Helen McCoy-West

Helen McCoy-West (Helen Cocker on OrcidID and Google Scholar)

Lecturer and Researcher in Geoscience

Economic Geology Research Centre (EGRU)

Originally from New Zealand, I became interested in science at school. A particular intrigue in dynamic geological processes like earthquakes and volcanoes lead me to study geology at university and ultimately become a geologist!

My main areas of interest are petrology, geochemistry, mineralogy, and geochronology, with a focus on igneous systems and ore deposits. My research primarily investigates the role of magmas in ore deposit formation.

My current research at JCU is focussed on:

• The geochemistry and geochronology of igneous rock suites in the Mt. Isa Inlier, predominantly in the Mary Kathleen Domain
• Stable metal isotopes in magmatic and hydrothermal systems

My previous research projects include:

• Mineralogy and geochemistry of epithermal Au-Ag deposits in New Zealand
• Mineralogical aspects of ironsands in New Zealand and how mineralogical variation affects the iron and steel manufacturing processes
• Geochemistry and geochronology of igneous suites associated with porphyry Cu±Au deposits to investigate the impact of sulfide saturation on porphyry formation

Other roles:

Geology major / Bachelor of Geology coordinator

Earth Science Major coordinator (Townsville)

Honours (Geology/Earth Science) coordinator

MSc coordinator

CSIRO STEM professionals in schools participant