Personal profile

Overview

I am a Planetary Sciences PhD student in the Isotope Geochemistry & Cosmochemistry Group at The University of Manchester. My PhD project title is "The Age and Halogen Budget of Enigmatic Enstatite Chondrites". The project aims to date and quantify the volatile content of a rare class of primitive meteorite, the enstatite chondrites. These meteorites are believed to be some of the major building blocks of the Earth.

I have a broad interest in geology & planetary science. I am particularly interested in the formation of early Solar System material and the amalgamation and differentiation of planetary bodies. I hope to pursue these topics throughout my research career.

Prior to beginning my PhD I worked in the Oil & Gas industry for nine years. During this part of my career, I held a variety of roles including; exploration geology, development geology, operations geology, in addition to holding team leader roles for a variety of subsurface teams. I developed skills in; sedimentology, diagenesis & reservoir quality, well logging/petrophysics, geochemistry & basin modelling.

Teaching

2021 - Now

At the University of Manchester I am currently working/have worked as a teaching assistant on the following modules:

  • Natural Scientists Toolkit - Chemistry of the Earth (EART11200)
  • Meteorites and Planetary Materials (EART25202)

2012 - 2021

During my time in the Oil & Gas industry I directly supervised or worked closely with seven MSc students working on their MSc project at the University of Aberdeen or the University of Liverpool. The topics covered included basin modelling, diagenesis, sedimentology and production management.

2005 - 2010

During my school and undergraduate studies, I was a swimming teacher and lifeguard. I taught basic & advanced swimming lessons to all age group, with class sizes ranging from 1-20.

 

Media contributions and coverage

500 Queer Scientists

Find my contribution to 500 Queer Scientists at the link below:

https://500queerscientists.com/peter-mc-ardle/

Media contributions and coverage

The Cosmic Cast

(2022-2023) I was a co-host of The Cosmic Cast podcast here at the University of Manchester.

Memberships of committees and professional bodies

UK Planetary Forum (UKPF)

(2022-now) I am a comittee member of the UKPF. The UKPF is the representative body for UK planetary science. We aim to promote UK planetary science research.

Memberships of committees and professional bodies

Europlanet Early Career Future Research Working Group

(2022-now) I am a member of the EPEC Future Research Working Group. We aim to showcase upcoming developments in planetary science.

Memberships of committees and professional bodies

Advances in Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry

(2023-now) I am a member of the AGC media and branding team. AGC is a new community-led open access journal.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Education/Academic qualification

OUCert., Astronomy & Planetary Science, The Open University

1 Sept 201430 Jun 2016

Award Date: 30 Jun 2016

Master of Science, Integrated Petroleum Geoscience, University of Aberdeen

1 Sept 201131 Aug 2012

Award Date: 31 Aug 2012

Bachelor of Science, Geology, University College Dublin

1 Sept 200731 May 2011

Award Date: 31 May 2011

Areas of expertise

  • QE Geology
  • Sedimentology
  • Petroleum Geoscience
  • Petrology
  • Geochemistry
  • Cosmochemistry
  • Geochronology