Barb Lyon
Master of Science student Barb Lyon is interested in how records of life on Earth can be preserved in rocks.
Programme: Master of Science in Earth Science
“I enjoy research for the sake of it and understanding how the world works at a deeper level. I have also always wanted to contribute to something important and research is a way to do that.
“My research topic is ‘Textures and Mineralogy of the fossilised Ohakuri hot spring sinter, Taupo Volcanic Zone, NZ’.
“My interest is in astrobiology as a geologist. The field looks to the rock record for evidence of early life on Earth and how that information can be used to guide the search for (past) life elsewhere, such as Mars.
I get to study really cool rocks in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
“I would love to be involved in the search for past life on Mars someday. The research I’m doing has applications in that field, as well as adding to our understanding of early life on Earth. I’m fascinated with how life got started on Earth (and possibly elsewhere) and how the record of that life may be preserved in the rocks.”