Ana-Sophie Hensler

My name is Ana-Sophie and I am currently working at the UnB as a post-doctoral fellow under the "Young Talent Fellowship" of the CNPq. My research project focus on the geo- and mineralchemical characterisation of the various archaic and proterozoic Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) of the state Goias in Minas Gerais. A major approach of this project will be the study of trace element distribution, possible intergranular zonation and solid inclusions of other gangue mineral phases in specific iron oxides using Laser ICP-MS. We will further make attempts to apply laser ablation geochronology method to the BIF-hosted hematite.In March 2014 I completed my PhD studies in "geochemistry/economic geology" at the "Center For Exploration Targeting" of the University of Western Australia (UWA) as part of a joint research project between the UWA and the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil. The overarching theme of my PhD thesis were the geochemical processes involved in the genesis of the itabirite-hosted high-grade iron ore deposits of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero (QF) in Brazil. We established detailed chemical trace and rare earth element fingerprints of the various iron oxide generations using LA-ICP-MS. Another major approach of my PhD studies was the analysis of oxygen isotopes of the different iron oxide generations in order to improve a hypogene-supergene fluid model of the iron ore genesis. During my PhD (and diploma) studies I have applied a wide range of chemical analytical techniques (SEM-EDS, EMPA, LA-ICP-MS, IR-MS, infra-red and visible light microthermometry) and collaborated with prestigious institutions (e.g. Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear, Brazil; University of Madison-Wisconsin, U.S.; CODES ARC Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits, University of Tasmania, Australia). I was further involved as teaching assistant in the preparation and assistance of several undergraduate and postgraduate courses (e.g. 'advanced ore deposits'/ mineral geoscience' at the UWA). I participated in numerous international conferences and was further awarded several competitive research grants and travel awards.In the future, I would like to continue to conduct cutting-edge research and apply novel techniques to the field of geochemistry and geochronology. I am particularly interested in mineral chemistry and the behavior of trace elements in iron oxides under changing fluid conditions and during alteration and transformation processes (e.g. goethitisation, martitisation).