About

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:

Bachelor of Geology coordinator

Earth Science Major coordinator (Townsville)

Honours (Geology/Earth Science) coordinator

CSIRO STEM professionals in schools participant

 

Teaching
  • EA2220: Minerals and Magmas (Level 2; TSV)
  • EA3130: Advanced Petrology (Level 3; TSV)
  • EA5048: Minerals and Magmas (Level 5; TSV)
  • EA5130: Advanced Petrology (Level 5; TSV)
  • EV3454: Natural Hazards (Level 3; CNS & TSV)
  • EV3606: Disasters, Communities and Planning (Level 3; CNS & TSV)
  • EV5454: Natural Hazards (Level 5; TSV)
  • EV5606: Disasters, Communities and Planning (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
Interests
Research
  • Igneous petrology
  • Economic geology
  • Magmatic and hydrothermal ore deposits
  • Geochemistry
  • Geochronology
Teaching
  • Natural hazards
  • Volcanology
  • Mineralogy and petrology
  • Geochemistry
Experience
  • 2020 to present - Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)
  • 2020 - Post doc researcher, James Cook University (Townsville)
  • 2012 to 2016 - PhD candidate, Australian National University (Canberra)
  • 2009 to 2011 - Research and teaching assistant, University of Auckland (Auckland, New Zealand)
Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles
Book Chapters
Other research outputs
Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Geoscience Australia - Contract Research

North Queensland Proterozoic Metallogenesis

Indicative Funding
$333,000 over 2 years
Summary
This project will assess the metallogenic potential of the Croydon and southern Etheridge provinces including their potential to host critical mineral resources
Investigators
Ioan Sanislav and Helen McCoy-West (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
critical minerals; metallogeny; mineral deposits; proterozoic Australia
Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current
  • A local perspective on cultural integration and complexity in the early historic period: 1st Millennium AD Archaeology in Northeast Thailand. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Understanding the geologic connection between Cape York and Zealandia: Insights from the Laura Basin (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Refining Tephrostratigraphic approaches in Deep Time through Glass Melt Inclusion and Isotopic Fingerprinting of Heavy Mineral Separates in Heavy Minerals (PhD , Primary Advisor)
  • The critical mineral potential of the Kennedy Igeous Association: petrogenesis, tectonic setting and metallogeny (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Investigating Global REE ion adsorption deposits to understand their genesis: Investigating trace element and REE stable isotope systematics. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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Similar to me

  1. Prof Paul Dirks
    Earth & Environmental Science
  2. Dr Ioan Sanislav
    Earth & Environmental Science
  3. A/Prof Carl Spandler
    Earth & Environmental Science
  4. Dr Alex McCoy-West
    College of Science & Engineering
  5. A/Prof John Carranza
    Earth & Environmental Science