Biography
2019-present: Lecturer in the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge. Research focus on biomineral formation and geochemistry, with an emphasis on geochemical measurements and quantitative modelling techniques.
2016-2019: Research Fellow at the Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University. Worked with Steve Eggins and Michael Ellwood on reef-scale calcification dynamics, developing theory and software for high-precision pH and Alkalinity measurements in the field. Developed processing methods and software for LA-ICPMS data analysis (Branson et al., 2019). Derived mechanistic models to explain patterns in the boron geochemistry of calcite (Branson, 2018; Farmer et al., 2019).
2014-2016: Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Davis. Worked with Howie Spero and Alex Gagnon (U. Washington) to explore the role of intra-mineral organics on the structure and geochemistry of biominerals using Atom Probe Tomography, LA-ICPMS and SIMS techniques (Branson et al., 2016).
2010-2014: PhD Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge. Worked with Simon Redfern and Harry Elderfield on The Biomineralogy of Marine Calcifiers and Palaeoproxies, applying high-resolution chemical and structural characterisation techniques to improve our understanding of biomineral geochemistry (Branson et al. 2013, 2015a & b, 2018).
2009–2010: MSc in Oceanography, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton. Worked with Debora Iglesias-Rodriguez on changes in coccolithophore calcification and physiology in response to multiple stressors (Rouco et al., 2013).
2006–2009: BSc in Biology at the University of Bristol. Worked with Daniella Schmidt on changes in foraminiferal community structure across the K/Pg boundary mass extinction.
