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental change.
Prior to joining the Department in December 2024 I specialised in high-precision work throughout posts across acadaemia, private consulting (forensic geology), government national labs and industry.
