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Mr

Jeffrey Steadman

Senior Research Fellow

CODES ARC

Orcid identifier0000-0003-4679-3643
  • Senior Research Fellow
    CODES ARC
  • +61 3 6226 2547 (Fax)
  • +61 3 6226 5554 (Work)
  • School of Natural Sciences, CODES ARC, 111 Physics Building, Sandy Bay Campus, TAS

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Expertise

Geology
Mineralogy
Petrology
LA-ICPMS analytical techniques

Research Themes

Jeff's research falls under the University's research theme of Environment, Resources and Sustainability. His current project aims to equip the mining and metals industry with better targeting tools for 'hard-to-find' orebodies (i.e., those under surficial cover, a common issue in mainland Australia). Over the last few decades, new discoveries of gold, copper, and zinc resources have declined, and the grade of known ore which is being mined continues to decline as well. To mitigate these looming issues and improve the sustainability of mining, new or re-vamped methods of exploration are needed to help geologists locate and mine those resources which are either not known or known but currently uneconomical to develop. One such method of exploration is using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) to record and characterize the variations in trace element contents of hydrothermal minerals. A key focus of Jeff's current and previous research is the trace element contents of pyrite (FeS2), the most common sulphide in Earth's crust. Because of its ubiquity, robust hardness (6/10 on the Mohs scale), and resistance to weathering, pyrite is an excellent candidate to use as a guide in mineral exploration. Pyrite crystals record hydrothermal fluid activity by scavenging certain trace metals (e.g., Co, Ni, As, Te, Cu, Hg, and Au) from the fluid and growing a new layer with each fluid pulse, in an analogous fashion to tree rings marking seasonal growth. As the concentration of these metals is commonly too low for normal assay techniques, the LA-ICPMS system is the preferred method for ascertaining not only which elements are present in a given pyrite but how much (down to ppb, or parts per billion, levels) of each element is there, and where it is located in the crystal.

Through multiple case studies, Jeff's research demonstrates the value of pyrite geochemistry as a must-have tool for any serious explorer.

Collaboration

Jeff has collaborated with researchers from the University of Western Australia to map variations in S isotope compositions of various sulphides associated with ore deposits, in an analogous form to the trace element mapping that he and his colleagues have done and continue to do at CODES using LA-ICPMS technology. He has also collaborated with researchers at Curtin University in Perth, WA, on dating Archean black shales using Re-Os techniques on carbonaceous matter.

Current projects

Iron Oxide Copper-Gold deposits: Geochemistry and Geometallurgy
AMIRA P1249 - Exploring, characterising, and optimising complex orebodies – Integrated deposit knowledge to add value across the Mining Value Chain
Geochemistry and geochronology of Tennant Creek, Rover, and East Tennant IOCG systems

PROJECTS

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Showing page 1, grants 1 to 12 of 12
GRANT
Understanding the role of insulin in the healthy and type 2 diabetic brain
Diabetes Australia Research Program1 Jan 2023 - 30 Sep 2024
People funded by this grant: Premilovac D, Sutherland B, Cullen C, Foster C
Project Total: $69,955; The aim of this project is to determine whether insulin has vascular and metabolic effects in specific regions of the brain and whether these effects are lost with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This is pre-clinical work that will be performed in experimental rodents but the outcomes of the work will have wide relevance. Funded by: Diabetes Australia Research Program - Grant ($69,955); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Old brain cells perform new tricks to allow life-long learning
Australian Research Council23 Feb 2022 - 22 Feb 2025
People funded by this grant: Young K, Cullen C, Jolivet R, Blackburn N
Project Total: $428,000; In the brain, nerve cells transmit electrical signals more quickly and reliably when they are insulated. The insulating cells undergo small adaptive changes that speed up information transfer during learning, and the faster the electrical signal, the better the learning outcomes. This project aims to understand the signals that direct insulating cells to adapt and support life-long learning. In the longer term, this knowledge may be used to: develop interventions that improve learning and educational outcomes; counteract age-related memory decline and enable longer work force participation; develop strategies to circumvent the memory loss caused by brain diseases, or improve the design of computer hardware. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Discovery Projects ($428,000); University of Tasmania ($110,077).
GRANT
Myelin: wrapping up neural network function and behaviour
National Health & Medical Research Council1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2025
People funded by this grant: Cullen C, Makowiecki K, Favre-Bulle I
Project Total: $802,257; Identifying the biological causes of mental health disorders is critical for the development of effective treatment or prevention strategies. Neurons communicate via electrical signalling and the precise timing of this signalling is vital for appropriate information processing. Recent work by our team has shown that myelinating oligodendrocytes adapt to dynamically regulate action potential conduction speed, indicating that changes in myelin could have robust impacts on information processing in the brain. Altered myelin content in the brain has been linked to numerous neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These disorders also exhibit characteristic changes in functional network connectivity and information processing in the brain, suggesting that aberrant myelination may be a key underlying feature of maladaptive information processing and neurobehavioural symptom expression in these disorders. Our team will use innovative transgenic mouse and zebrafish models to determine how developmental myelination and myelin plasticity regulate information processing in the brain and contribute to the development of phenotypic behaviours associated with mental illness. Understanding the role of myelin in regulating brain function and behaviour will provide mechanistic insight into the aetiology of idiopathic mental health symptoms and could identify a new therapeutic target for their treatment. Funded by: National Health & Medical Research Council - Grant-Ideas; University of Queensland; University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Clinical safety assessment of rTMS application for the treatment of MS
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation1 Jan 2019 - 30 Apr 2021
People funded by this grant: Cullen C, Young K, Taylor B, Hinder M
Project Total: $16,000; Oligodendrocytes are brain cells that die in MS, but non-invasive brain stimulation (rTMS) can promote their generation in preclinical models of disease. This project will take an important role in the clinical translation of this treatment and determine whether this type of stimulation can be safely delivered to people with MS. Funded by: Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation - Grant-Project ($16,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
The pathological effects of Alzheimer's disease on axons
Dementia Australia Research Foundation Ltd1 Mar 2018 - 4 Jun 2022
People funded by this grant: Young K, Blizzard C, Cullen C, Sutherland B
Project Total: $90,000; Proposed PhD project investigating the role of amyoloid upon axonal dystrophies in the progression of Alzheimer's disease Funded by: Dementia Australia Research Foundation Ltd - Grant-Scholarship ($90,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Can cognitive training promote remyelination
Multiple Sclerosis Australia1 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2018
People funded by this grant: Cullen C
Project Total: $25,000; Our research aims to identify physiological stimuli that can promote oligodendrocyte addition and augment the repair of lost or damaged myelin in the brain. We hope to provide vital proof of concept data demonstrating that different types of cognitive training can enhance oligodendrocyte production in the brain, and that through this process can expedite myelin repair within a demyelinated lesion. Funded by: Multiple Sclerosis Australia - Grant-Incubator ($25,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Investigating ferroptosis as a novel mechanism of oligodendrocyte death.
Brain Foundation1 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2018
People funded by this grant: Cullen C, Young K, Sutherland B
Project Total: $30,000; This project aims to understand the mode of cell death induced by a stroke, and determine the capacity for already developed therapeutics to rescue these cells. By saving oligodendrocytes from death after stroke, we aim to reduce the lesion size, but also keep these critical cells in place to support nerve cell survival and function. Funded by: Brain Foundation - Grant-Research ($30,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Using non-invasive magnetic stimulation to promote remyelination
National Health & Medical Research Council1 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2021
People funded by this grant: Young K, Rodger J, Cullen C
Project Total: $664,868; In patients with multiple sclerosis, brain insulation is lost from nerves. This leads to permanent and progressive disability. We have identified a non-invasive method of magnetic stimulation, and have shown that it increases the number of new insulating cells naturally added to the brain. In this study we will determine the extent to which our new treatment can induce insulation replacement to nerves in models of multiple sclerosis. Funded by: National Health & Medical Research Council - Grant-Project ($664,868); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Enhancing activity to drive myelin repair in preclinical models of multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis Australia1 Jan 2017 - 31 Dec 2019
People funded by this grant: Young K, Cullen C, Rodger J
Project Total: $170,000; This project examines the ability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to promote remyelination in two preclinical models of multiple sclerosis. Funded by: Multiple Sclerosis Australia - Grant-Project ($170,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Preclinical trial of rTMS in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis Australia1 Jan 2016 - 31 Dec 2018
People funded by this grant: Cullen C, Young K
Project Total: $207,000; This project will contribute new knowledge about the role of oligodendrocyte in MS pathogenesis and the importance of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells as a therapeutic target in the treatment of MS Funded by: Multiple Sclerosis Australia - Fellowship-Postdoctoral ($207,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
2015 International Society of Neurochemistry, Myelin Satellite Meeting
University of Tasmania1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2015
People funded by this grant: Cullen C
Project Total: $1,500; Funded by: University of Tasmania - Grant-Conference Support Scheme; University of Tasmania ($1,500).
GRANT
non-invasively promote myelination in vivo
University of Tasmania1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2015
People funded by this grant: Cullen C
Project Total: $12,866; Funded by: University of Tasmania - Grant-Research Enhancement (REGS); University of Tasmania ($12,866).