Gaining a love of the natural world through the lens of geology, has led to my passion for sharing its knowledge. Not something I expected to do across such an extreme range of audiences. I’ve presented at TED, appeared in an IMAX documentary, attempted Science Comedy for the Steam Room, and met Jemima and Little Ted when I appeared on an episode of Play School’s Science Time.

As a graduate student, and not without support and guidance from a diverse scientific collaboration, I was involved in groundbreaking (pun intended) scientific work demonstrating direct evidence that some of Earth’s oldest evidence for life thrived in hot springs on land — pushing back this record by three billion years — and supporting Darwin’s theory that life may have started in some “warm little pond”. Through my academic journey I learned that all life, from the simplest to the most complex thrives when it works in unison, as an interconnected community. It is only in this collaboration, and a diverse one at that, in which we flourish.

Along my life’s journey (perhaps in the pursuit of Ikigai) I’ve sought to find the subtle connections between all facets that create the world around us. This site acts as a culmination of my life’s work so far and an embodiment of my mission. My blog If these rocks could talk is an attempt to generate a fresh take on science within society and how we perceive and conduct ourselves as individuals within a collective for a contented, prosperous, and sustainable future. After all, we are in a unique place in time and space. Here you’ll find only ideas to contemplate and conversations to spark. Stay awhile, or simply pass through – all are welcome.