Christian is a senior scientist at GNS Science, New Zealand. His research focusses on volcanic rock petrology of the submarine Kermadec arc, north of New Zealand. Since September 2018, Christian spends a year at GEOMAR in Kiel, Germany as EU funded Marie Curie Fellow (project Goldtrace) to study the distribution of precious metals, such as copper and gold, in Kermadec arc volcanic glasses.

Fabio Caratori Tontini is a marine geophysicist at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science). He received a Ph.D. in physics from University of Pisa (Italy) in 2003 and joined GNS Science in 2009 after 6 years as research scientist at Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV-Italy). His research interests involve arc volcanoes and back-arc basins, seafloor hydrothermal systems and deep-sea mineral resources, computational geophysics and development of scientific software.This research is carried out using a variety of methods, including geological and geophysical investigations from different platforms (shipborne, airborne, AUV, ROV, drilling), geomagnetism, rock magnetism and paleomagnetism, potential-field data (gravity and magnetics), heat-flow data.

Stephen Piercey obtained BSc(Hons) and MSc degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada) and a PhD from the Mineral Deposit Research Unit at the University of British Columbia (Canada). From 2001-2008 he was Assistant and Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and Mineral Exploration Research Centre at Laurentian University. From 2007-2009 he was a full-time consulting geologist and the principal of SJP GeoConsulting, and since 2009 he has been at Memorial University where he currently holds the rank of Professor. His research, teaching, and consulting interests involve integrated field- and laboratory-based studies focused on the genesis of mineral deposits and the tectonic evolution of mountain belts, with emphasis on VMS, as well as orogenic Au and U deposits. In recent years his VMS research has focused on their larger-scale tectonic and magmatic setting, with an emphasis on their volcanic, sedimentary, and hydrothermal reconstruction, and sources of metals, fluids, and sulfur. He is a recipient of the Lindgren Medal (SEG), Gross Medal (MDD-GAC), Past President’s Memorial Medal (CIM), Howard Street Robinson Medal (GAC), and Hutchison Medal (GAC). The Association of Applied Geochemists Keynote Speaker