science team

Expert geophysicists, geologists, experimental geochemists, modellers and strategic advisors are investigating New Zealand’s supercritical conditions.

Meet Our Science Team

Isabelle Chambefort

Hydrothermal Petrologist; GNG Programme Leader
GNS Science

Craig Miller

Volcano Geophysicist; Project Leader - EXPLORE
GNS Science

Bruce Mountain

Hydrothermal Geochemist; Project Leader - UNDERSTAND
GNS Science

Brian Carey

Geothermal Specialist; Project Leader – INTEGRATE
GNS Science

Ted Bertrand

Geophysicist
GNS Science

Wiebke Heise

Geophysicist
GNS Science

Jenny Barretto

Geophysicist
GNS Science

Stephen Bannister

Seismologist
GNS Science

Cecile Massiot

Geologist
GNS Science

Sarah Milicich

Geologist
GNS Science

Nick Mortimer

Geologist
GNS Science

Warwick Kissling

Numerical Modeller
GNS Science

Colin Wilson

Volcanologist
Victoria University of Wellington

Thomas Driesner

Hydrothermal Geochemist
ETH Zurich

Olivier Bachmann

Volcanologist
ETH Zurich

Peter Rendel

Hydrothermal Geochemist
GNS Science

Lucjan Sajkowski

Hydrothermal Geochemist
GNS Science

Sadiq Zarrouk

Chemical Modeller
University of Auckland

Eylem Kaya

Chemical Modeller
University of Auckland

Aroha Campbell

Kaitiaki Consultant
Upflow

Simon Bendall

Planning Consultant
Traverse Environmental

Deborah Kissick

Planning Consultant
Traverse Environmental

Melissa Climo

Research Manager
Bridger Consulting

Chris Bromley

Geophysicist
GNS Science

Shane Rooyakkers

Geologist
GNS Science

Thierry Solms

PhD Candidate
ETH Zurich

Laura Seelig

PhD Candidate
Victoria University of Wellington

Dale Altar

PhD Candidate
University of Auckland

Siru Jylhänkangas

Masters Student
Victoria University of Wellington

Meet Our Advisory Group

Jeff Winick

GNG Advisory Group Member (Chair)

Bridget Ayling

GNG Advisory Group Member

Andri Stefánsson

GNG Advisory Group Member

Hiroshi Asanuma

GNG Advisory Group Member

Vala Hjörleifsdóttir

GNG Advisory Group Member

Research Organisations

GNS Science, Te Pū Ao, is New Zealand’s national institute of geological and nuclear sciences. As a Crown Research Institute, GNS Science works with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver science that is useful, useable and used. Through world-class science, we are focused on delivering economic, environmental and social benefits for New Zealand from natural processes occurring in the Earth’s crust.
Upflow matches talented consultants and their specialized skills to the needs of the developing geothermal market, partnering with geothermal developers, operators, researchers and communities. Expertise includes business development, geoscience, governance, project management, operational optimization, disruptive technologies, and strategic planning.
Traverse Environmental are environmental and planning consultants. Expertise includes statutory planning processes, environmental policy development, resource consenting, community consultation and project management for a broad range of projects throughout New Zealand.
Researchers from the University of Auckland in the GNG programme bring specialist expertise in geothermal reservoir engineering, modelling and characterisation, particularly simulation of reacting flows in porous and fractured media.
Researchers from Victoria University of Wellington in the GNG programme bring specialist expertise in volcanology, geochemistry and petrology, particularly in the physical processes involved in volcanism, and chemistry of aqueous fluids at elevated temperatures and pressures.
ETH Zurich (Switzerland) is a science and technology university. Researchers from ETH Zurich in the GNG programme bring specialist expertise on processes determining the origin and distribution of resources in the Earth's interior, including in magma reservoirs.
photo credit: tyler lastovich