I began my career at Indiana State University (Indiana, USA), focusing on macro-structural geology, where I also conducted biogeochemical research on the eolian (wind-blown) iron and phosphorus flux record of the Southern Ocean over roughly the past twenty million years. From there, I carried on at Washington University in St. Louis (Missouri, USA), where I continued working in structural geology, and added an experimental component to this by conducting rock deformation experiments, characterizing their seismic properties and relating this back to seismic signatures in subduction zones. From there, I moved to l'Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, where the majority of my research combined experimental petrology (metal-silicate differentiation), planetary and cosmo-chemistry, examined through the lens of trace element and isotope geochemistry. Here, I focused mainly on volatile elements—those easily vaporized, like Zn and Cu—and their isotopes.

At this time, I also began working in the emerging field of Isotope Metallomics - the application of element and isotope geochemistry techniques to medical research, which aims to use such tactics to identify metabolic pathways and potential diagnostics for diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer and Alzheimer’s. Just prior to arriving at JCU, I conducted similar research at Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia), where I began actively pursuing the research and development of rapid and/or automated trace element and stable isotope geochemistry protocols and workflows.

As part of the Earth and Environmental Science (EES) research team at JCU, I apply all these skills and experiences towards building and cultivating such research initiatives within the University, while also expanding along new horizons, such as developing the use of stable metal isotopes as source/process tracers in ore exploration as a part of the Economic Geology Research Unit (EGRU).

My ethos is to develop a high impact and immensely multi-disciplinary research portfolio along with students, postdoctoral researchers, colleagues and collaborators.

--> I am currently growing my research group and looking for Honours, Master's and PhD candidates. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. <---

Teaching

• EA2404: From Icehouse to Greenhouse (Level 2; CNS & TSV)
• EA3800: Earth and Environmental Geochemistry (Level 3; TSV)
• EA5046: Earth and Environmental Geochemistry (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
• EA5404: From Icehouse to Greenhouse (Level 5; CNS & TSV)

Interests

Research

• trace element partitioning isotope geochemistry isotope metallomics cosmochemistry planetary formation ore exploration technique development

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Amsellem E, Moynier F, Mahan B and Beck P (2020) Timing of thermal metamorphism in CM chondrites: implications for Ryugu and Bennu future sample return. Icarus, 339, Article: 113593, DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2019.113593.
• Mahan B, Antonelli M, Burckel P, Turner S, Chung R, Habekost M, Jørgensen A and Moynier F (2020) Longitudinal biometal accumulation and Ca isotope composition of the Göttingen minipig brain. Metallomics, 12 (10), pp. 1585-1598, DOI:10.1039/d0mt00134a.
• Mahan B, Chung R, Pountney D, Moynier F and Turner S (2020) Isotope metallomics approaches for medical research. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 77, pp. 3293-3309, DOI:10.1007/s00018-020-03484-0.
• Mahan B, Wu F, Dosseto A, Chung R, Schaefer B and Turner S (2020) SpinChem™: rapid element purification from biological and geological matrices via centrifugation for MC-ICP-MS isotope analyses – a case study with Zn. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 35, pp. 863-872, DOI:10.1039/C9JA00361D.
• Moynier F, Le Borgne M, Lahoud E, Mahan B, Mouton-Ligier F, Hugon J and Paquet C (2020) Copper and zinc isotopic excursions in the human brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimers & Dementia, 12 (1), Article: e12112, DOI:10.1002/dad2.12112.
• Charnoz S, Pignatale F, Hyodo R, Mahan B, Chaussidon M, Siebert J and Moynier F (2019) Planetesimal formation in an evolving protoplanetary disk with a dead zone. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 627, Article: A50, DOI:10.1051/0004-6361/201833216.
• Mahan B, Moynier F, Jørgensen A, Habekost M and Siebert J (2018) Examining the homeostatic distribution of metals and Zn isotopes in Göttingen minipigs. Metallomics, 10, pp. 1264-1281, DOI:10.1039/C8MT00179K.
• Mahan B, Siebert J, Blanchard I, Badro J, Kubik E, Sossi P and Moynier F (2018) Investigating earth’s formation history through copper and sulfur metal-silicate partitioning during core-mantle differentiation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 123 (10), pp. 8349-8363, DOI:10.1029/2018JB015991.
• Mahan B, Moynier F, Siebert J, Gueguen B, Agranier A, Pringle E, Bollard J, Connelly J and Bizzarro M (2018) Volatile element evolution of chondrules through time. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 115 (34), pp. 8547-8552, DOI:10.1073/pnas.1807263115.
• Mahan B, Siebert J, Blanchard I, Borensztajn S, Badro J and Moynier F (2018) Constraining compositional proxies for Earth’s accretion and core formation through high pressure and high temperature Zn and S metal-silicate partitioning. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 235, pp. 21-40, DOI:10.1016/j.gca.2018.04.032.
• Mahan B, Moynier F, Beck P, Pringle E and Siebert J (2018) A history of violence: insights into post-accretionary heating in carbonaceous chondrites from volatile element abundances, Zn isotopes and water contents. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 220, pp. 19-35, DOI:10.1016/j.gca.2017.09.027.
• Siebert J, Sossi P, Blanchard I, Mahan B, Badro J and Moynier F (2018) Chondritic Mn/Na ratio and limited post-nebular volatile loss of the Earth. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 485, pp. 130-139, DOI:10.1016/j.epsl.2017.12.042.

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 14+ research outputs authored by Dr Brandon Mahan from 2017 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation:

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Revealing the Enigmatic Alkaline Volcanism of the Rukwa Rift through Weather Resistant Minerals and their Inclusions (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.