Dr Keyron Hickman-Lewis
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Overview
Overview
Biography
2019–2020 Research Assistant, CNRS Orléans (France) and Università di Bologna (Italy)
2021–2024 Aurora Research Fellow, Natural History Museum, London (UK)
2024–2024 Research Fellow, Imperial College London (UK)
Highlights
Correlative 2D and 3D microscopy of Earth's earliest traces of life: Hickman-Lewis et al. (2023, Geology)
Identification and characterisation of the oldest preserved traces of microbial life in Africa: Hickman-Lewis et al. (2018, Precambrian Research)
Development of the palaeo-metallome as a trace element biosignature with applications to the search for life on the early Earth and Mars: Hickman-Lewis et al. (2020, Scientific Reports)
BBC News story reporting our work on Earth's earliest traces of life: Life on Mars? Australian rocks may hold clues for Nasa rover
Qualifications
- M.EarthSci (Oxon.) in Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, UK, 2015
- Ph.D. in Sciences de la Terre et de l'Univers, CNRS Orléans (France) and Università di Bologna (Italy), 2019
Web profiles
Visiting posts
- Associate Researcher, Università di Bologna, Italy,
Professional memberships
2015–present Fellow of the Geological Society (FGS)
2021–present Council Member, European Astrobiology Network Association
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Research
Research
Research interests
- Co-evolution of Earth and Life in the Precambrian: can we constrain the emergence of major microbial metabolisms throughout the Precambrian and their relationship with changing sedimentary environments and ocean chemistry?
- Modern analogues of ancient ecosystems: How can we use extreme planetary field analogues most effectively to explain geological and ecological aspects of environments on the early Earth and Mars?
- Technique development: How can we harness non-traditional and emerging instrumentation and data treatment (e.g. chemometrics) to shed new light on the ancient fossil record?
- Planetary exploration: How can we effectively utilise space mission observations, including rover and orbiter datasets, to reconstruct past environments and habitability throughout the Solar System?
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Supervision and teaching
Supervision and teaching
Supervision
I welcome enquiries from prospective students and postdoctoral researchers who are interested in undertaking research in any of my areas of interest.
Teaching
Teaching modules
- Remote Sensing and Planetary Surfaces (SCES035H6)
- Geology of the Solar System (SCES072S5)