Personal profile
Research interests
- Palaeometallomics
- Mineral Surface Chemistry
- Reaction Kinetics
- Aqueous Geochemistry
- Environmental Mineralogy
- Kinetics
- Surface, Aqueous, and Environmental Chemistry
- X-ray and Particle Beam Techniques
Further information
- Radioactive Waste Management Ltd., “Rock Matrix Diffusion parts 1 and 2,” 2016-2021. Total award amount is confidential, Wogelius is PI for Manchester portion of study (£120 k).
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource beamtime proposal, "Origins of the Vertebrate Skeleton," 2019-2022. Wogelius, Manning, Sansom.
- EPSRC Joint RCEP/NDA, “Atomic and Macro-scale Studies of Surface Processes: Towards a Mechanistic Understanding of Surface Reactivity and Radionuclide Binding Mechanisms (The AMASS Consortium)”. Ryan (consortium leader, Imperial), £1.1 million total. Wogelius was PI for the Manchester portion of the grant (£550 k). 2011-2016.
Qualifications
BA (Northwestern University, Evanston IL) 1979
MSc Geology (University of Illinois, Chicago) 1984
PhD Geochemistry (Northwestern University, Evanston, IL) 1990
My group
Overview
Roy Wogelius is the Emeritus Professor of Geochemistry in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and is also affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Centre for Ancient Life (ICAL) and the Molecular Environmental Sciences Research Group.
Geochemistry seeks to use and develop chemical techniques for the study of Earth processes which are fundamental to our understanding of the formation of the Solar System, the evolution of life, and the sustainable exploitation of Earth resources by mankind. ICAL is a University of Manchester Research Institute established in 2014 to foster collaborative work across all fields related to evolution.
He is originally from Chicago and studied Geology at the University of Illinois (MSc), completed his PhD in Geochemistry at Northwestern University, and went on to do post-doctoral research at the University of Oxford (Earth Sciences and Nuclear Physics) and at Argonne National Laboratory (Chemical Technology). His research at the University of Manchester has especially focussed on developing synchrotron based methods for the analyses of mineral surfaces and trace chemicals (including radionuclides, organic compounds, and heavy metals) involving a range of natural materials. This research has flourished as part of an exciting and challenging decade long collaboration with physicists at Stanford University’s synchrotron facility and at the Diamond Light Source. Group research on the preservation of pigments in 120 million year old avian fossils was awarded a place as one of the top ten scientific discoveries of 2011 by La Recherche. As part of this ongoing research he was awarded a Blaustein Visiting Professorship at Stanford University. His teaching profile included advanced courses in kinetics, analytical methods, geochemical modelling, statistical applications, and environmental field studies. Roy retired in September, 2023 and was awarded Emeritus status upon retirement after a career of 45 years in the Earth Sciences. He continues to contribute to research projects in palaeontology, geology, and environmental geoscience.
Outside interests include international relations, etymology, impressionist art, music (from disposable pop to cerebral jazz), rugby, and baseball.
Email: [email protected]
Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms
- Energy
- Dalton Nuclear Institute
- Manchester Environmental Research Institute
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):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
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SDG 14 Life Below Water
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SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Direct Evidence That Microplastics Are Transported to the Deep Sea by Turbidity Currents
Chen, P., Kane, I. A., Clare, M. A., Soutter, E. L., Mienis, F., Wogelius, R. A. & Keavney, E., 15 Apr 2025, In: Environmental Science and Technology. 59, 14, p. 7278–7287 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Penetration of groundwater into crystalline rocks
Yardley, B., Wogelius, R. A., Mueller, T., Milodowski, A. E., Field, L. P., Ma, L., Metcalfe, R. & Norris, S., 30 Jun 2025, In: Hydrogeology Journal. p. 875–891Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Direct observation of degassing during decompression of basaltic magma
Bonechi, B., Polacci, M., Arzilli, F., La Spina, G., Hazemann, J.-L., Brooker, R. A., Atwood, R., Marussi, S., Lee, P. D., Wogelius, R. A., Fellowes, J. & Burton, M., 16 Aug 2024, In: Science Advances. 10, 33, eado2580.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Influence of common palynological extraction treatments on Ultraviolet Absorbing Compounds (UACs) in sub-fossil pollen and spores observed in FTIR spectra
Wang, T., Bell, B., Fletcher, W., Ryan, P. & Wogelius, R. A., 7 Mar 2023, In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Lasanius, an exceptionally preserved Silurian jawless fish from Scotland
Reeves, J. C., Wogelius, R. A., Keating, J. N. & Sansom, R. S., Mar 2023, In: Palaeontology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Projects
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ICAL: Interdisciplinary Centre for Ancient Life
Garwood, R. (PI), Wogelius, R. (PI), Sansom, R. (PI), Buckley, M. (PI), Chamberlain, A. (CoI), Manning, P. (PI), Egerton, V. (CoI), Sellers, W. (PI), Nudds, J. (CoI), Bulot, L. G. (CoI), Brocklehurst, R. (PGR student), Brassey, C. A. (PI), Keating, J. (CoI), La Porta, A. (CoI), Brocklehurst, R. (PGR student), Callender-Crowe, L. (PGR student), Wallace, E. (PGR student), Chester, J. (PGR student), Davenport, J. (PGR student), Tuley, K. (PGR student), Lomax, D. (Researcher), Reeves, J. (PGR student), Smart, C. (PGR student), Ferro, C. (PGR student), Karoullas, C. (PGR student), Heath, J. (PGR student), Dickson, A. (PGR student), Austin Sydes, L. (PGR student), McLean, C. (PGR student), Harvey, V. (PGR student), Jones, K. (PI), Peacock, C. (PGR student), Gordon, P. (PGR student), Oldfield, E.-M. (PGR student), Webb, E. (PGR student), Roberts, F. (PGR student), Savage, H. (PGR student), Chester, J. (PGR student), Jepson, J. (Researcher), Keating, J. (Researcher) & Schwab, J. (Researcher)
Project: Research
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PNAS (Journal)
Wogelius, R. (Assistant editor)
9 Dec 2018Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Editorial work › Research
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Tracking Biochemical Pathways through Deep Time
Wogelius, R. (Speaker)
3 Sept 2018Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
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XRF Imaging and Spectroscopy Applied to Ancient Life at SSRL
Wogelius, R. (Speaker)
11 Jun 2018Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
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Chemical ghosts: Imaging geochemical-palaeobiological interactions throughout Earth history.
Wogelius, R. (Speaker)
11 Apr 2018Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
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Rock Matrix Diffusion in High Strength Rocks
Wogelius, R. (Academic founder)
Sept 2016 → Mar 2018Activity: Consultancy, spin-outs, CPD & licensing › Consultancy & Services › Research
Datasets
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Data for: Spatially resolved X-ray imaging and molecular characterisation of sulfur and iron in organic- and sulfur-rich hydrocarbon source rocks.
Abubakar, Y. (Contributor), wogelius, R. (Contributor), Taylor, K. (Contributor), Coker, V. (Contributor) & van Dongen, B. (Creator), Mendeley Data, 10 May 2024
DOI: 10.17632/bgyfj9vbbz.1, https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/bgyfj9vbbz
Dataset
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Data for: Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy of Laser-Produced Basalt Melts for Remote Sensing Application
Morlok, A. (Contributor), Wogelius, R. (Contributor), Martin, D. (Contributor), Hamann, C. (Contributor), Joy, K. H. (Contributor), Weber, I. (Contributor), Stojic, A. N. (Contributor), Hiesinger, H. (Contributor) & Helbert, J. (Contributor), Mendeley Data, 9 Sept 2019
DOI: 10.17632/4nnb3tmbjz.1, https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/4nnb3tmbjz
Dataset
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UV-B-absorbing compounds in modern <i>Cedrus atlantica</i> pollen: The potential for a summer UV-B proxy for Northwest Africa
Bell, B. (Contributor), Fletcher, W. (Contributor), Ryan, P. (Contributor), Seddon, A. W. (Contributor), Wogelius, R. (Contributor) & Ilmen, R. (Contributor), figshare , 11 Jun 2018
DOI: 10.25384/sage.c.4131608.v1, https://figshare.com/collections/UV-B-absorbing_compounds_in_modern_i_Cedrus_atlantica_i_pollen_The_potential_for_a_summer_UV-B_proxy_for_Northwest_Africa/4131608/1
Dataset
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Raw palynomorph FTIR spectra under common extraction chemical treatments (HCl, KOH and acetolysis)
Wang, T. (Creator), Bell, B. (Creator), Fletcher, W. (Creator), Ryan, P. (Creator) & Wogelius, R. (Creator), University of Manchester Figshare, 17 Feb 2023
DOI: 10.48420/21931257, https://figshare.manchester.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Raw_palynomorph_FTIR_spectra_under_common_extraction_chemical_treatments_HCl_KOH_and_acetolysis_/21931257 and one more link, https://figshare.manchester.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Raw_palynomorph_FTIR_spectra_under_common_extraction_chemical_treatments_HCl_KOH_and_acetolysis_/21931257/1 (show fewer)
Dataset
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Machine Learning ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy Data for the Screening of Collagen for ZooMS Analysis and mtDNA in Archaeological Bone
Pal Chowdhury, M. (Contributor), Choudhury, K. D. (Contributor), Bouchard, G. P. (Contributor), Riel-Salvatore, J. (Creator), Negrino, F. (Creator), Benazzi, S. (Creator), Slimak, L. (Creator), Frasier, B. (Creator), Szabo, V. (Creator), Harrison, R. (Creator), Hambrecht, G. (Creator), Kitchener, A. C. (Creator), Wogelius, R. A. (Creator), Buckley, M. (Creator), Datta Choudhury, K. (Creator) & Pothier Bouchard, G. (Creator), University of Manchester Figshare, 20 Jul 2022
DOI: 10.48420/20298801, https://figshare.manchester.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Machine_Learning_ATR-FTIR_Spectroscopy_Data_for_the_Screening_of_Collagen_for_ZooMS_Analysis_and_mtDNA_in_Archaeological_Bone/20298801/1 and one more link, https://figshare.manchester.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Machine_Learning_ATR-FTIR_Spectroscopy_Data_for_the_Screening_of_Collagen_for_ZooMS_Analysis_and_mtDNA_in_Archaeological_Bone/20298801 (show fewer)
Dataset
Press/Media
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THE GUARDIAN: Terrawatch: could granite solve the hard problem of nuclear waste storage?
2/06/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL MEDIA: 3 million year old fossilised mouse reveals evolutionary secrets of colour
21/05/19
3 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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XINHUA: Research shows how dinosaurs took to skies as birds
24/03/17
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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THE GUARDIAN: Dinosaur tail trapped in amber offers insights into feather evolution
8/12/16
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert comment
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Metals From Bird Feathers May Help Reconstruct Dinosaur Colors
29/09/16
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research