I would like to highlight here some research fields that I’m interested in. Most of them developed over time, often related to projects, but all are also connected to my main motivation why I decided once to study physics: to understand the natural world and its processes fundamentally, expressed by mathematical equations and visualized in diagrams.
Geochemical-thermodynamic modeling
Although I was already interested in geochemistry and thermodynamics in general before my doctorate, this research field could catch quickly my interest and fascination, because it covers some very fundamental problems and questions of today’s geochemistry and economic geology concerning aqueous metal transport, fluid-rock interaction and the formation of hydrothermal deposits. As a coffee lover, one of the most fascinating and inspiring aspects of this field is that the same physical and chemical processes describe not only the formation of the already mentioned hydrothermal mineral deposits but also the formation of calcareous deposits in espresso machines and other water-demanding machines that we use in our daily life. I’m particularly interested in extending the current databases by adding more chemical elements and aqueous species which will lead to more accurate geochemical-thermodynamic simulations and a better understanding of hydrothermal systems within the Earth’s crust. Additionally, better geochemical-thermodynamic models of minerals deposits can improve their exploration by being more cost-efficient and environment-friendly.
LA-ICP-MS trace element analysis
Although I would describe myself more as a theoretician than as an experimentalist, I’m deeply fascinated by the trace element analysis based on LA-ICP-MS experiments. The development of PySILLS that started as my M.Sc. thesis project contributed massively to this impression and fascination. I feel myself welcomed and comfortable being part of this research field and community that I have already known on national and international conferences. In addition to the continous extension of PySILLS, I’m particularly interested in a detailed trace element analysis and its data interpretation based on machine learning techniques and bayesian statistics. Furthermore, I’m explicitly interested in the creation of educational content about LA-ICP-MS experiments and its analysis.
Geochemical and geophysical modeling of minerals and rocks
In comparison to the previously mentioned research fields, the fascination and passion for the geochemical and geophysical modeling of minerals and rocks based on the properties of their smallest constituents came of a self-chosen project that I’ve started as a M.Sc. student during the pandemic situation. This project and research field covers best my main motivation of being a scientist: the fundamental understanding of natural systems and objects, described and expressed by mathematical equations. I’m particularly interested in the application of machine and deep learning techniques on large datasets of geochemical and geophysical information of minerals and rocks.