Jennifer Bentz Email & Phone Number

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Design and manage large-scale research projects aimed at quantitatively mapping the mineralogy of oil sand process streams from ore to tailings including proposal writing, approval by share holders, managing the budget, sampling and analysis from pilot plants and the extraction plant in Fort McMurray, as well as the supervision of coop student projects. This role also includes significant collaboration with project scientists managing other research projects, site engineers, and the Analytical Lab. Additional research projects include ore processability modeling using machine learning techniques in house and in collaboration with external contractors, the development of an X-ray fluorescence spectroscopic method for the chemical analysis of oil sand solids, and understanding the interactions between the minerals solids and organic components in oil sands related bitumen extraction efficiency, froth treatment, and mine closure outcomes.

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

This role involved the full development and implementation of a quantitative method for analyzing the mineralogy oil sand solids, with an emphasis on clay minerals, via X-ray diffraction that could be performed routinely by lab technologists in support of various research projects related to mine planning, bitumen extraction, froth treatment, and mine closure. Method development involved testing various procedures, updating and reporting results, writing operating procedures in accordance with Syncrude Canada's methods, as well as teaching the method to the Analytical Team. Implementation of the procedure also involved comparison analysis between the external method and new internal method to aid in understanding changes to the data structure and how these changes would affect research projects with both historical XRD data as well as new XRD data. In this role I also performed sample analysis for site excursions, foulant investigations, and preliminary routine oil sand solids.

Ontario, Canada

This research analyzed authigenic clay minerals in the mudflats of sulphate-rich lakes and salars across Southern Saskatchewan and the Bolivian Altiplano utilizing X-ray diffraction, visible and near infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. These areas were targeted due to their importance for interpreting past environments based on their ubiquity on the surface of terrestrial planets, sensitivity to the prevailing geochemical conditions, and ability to preserve biosignatures. This research involved coordinating sampling campaigns in Canada and internationally, gaining approvals for sampling from land owners and the Saskatchewan watershed authority, as well as developing and managing a level 1 biohazard lab for the importation, analysis, and storage of international lake sediments.

Montreal, Canada Area

I worked with the Terra X-ray diffraction/X-ray fluorescence instrument [a commercial version of the CheMin instrument aboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover Curiosity] to analyze the diffraction patterns of a variety of geological samples, including clays and sulfates relevant to Gale Cater on Mars. The samples included standards from the Clay Minerals Society, and environmental samples from the DeLangtan anticline in China, which is rich in sulfates and carbonates. I was responsible for analyzing the diffraction data and producing a number of internal reports on the clays and sulfates to start a bulk powder diffraction database with the Terra to aid in interpreting data from the MSL rover. During my internship, I also gained experience operating a scanning electron microscope to image and analyze various hydrothermal mineral samples, clay standards, and mixed clay samples. Both of these techniques will be used to analyze natural and synthetic Fe/Mg-rich phyllosilicate samples during my Ph.D. research, and my past experience with these instruments, and the database of standards I created, will aid in interpreting the data from Mars

Saskatchewan, Canada

I worked on a project funded by Hudbay Minerals to develop eco-restoration and revegetation strategies for smelter-impacted soils in the Boreal Forest region around Creighton SK/Flin Flon MB. Over the summer I was responsible for evaluating several methods of soil sample preparation and soil analysis for the determination of the total concentrations of copper, zinc, cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury, and nickel in a large number of highly variable samples. These methods included acid digestions, lithium tetra borate fusions, and pelletization with subsequent analysis using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) spectroscopy. During my time working on the project, I gained both research and management experience—particularly as it relates to the collection, organization, and analysis of data. A large part of the project involved evaluating the reliability and practicality of the various metal analysis procedures, taking into account the number and variability of the soil samples. The data from this project was mapped and analyzed using geographic information systems in ArcGIS (ESRI). The results of the study were presented at the 2010 meeting of the Canadian Society of Soil Science and was awarded 2nd place in the President’s Award poster competition.

Saskatchewan, Canada

I assisted in managing field trials aimed at increasing oil yields and developing drought tolerance in various mustard and canola varieties. Initially, hybrid varieties were screened in greenhouse and growth chamber studies where I gained experience in maintaining plants, identifying and recording the developmental stages, measuring plant heights and pod dimensions, harvesting, and seed sampling. I also gained experience in constructing seeding designs for large-scale field trails.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Geology/Earth Science, General

Master Of Science (M.Sc), Soil Sciences

Bachelor Of Science (B.Sc.) Agriculture, Environmental Science