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Bonnie Teece

Photo of Bonnie Teece

Address:

4800 Oak Grove Drive

Pasadena, CA 91109

Curriculum Vitae:

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Website:

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Member of:

Laboratory Studies

Biography

Bonnie is a PhD graduate of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at the University of New South Wales. During her PhD, Bonnie used spectroscopy and spectrometry to increase reliability in detecting bona fide organic biosignatures in environments with high contamination potential (e.g., old rocks, hydrothermal environments). She has been supported as a DAAD scholar, a Big Questions Institute Fellow, and was the sole recipient of the Geological Society of Australia’s (GSA) PhD endowment fund in 2019. In addition to her astrobiological research, she is passionate about education and mentoring. She has taught science communication, astrobiology and geology at Macquarie University and UNSW for the past six years. She has also worked for the Powerhouse Museum as an Educator and Learning Developer and participated in several mentoring programs, such as Curious Minds. For her work in increasing equity in online education, she is recognized internationally as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Bonnie serves aboard the Early Career Advisory Panel to the GSA and co-chairs GSA’s Education and Outreach group.

Education

- PhD in Geology, UNSW Sydney 2018−2022

Organic biosignatures through the geological record: challenges and progress

Techniques used: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Curie-Point Pyrolysis GC-MS, Meta-

stable reaction monitoring GC-MS, micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy,

petrography.

- Master of Research with high distinction, Macquarie University 2016−2017

Lower-middle Cambrian microbialites from South Australia: construction, biofacies and biogeochemistry

Techniques used: GC-MS, FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, Micro X-ray Flourescence (XRF), petrography.

- Bachelor of Arts with the degree of Bachelor of Science, Macquarie University 2012−2016

Majors: English, Russian, Museum Studies

Special Tertiary Entrance Program, Wollongong College (2010)

Professional Experience

Teaching, Lecturing, Course and Assessment Design, UNSW, Sydney (2018 – 2022)

BEES2680: Introduction to Communicating Science (T2, 2020, T1 2022)

BEES2741: Introduction to Astrobiology (T2, 2019)

BEES6800: Communicating Science (T1 2019, T3 2019, T1 2020)

BEES6741: Astrobiology: Life in the Universe(T2, 2018)

GEOS1111: Fundamentals of Geology (T2, 2018)

Educator and Learning Developer, Powerhouse Museum

Project Officer, Online Learning and Innovation Community of Practice, UNSW 2021−2022

Communication and Dissemination Workpackage Leader, COALA 2022−Current

Communication and Dissemination Officer, COALA 2020−2022

Co-Founder and Deputy Director, Praxical 2020−Current

Project Manager, UNSW, Sydney 2019

Tutoring at Macquarie University, NSW (2016 – 2020)

GEOS2042: Life, The Universe and Everything (S1, 2016-2020) online only in 2020

GEOS226: Introduction to Field Geology (Summer School, 2017)

Instructor for the ANZIC Marine Geoscience Masterclass, International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) (2019)

Community Service

I work in many aspects of community service, my particular passion is working with underserved communities. I have worked in increasing representation for women and girls in science (Curious Minds mentoring, Work with Sisters who Shine, Brain Stem Mentoring), and work with educationally disadvantaged and under resourced schools (Aspire Ambassador, Hedland Senior High School, Polly Farmer Foundation, UNSW Indigenous Preparatory Program). Fieldwork is often required in geoscience which self-selects for able-bodied, financially well-off students with little to no caring responsibilities who can travel to remote locations for weeks at a time. My ongoing work in making virtual field trips (VFTs) allow us to support students from all backgrounds while still ensuring they develop field-based skills in an equitable way. I provide advice at a national level to the Geological Society of Australia , on their Early Career Advisory Panel for how to make the society more inclusive, relevant, diverse, and retain early career geoscientists. I have worked for many years with the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney Australia, to develop different kinds of media about Astrobiology, including the development of a series of Science and Art workshops which were primarily delivered to primary aged home schoolers and their parents.

Research Interests

I will be working on the NASA In-Situ Vent Analysis Divebot for Exobiology Research (Invader Project), and will be analysing life detection strategies on deep ocean hydrothermal vents as part of this project. I apply context-driven multi-technique approaches to increase reliability in interpreting biosignatures in my research. I am particularly passionate about organic compounds in hydrothermal environments, and in the Early Earth and how they relate to the search for life elsewhere. I am also interested in researching equity in education, particularly online education or geoscience education.

Selected Awards

Big Questions Institute Fellow (2022)

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Advance HE (2022)

UNSW Science PhD Writing Scholarship (2021)

Co-author on a U21 Researcher Resilience fund (2020)

Co-author on an Inspiring Australia NSW Science Week grant (2020)

The sole recipient of the Geological Society of Australia’s PhD Endowment Fund (2019)

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholar (2019)

Australian Federation of Graduate Women Fellowship Awards, Highly Commended (2019)

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion grant, UNSW (2019)

Winner of the PANGEA Research Centre Award for Outstanding Postgraduate Research Presentation (2018)

Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (2018)

Selected as one of 18 students in the inaugural CAPSTAN voyage (2017)

Research Training Program Master of Research (RTPMRES) scholarship (2017)

Macquarie University Research Training Pathway Scholarship, semester 1 and 2 (2016)

Academic Excellence in a Tertiary Admittance Programme, Wollongong College (2010)

Selected Publications

Teece, B.L., Havig, J.R., George, S.C., Hamilton, T.L., Baumgartner, R.J., Hartz, J. and Van Kranendonk, M.J. ‘Biogeochemistry of recently fossilised hot spring sinters from Yellowstone, USA’. 23(2) Astrobiology.

Teece, B. L., Guido, D., Campbell, K.A., Galar, A., Van Kranendonk M.J., and George, S.C. (2022) ‘Exceptional molecular preservation in the late Jurassic Claudia palaeogeothermal field’. Organic Geochemistry, 173, p.104504.

Teece, B.L., Metternicht, G., Gnassi, A., Vuolo, F., Belfiore, O.R. (2021), ‘Making it happen: An experience of using earth observation-based research outputs for engaging high school students in novel technologies for sustainable agriculture.’ Geographical Education, 34, (Peer-reviewed Teacher’s Journal).

Teece, B.L., Brock, G.A., Paterson, J. R., Skovsted, C.B., Holmer, L.E., George, S.C. (2021), ‘Using laser micropyrolysis to assess potential relationships between Cambrian tommotiids and organophasphatic brachiopods’. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 158.

Zapata Trujillo, J. C., Syme, A. M., Rowell, K. N., Burns, B. P., Clark, E. S., Gorman, M. N., Jacob, L.S.D., Kapodistrias, P., Kedzoira, D.J., Lempriere, F.A.R., Medcraft, C., O’Sullivan, J.O., Roberston, E.G., Soares, G.G., Steller, L., Teece, B.L., Tremblay, C.D., Sousa-Silva, C., McKemmish, L. K. (2021), ‘Computational infrared spectroscopy of 958 phosphorus-bearing molecules.’ Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 8(43).

Teece, B.L., George, S.C., Djokic, T, Campbell, K.A., Ruff, S.W., Van Kranendonk, M.J. (2020) ‘Biomolecules from fossilized hot-spring sinters: Implications for the search for life on Mars’. Astrobiology, 20(4).

Teece, B.L., George, S.C., Jacquet, S.M, Agbaje, O.B.A., Brock, G.A. (2020) ‘Mars rover techniques and lower-middle Cambrian microbialites from South Australia: Construction, biofacies and biogeochemistry’. Astrobiology, 20(5).