Virginia Ettwein
I am part of the department's team of technical specialists. I oversee the day-to-day operations of the Optics Lab containing a suite of research-grade petrological microscopes and imaging equipment, and advise and assist with rock sample prep across the Geofacilities Labs. I also help to run the ICP-MS and ICP-OES facilities.
A palaeoceanographer/ palaeoclimatologist/ micropalaeontologist by training, I have a PhD from UCL where I used isotope geochemistry and biomarker records from within deep sea fan sediments to reconstruct polar temperature gradient-driven variations in the South American Summer Monsoon system through the last deglacial. 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 palaeoreconstruction, 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.
