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Overview
Affiliations
AffiliationRoom numberTelephone
Senior Research Officer in the Department of Earth SciencesRm 138+44 (0) 191 33 42339

Biography

BSc. (Hons) The University of Leicester PhD The Open University, 1993 1994-95: NERC Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Durham University and NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory (NIGL). 1995-96: NERC Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Durham University. 1996-97: NERC (ODP) Postdoctoral Research Scientist, NIGL. 1997-98: NERC funded Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Durham University. 1998-00: PIMMS & Tracer Facility Manager, NIGL. 2000-01: Scientific officer, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol. 2001-Present: Senior Research Officer/Laboratory Manager of Earth Sciences University of Durham
Career Research Highlights
Nowell is a specialist in multi-collector plasma ionisation and thermal ionisation mass spectrometry. Much of his career has specialised in Lu-Hf isotope measurements applied to mantle samples, combining this approach with Re-Os geochemistry to provide powerful constraints on the origins of potassic magmas and pyroxenite lithologies in the mantle. Recently he has been developing methods for ultra-low (pg and below) Pt analyses in DNA extracted from anti-cancer drug therapy patients (with the Northern Institute for Cancer Research) and laser ablation sulphur isotope ratio measurements in DGT gels (with Lancaster Environmental Sciences School).
Research Interests
● Development and application of the Lu-Hf isotope system. ● Development of laser ablation and solution based analytical methodolgies using Multi Collector ICP Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) ● Methodologies for accurate and precise correction of atomic and polyatomic interferences during MC-ICP-MS isotope ratio measurements. ● Geochemistry of kimberlites and lamproites. ● Isotopic evolution of the mantle & crust
Teaching areas
Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry (Level 2: Chemical Tracing)

Research groups

  • Geochemistry Research Group

Publications

Chapter in book

  • J. H. Batey, T. Prohaska, M.S.A. Horstwood, G.M. Nowell, H. Goenaga-Infante & G. C. Eiden (2005). Mass Spectrometers. In ICP Mass Spectrometry Handbook. S. Nelms Blackwell. 26-116.
  • N. H. Gale, S. Stos-Gale, G. Nowell & R. E. Clay (2002). Archaeometallurgical research in the Aegean. In The Beginnings of Metallurgy in the Old World. Martin Bartelheim, Ernst Pernicka & Rüdiger Krause Rahden/Westf.: Verlag Marie Leidorf. 277-302.

Journal Article

Supervision students