Institute of Geological Sciences

Institute members

Prof. Suzette Timmerman

Professor for Isotope Geology

Institut für Geologie

Phone: +41 31 684 4565
Phone2: +41 31 684 87 61 (Sekretariat)
E-Mail: suzette.timmerman@unibe.ch
Office: 111
Postal Address: Institut für Geologie
Baltzerstrasse 1+3
3012 Bern
Schweiz
ORCID No: orcid.org/0000-0002-4254-5493

Curriculum

from 02-2023	Assistant professor (tenure track), University of Bern, Switzerland, Isotope Geology group
08-2019 - 01-2023	Banting post-doctoral fellow, University of Alberta, Canada
01-2019 - 07-2019	Post-doctoral researcher, University of Münster (WWU), Germany
02-2015 - 12-2018	Ph.D. Australian National University, Australia Thesis: Diamonds – time capsules of volatiles and the key to dynamic Earth evolution.
09-2011 - 01-2015	Student-assistant TIMS, VU University, the Netherlands
09-2012 - 10-2014	M.Sc. VU University, the Netherlands Earth Sciences – Solid Earth
09-2009 - 08-2012	B.Sc. VU University, the Netherlands Earth Sciences – Geology

Research

Development of new analytical methods/techniques (clean-lab chemistry, TIMS, MC-ICP-MS)
Geochronology (Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf, U-Pb)
Deep Carbon cycle
Deep subduction processes and the influence of recycled material on the chemical composition and geodynamics of the mantle through time
Formation and evolution of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle, and its associated resources
Tracing deep Earth processes in the upper mantle, transition zone, and lower mantle using inclusions in diamonds

Research group Isotope Geology

Publications

Jump to: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2023

Carvalho, Luisa; Stachel, Thomas; Pearson, GD; Timmerman, Suzette; Stern, Richard; Jalowitzki, Tiago; Scholz, Ricardo; Fuck, Reinhardt (2023). Subcretion of altered oceanic crust beneath the SW São Francisco Craton, Brazil – A stable isotope study on diamonds and their inclusions. Lithos, 460-461, p. 107395. Elsevier 10.1016/j.lithos.2023.107395

Timmerman, Suzette; Stachel, Thomas; Koornneef, Janne M; Smit, Karen V; Harlou, Rikke; Nowell, Geoff M; Thomson, Andrew R; Kohn, Simon C; Davies, Joshua H F L; Davies, Gareth R; Krebs, Mandy Y; Zhang, Qiwei; Milne, Sarah E M; Harris, Jeffrey W; Kaminsky, Felix; Zedgenizov, Dmitry; Bulanova, Galina; Smith, Chris B; Cabral Neto, Izaac; Silveira, Francisco V; ... (2023). Sublithospheric diamond ages and the supercontinent cycle. Nature, 623(7988), pp. 752-756. Springer Nature 10.1038/s41586-023-06662-9

2022

Carvalho, Luísa D.V.; Stachel, Thomas; Pearson, D. Graham; Fuck, Reinhardt A.; Jalowitzki, Tiago; Timmerman, Suzette; Steele-Maclnnis, Matthew; Gonçalves, Guilherme O.; Pereira, Rogério Silvestre; Scholz, Ricardo (2022). Diamond formation beneath the Coromandel area, southwestern São Francisco Craton – The role of re-fertilization and subduction. Lithos, 430-431, p. 106856. Elsevier 10.1016/j.lithos.2022.106856

Timmerman, S.; Reimink, J.R.; Vezinet, A.; Nestola, F.; Kublik, K.; Banas, A.; Stachel, T.; Stern, R.A.; Luo, Y.; Sarkar, C.; Ielpi, A.; Currie, C.A.; Mircea, C.; Jackson, V.; Pearson, D.G. (2022). Mesoarchean diamonds formed in thickened lithosphere, caused by slab-stacking. Earth and planetary science letters, 592, p. 117633. Elsevier 10.1016/j.epsl.2022.117633

Smit, Karen V.; Timmerman, Suzette; Aulbach, Sonja; Shirey, Steven B.; Richardson, Stephen H.; Phillips, David; Pearson, D. Graham (2022). Geochronology of Diamonds. Reviews in mineralogy and geochemistry, 88(1), pp. 567-636. Mineralogical Society of America 10.2138/rmg.2022.88.11

2021

González-Jiménez, José M.; Aulbach, Sonja; Smit, Karen V.; Timmerman, Suzette; Giuliani, Andrea; Mondal, Sisir K. (2021). Origin and evolution of continental mantle lithosphere and its resource endowment: Preface. Lithos, 384-385, p. 105965. Elsevier 10.1016/j.lithos.2021.105965

Timmerman, Suzette; Spivak, Anna V.; Jones, Adrian P. (2021). Carbonatitic Melts and Their Role in Diamond Formation in the Deep Earth. Elements, 17(5), pp. 321-326. Mineralogical Society of America 10.2138/GSELEMENTS.17.5.321

Gress, M. U.; Timmerman, S.; Chinn, I. L.; Koornneef, J. M.; Thomassot, E.; van der Valk, E. A. S.; van Zuilen, K.; Bouden, N.; Davies, G. R. (2021). Two billion years of episodic and simultaneous websteritic and eclogitic diamond formation beneath the Orapa kimberlite cluster, Botswana. Contributions to mineralogy and petrology, 176(7) Springer-Verlag 10.1007/s00410-021-01802-8

2019

Timmerman, S.; Honda, M.; Zhang, X.; Jaques, A.L.; Bulanova, G.; Smith, C.B.; Burnham, A.D. (2019). Contrasting noble gas compositions of peridotitic and eclogitic monocrystalline diamonds from the Argyle lamproite, Western Australia. Lithos, 344-345, pp. 193-206. Elsevier 10.1016/j.lithos.2019.06.027

Timmerman, S.; Honda, M.; Burnham, A. D.; Amelin, Y.; Woodland, S.; Pearson, D. G.; Jaques, A. L.; Le Losq, C.; Bennett, V. C.; Bulanova, G. P.; Smith, C. B.; Harris, J. W.; Tohver, E. (2019). Primordial and recycled helium isotope signatures in the mantle transition zone. Science, 365(6454), pp. 692-694. American Association for the Advancement of Science 10.1126/science.aax5293

Timmerman, S.; Krebs, M.Y.; Pearson, D.G.; Honda, M. (2019). Diamond-forming media through time – Trace element and noble gas systematics of diamonds formed over 3 billion years of Earth’s history. Geochimica et cosmochimica acta, 257, pp. 266-283. Elsevier Science 10.1016/j.gca.2019.05.014

Timmerman, Suzette; Yeow, Hanling; Honda, Masahiko; Howell, Daniel; Jaques, A. Lynton; Krebs, Mandy Y.; Woodland, Sarah; Pearson, D. Graham; Ávila, Janaína N.; Ireland, Trevor R. (2019). U-Th/He systematics of fluid-rich ‘fibrous’ diamonds – Evidence for pre- and syn-kimberlite eruption ages. Chemical geology, 515, pp. 22-36. Elsevier 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2019.04.001

2018

Timmerman, S.; Jaques, A.L.; Weiss, Y.; Harris, J.W. (2018). N-δ13C-inclusion profiles of cloudy diamonds from Koffiefontein: Evidence for formation by continuous Rayleigh fractionation and multiple fluids. Chemical geology, 483, pp. 31-46. Elsevier 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2018.02.024

Timmerman, Suzette; Honda, Masahiko; Phillips, David; Jaques, Alan L.; Harris, Jeffrey W. (2018). Noble gas geochemistry of fluid inclusions in South African diamonds: implications for the origin of diamond-forming fluids. Mineralogy and petrology, 112(S1), pp. 181-195. Springer 10.1007/s00710-018-0603-x

Timmerman, Suzette; Chinn, Ingrid L.; Fisher, David; Davies, Gareth R. (2018). Formation of unusual yellow Orapa diamonds. Mineralogy and petrology, 112(S1), pp. 209-218. Springer 10.1007/s00710-018-0592-9

2017

Timmerman, S.; Koornneef, J.M.; Chinn, I.L.; Davies, G.R. (2017). Dated eclogitic diamond growth zones reveal variable recycling of crustal carbon through time. Earth and planetary science letters, 463, pp. 178-188. Elsevier 10.1016/j.epsl.2017.02.001

2016

Timmerman, S.; Matveev, S.; Gress, M.U.; Davies, G.R. (2016). Corrigendum to A methodology for wavelength dispersive electron probe microanalysis of unpolished silicate minerals [J. Geochem. Explor. 159 (2015) 243–251]. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 160, p. 55. Elsevier 10.1016/j.gexplo.2015.11.007

2015

Timmerman, S.; Matveev, S.; Gress, M.U.; Davies, G.R. (2015). A methodology for wavelength dispersive electron probe microanalysis of unpolished silicate minerals. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 159, pp. 243-251. Elsevier 10.1016/j.gexplo.2015.09.016

Teaching

Teaching experience

Fall 2021	Guest lecturer, University of Alberta, Canada Course: Radiogenic isotope geochemistry (graduate level) Teaching 40% of the lectures (Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf, Pb-Pb, isotopic tracing).
Spring 2016, 2017	Guest lecturer, Australian National University, Australia Course: Chemistry of the Earth Lectures on Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf geochronology, isotopic tracing of magmatic and metamorphic processes. Developing and marking exam questions and practicums.
09-2015 – 05-2018	Teaching assistant, Australian National University, Australia Courses: Chemistry of the Earth, Blue Planet Tutoring and demonstrating with in-class practicums and field excursions.
02-2012 – 10-2013	Teaching assistant and volunteer, VU University, the Netherlands Courses: Rock characteristics, Mineralogy, Petrology Demonstrating with rock and microscope practicums.

Pedagogy training and recognition

Spring 2020	Level 3 Pedagogy and course design Comprehensive project-based course (~100 hours) at UofA on designing an effective discipline-specific course. Practical work included creating a course outline, syllabus, assessments, and a representative lesson plan as well as guidance on classroom management, leadership, student support and inclusion.
Since 10-2017	Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy In recognition of attainment against the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning support in higher education. Recognition reference PR135169.
02-2017	Principles of tutoring and demonstrating course 10-module course at ANU on teaching and learning styles and practices, planning practicums and lessons, marking and feedback, peer-observation, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Awards and funding

2022	Marie Curie individual fellowship – declined RELeaP: Resolving Earths Lead Paradox.
2019	Banting fellowship 2-year fellowship funded by the Government of Canada Tracing Earth's deep carbon cycle: integrating geochemical and geochronological analysis of super-deep inclusions and their diamond hosts as a step to track carbon mobility in the transition zone and lower mantle.
2019	JG Crawford prize Awarded for academic excellence and excellent PhD thesis in science, medicine, and engineering at the Australian National University. Award year 2019.
2017	Elsevier International Association of Geochemistry PhD student research grant
2017	11th International Kimberlite conference support grant
2016	Mervyn and Katalin Paterson Fellowship Competitive travel fellowship for PhD student at RSES.
2016	Australian Post-Graduate Award Competitive 3-year scholarship for PhD stipend.
2016	International PhD Research Scholarship Competitive 3-year scholarship for PhD tuition fees.
2016	AE Ringwood Scholarship Competitive 3-year top-up stipend for PhD student at RSES.
2016	DCO Summer School participant in Yellowstone, funded by DCO.
2015	Goldschmidt conference support grant
2015	Honorary mention for master thesis by the Royal Dutch Geological and Mining Society (KNGMG)