Contributors
Bartosz Pieterek is currently employed as an assistant professor (2025–2029) at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, where he conducts interdisciplinary planetary research, combining it with his knowledge of the functioning and evolution of Earth’s magmatic systems.
After completing his master’s degree in exploration geology and stratigraphy (2016–2018) and engineering studies in engineering geology and geotechnics (2017–2020) at AMU, he began his doctoral studies (2018–2023), which he completed with honors. The topic of his doctoral dissertation was ‘Reconstruction of magmatic plumbing systems of the Tharsis Volcanic Province in the context of future research on the distribution of ore mineralization on Mars’.
In parallel with his doctoral research, he was developing his scientific interests related to sulfide geochemistry, a topic he had already begun to explore during his master’s studies. Sulfides, which control the distribution of metals in the lithosphere, are key to understanding the processes of ore formation, especially in the poorly understood transition zone between the upper mantle and the lower crust.
As part of his research on this topic, he was the principal investigator of the project entitled ‘Melt-mantle reaction and potential metal enrichment along the subcontinental crust-mantle transition zone (Balmuccia massif, Italy)’, funded by the National Science Centre as part of the PRELUDIUM competition (project no.: 2018/31/N/ST10/02146).
Currently, continuing the research topic he began during his doctoral studies, he specializes in studying volcanic processes on Mars, with a particular focus on small-scale volcanic structures that provide new information about the planet’s evolution. Using satellite images, digital terrain models, and spectral data, he seeks to understand and characterize volcanic processes occurring in relatively young areas of geological activity on Mars. This knowledge not only allows us to better understand the past processes that shaped the planet, but also to predict the evolution of rocky planets in the Solar System and support the planning of future Mars missions.
During his research and scientific career, Bartosz Pieterek was awarded by the Adam Mickiewicz University Foundation in Poznań (2022–2023) and a laureate of the prestigious START programme of the Foundation for Polish Science (2024–2025).
Thomas J. Jones is currently employed at the University of Lancaster as director of the Department of Earth Sciences, where he conducts interdisciplinary research on the behaviour of volcanic material on Earth and beyond.
Thomas J. Jones is a volcanologist who uses a combination of field studies and laboratory experiments to investigate the physical processes that operate during the transport and eruption of magma. Through his contribution to a better understanding of the processes controlling volcanic eruptions, he is recognized as one of the world’s most respected experts in volcanology. In 2023, Dr Jones was awarded a prestigious IAVCEI George Walker Award, which is given every two years to a scientist up to 7 years after a PhD acquisition. The award recognizes the achievements of a recent outstanding graduate in the field of volcanology.
Dr Jones’ main interest is related to the physical processes controlling the magmatic plumbing systems and volcanic eruptions. Specifically, current research projects and interests include magma fragmentation and the generation of volcanic ash, flow properties of pyroclastic density currents, and the transport of mantle cargo during kimberlite eruptions. Although largely focused on volcanic problems, Dr Jones enjoys crossing traditional discipline boundaries and has collaborated with engineers, material scientists, and planetary geologists. Dr Jones conducts his research in the discipline of volcanology based on the use of the most modern techniques for analysing the physical parameters and behaviour of volcanic material.
Dr Jones is a principal investigator of several total multi-million-pound UK-based research grants, such as Unravelling the internal dynamics of pyroclastic density currents funded by the Royal Society, NI: Pyroclastic Density Current Partnership (PDCP): A global partnership to align numerical models and experimental techniques funded by NERC, Flow and fragmentation of melts and magmas: developing a unified view through experimental, numerical and field investigations funded by FLF, and Fragmentation and flow of gas-particle mixtures in volcanic systems funded by NERC. In addition to projects, Dr Jones received international fellowships such as Rice Academy Junior Fellow (2018-2020), Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, and UKRI Future Leader Fellow, which are ongoing (2022-2029).