Juan Carlos Afonso

• Associate Professor of Geoscience, University of Tasmania

Juan C. Afonso graduated with a PhD in theoretical geophysics from Carleton University in late 2006. Following his doctorate, he undertook postdoctoral research at the Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera (CSIC, Barcelona), where he focused on developing new approaches to investigate the thermal and compositional structure of the lithospheric and sublithospheric upper mantle.

Before joining CODES, Juan built a career across research leadership, academic governance, and international program development. In 2009 he joined Macquarie University through the CoRE (Concentration of Research Excellence) recruitment program, remaining there for 13 years. During that period he held several senior roles, including Head of Department, member of the Dean's Advisory Committee, Coordinator of the Geophysics and Geodynamics Group, and Director of Research for the Department of Earth and Environmental Science. In 2022 he moved to the Netherlands to take up a full-time staff position at ITC, University of Twente. At ITC, he led the MSCA Doctoral Network EarthSafe, served on the ITC Academic Board, contributed to departmental advisory structures, and acted as Research Strategy Advisor. He has also advised the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Critical Minerals and Energy portfolios, and continues as a Visiting Professor at SUSTech University and at ITC.

At CODES, Juan works as a computational geoscientist and geodata integrator, with his research centered on the development of novel methodologies that help us understand the structure and evolution of the lithosphere, the modelling of multiphase multicomponent reactive flow, the mechanical and chemical interactions between plates and the sublithospheric mantle, and their effects on small- and large-scale tectonic processes. His methodologies assist in identifying subsurface conditions favorable for sustainable energy development and securing the raw materials essential for clean energy technologies.

• –present Associate Professor, University of Tasmania

• 2006 Carleton University, PhD

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