2025-26
María Paula Estrella, President
mestrell@ualberta.ca
I’m Maria Paula, a PhD student from Quito, Ecuador, studying alkalic porphyry deposits with a focus on melt inclusions to understand magmatic and ore-forming processes. When I’m not in the lab, you’ll probably find me enjoying a good cup of coffee—chocolate and brown sugar notes, mid-to-dark roast (trust me 😉). I’m excited to revive our chapter and help connect students with the world of Economic Geology!
Megan Athey, Vice President
I am a PhD student working with Thomas Stachel and Graham Pearson. My research focuses on isotopes and inclusions within diamonds, specifically aiming to develop a method to measure hydrogen concentrations within diamonds.
Sreejita Chatterjee, Secretary
I am a PhD student at the University of Alberta. My research focuses on developing dating methods for niobium-bearing ore minerals, specifically pyrochlore and ferro-columbite. Besides my research, I enjoy socializing and dancing. If you are looking for someone to chat with, feel free to stop by my office.
Aithne Lawrence, Treasurer
I am a first year PhD student with Pilar Lecumberri-Sanchez. My research focuses on the relationship between Ag and Au mineralisation within the Keno mining district, central Yukon.
Juan Rodriguez, Outreach Collaborator
I am a Ph.D. student working with Pilar Lecumberri-Sanchez. My research focuses on fluid and melt inclusions in IOCG, five-element veins, and IOA deposits to understand the potential lithospheric control on base metals (Co, Ni, Bi, Cu, etc.) in the Great Bear and East Arm regions (NTW).
Pilar Lecumberri-Sanchez, Academic Sponsor
Pilar Lecumberri-Sanchez got her Licenciatura in geology at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain, and her PhD in geochemistry at Virginia Tech. She completed a 3 year Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship at ETH, Zurich and worked as a researcher for one year at University of Arizona. She is currently an associate professor at University of Alberta.
Tom E. McCandless, Industry Sponsor
Tom is a professional geoscientist with 30+ years of experience in mining and mineral exploration. He is skilled in cutting-edge approaches for the discovery of critical minerals, gold, base metals, geothermal and coal and has developed new exploration and ore deposit models through links with academia and mentoring students to work in industry.