Natasha Barrett

Geologist | Research Scientist | National Geographic Explorer ’20

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

About

Geologist and geochemist with over a decade of field, laboratory, and research experience focused on Earth system processes. My research investigates how mantle-derived magmas transport metals from Earth’s interior, with broader interests in continental evolution and early Earth geodynamics. I have worked on ancient mafic–ultramafic systems in southwest Greenland and young volcanic arc systems in the southwestern Pacific (Fiji and Papua New Guinea), Australia, Canada, and Alaska. My expertise includes platinum-group element (PGE) geochemistry, mafic–ultramafic petrology, and the early stages of mineral deposit formation in arc settings. Ongoing Projects & Research Interests: • Mantle geochemistry, petrology, and critical metal endowment in the Canadian Cordillera (UBC-MDRU post-doc) • Re–Os isotope geochemistry and platinum-group element (PGE; Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pt, Pd) analysis integrated with petrology and geochemical modeling (MELTS, MCS) to investigate TTG-hosted mafic–ultramafic cumulates in southwest Greenland (Copenhagen Uni. post-doc) • PGE geochemistry and Re–Os isotopes applied to oceanic mantle peridotites and subduction-related ophiolites from Papua New Guinea (continued PhD research) • Isotope geochemistry of mantle xenoliths from intraplate and back-arc settings in Fiji (continued PhD research) • Laser ablation mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) applied to ultra-trace element analysis in silicate minerals (continued PhD research) • In situ zircon isotope analysis of lower-crustal granulite xenoliths (continued MSc research) • Thermodynamic modeling of melt productivity and lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) processes (CIDER 2023 UC Berkeley group project) • Planetary geology and lunar exploration, including the identification of geological sampling targets for upcoming crewed missions (Artemis IV) (NASA-LPI Internship group project) Key Skills: Mantle geochemistry · Isotope geochemistry · Petrology · Platinum-group elements (PGE) · Re–Os isotopes · Mafic–ultramafic petrology · Critical minerals · Thermodynamic modeling · MELTS · MCS · LA-ICP-MS · Xenoliths · Ophiolites · Volcanic arc systems · Lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary · Planetary geology · Lunar science

Experience

  • National Geographic Explorer '20 - Early Career Grantee (LEX-NG fund) at National Geographic Society
    Sep 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 11 mos

    National Geographic Society funded project: "Investigating the link between Earth's sub-oceanic mantle and volcanism in the Southwest Pacific Islands"

  • Post-doctoral Research Fellow at The University of British Columbia
    Mar 2023 - Apr 2024 · 1 yr 2 mos

    Post-doc research scientist within the Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU) and EOAS Department at UBC in Vancouver. My research primarily focused on metal endowment in the lithospheric mantle of western Canada, and how mantle and lower crustal processes are linked to the formation volcanic mineral deposits. This research was conducted as part of the BC Porphyry Project funded through the NSERC Alliance scheme.

  • Post-doctoral Research Fellow at Københavns Universitet - University of Copenhagen
    Jan 2021 - Dec 2022 · 2 yrs

    Post-doc specialising in igneous petrology, Re-Os isotopes, and platinum group element chemistry of Mesoarchean mafic-ultramafic cumulates of SW Greenland. Based within the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN) at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

  • Graduate Research Assistant (Arctic Resources Geochemistry Laboratory) at University of Alberta
    May 2018 - Aug 2021 · 3 yrs 4 mos

    My PhD focused primarily on highly siderophile element systematics in peridotite xenoliths (i.e. fragments of the Earth's mantle brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions) and tectonically emplaced sections of the Earth's mantle (known as ophiolites) to understand the geological evolution of the SW Pacific volcanic islands.

  • NASA SSERVI – CLSE Exploration Science Internship at USRA
    May 2019 - Aug 2019 · 4 mos

    This internship is a joint collaboration between NASA's Johnson Space Center and the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, Texas. Funded by NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) and the Centre for Lunar Science and Exploration (CLSE). During this internship, I was specifically involved in the geological objectives for upcoming crew-based lunar missions, including the Orion Spacecraft and Lunar Gateway Project. Internship publications: 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2020.113992 2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2020.05.035 3. https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/aca590 Links: https://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/2019-exploration-science-summer-intern-program/ https://nesf2019.arc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/4_Kring_ESF2019_PreparingForSeventhLanding.pdf