Welcome to my website. I am a mineralogist working at Trinity College Dublin (Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences). Here you can find information about my research, publications and different science activities.
My fields of research are environmental mineralogy and crystallisation. My research focuses on mineral genesis and the interaction of aqueous species with mineral surfaces. In particular, I study the mechanisms of mineral nucleation and growth and the interaction of common seawater ions, pollutants and organics with mineral surfaces and their relevance to global-scale processes like biomineralisation, biogeochemical element cycling and the evolution of the global chemistry of the oceans.
I have broad international working experience. After obtaining my PhD in 2006 I worked for more than five years at the School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds (UK) before moving to Copenhagen as an Assistant Professor at the Nano Science Center (Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen). In 2016 I was appointed as a lecturer in Trinity College Dublin (Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences). My experience abroad also includes several stays (more than 50 days in total) at synchrotron facilities (e.g., Diamond Light Source, ISIS neutron source, Daresbury SRS, Advanced Photon Source) and a NASA/ESA astrobiology expedition in Svalbard (AMASE) where I participated as a mineralogist.
Besides mineralogy and geochemistry, I enjoy many activities. I am an amateur astronomer, experienced in handling astronomical equipment like telescopes and CCD cameras. I also enjoy photography –especially nature landscapes and macro photography– as well as digital image processing.
Dr. Juan Diego RODRIGUEZ-BLANCO 