Function and Responsibilities:

Scientist in charge of the X-ray Diffraction Laboratory (B360) in section 3.5 (XRD Lab Section 3.5)

Organiser of the ’Interface Geochemistry" Seminars

Research Interests:

I aim to understand the parameters which control the viability and kinetics of fluid-driven mineral transformations in the sedimentary realm (See more). This line of research involves experimental work related to the alteration of Ca-carbonates and Ca-sulphates under experimental conditions mimicking diagenesis. With this aim, I use techniques which let me to characterise the chemical, textural and crystallographic features of the primary and secondary mineral phases before, during and after the replacement. These techniques include X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, mass spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, etc.

I am also part of the European project "Deep Purple" (European ERC Synergy Grant 856416; Deep Purple). This project studies what is causing the rapid darkening and decay of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Within this project, I am the mineralogist in charge of the characterisation of polar samples, studying the role of mineral phases in (i) albedo variation and (ii) the growth of microorganisms in the ice due to the release of nutrients such as phosphorus or iron.

Google Scholar - Pablo Forjanes

ORCID - Pablo Forjanes

Career:

2023 to date
Postdoctoral Researcher. Sec. 3.5 Interface Geochemistry. GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) Potsdam, Germany

2018 to 2022
Predoctoral Research Fellow (FPU17/01689). Department of Mineralogy and Petrology. Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). Spain

Education:

2018 to 2022

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lurdes Fernández-Díaz; Prof. Dr. José Manuel Astilleros García-Monge and Prof. Dr. José Miguel Nieto

Award: Prize for the best academic record of the 2017-2018 promotion.

Projects:

Project: DEEP PURPLE: darkening of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Reference: ERC Synergy Grant 856416
Dates: 2020-2025
Funding Agent: European Research Council

Project: Calcium carbonate dissolution-crystallization processes in surface and diagenetic environments (MOONLIT)
Reference: PID2021-125467NB-I00
Dates: 2022-2026
Funding Agent: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation

Project: Intercambio químico y evolución de texturas minerales asociados a reacciones de disolución-cristalización (MYRTLE)
Reference: CGL2016-77138-C2-1-P
Dates: 2016-2020
Funding Agent: Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO)

Awards:

2013, 2015 and 2016:  Excellence Scholarship of the Region of Madrid (Spain) for university students with an outstanding academic performance.
2016. Collaboration Scholarship in University Departments for Initiation in Research (Spanish Ministry of Education)
2017. National Award for Excellence in Academic Performance (Spanish Ministry of Universities).
2018. Extraordinary Prize for the Best Academic Record of the Master "Geology and Environmental Management of Mineral Resources” (University of Huelva)
2018. Prize for the Best Master's Thesis  (Spanish Mineralogical Society)

2018. FPU (Formación del Profesorado Universitario) Fellowship to do a PhD  (Spanish Ministry of Universities)
2019. Best Oral Communication Award at the Spanish Mineralogical Society Conference (SEM 2019)
2020. Fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Universities for Predoctoral Students to make Research Stays Abroad (Spanish Ministry of Universities)
2021. Best Oral Communication Award at the Complutense University 5º PhDay 2022.
2022. Second Prize for the best Oral Communication in the "Thesis in 3 minutes" competition, “Science and Engineering category”
2023. Extraordinary PhD Award