Early Career Spotlight

Zarin Ali

Tell us about yourself: 

I am a geologist by profession. I pursued my Bachelors and Masters in Geology at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India. I have a specialization in the field of Sedimentology & Sequence Stratigraphy during my Masters, following which I secured an internship in the oil & gas sector and then I went on to serve the mineral exploration industry. I love to collaborate with people and I believe that it is one of the best ways to carry out science outreach activities. Recently, the IGCP Project-710 "Western Tethys meets Eastern Tethys" allowed me to share my views on similar topics. I have interest in Structural Geology and Basin Dynamics. The research interest sparked in my life in the middle of my career in industry.

What is your research about? 

My research work is about to begin which will focus on the facies analysis, palaeoecological characterization and sequence building. I am looking forward to carrying out my PhD on similar lines in the Kutch basin (Middle to Upper Jurassic sediments) with my current guide in India (Dr. Sunipa Mandal) in Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India. I have also actively been learning and sharing about the Tethys evolution and its impacts with Dr. Michel Krobicki (corresponding to the project IGCP-710) based out of Krakow, Poland. I am hoping for more knowledge sharing sessions with him to understand the Carpathians.

What excites you about your research? 

I get to feel not only the palaeogeographic shifts but also the climatic and relative sea level controls. It takes into account a detailed lithologic, structural, organizational and ichnological variations. There is a robust field work involved and required for this and I feel that it would help me sharpen my practical skills. I am enjoying the networking of many sedimentary geologists across the world. It creates a sense that we are divided by geographic boundaries and time zones but it is not a barrier anymore. Thanks to the technology and innovative mindsets.

What broader importance does your research have for society? 

The broader importance lies in the understanding of the atmosphere of the past and its comparison with the present. It gives a window to think about the different climatic conditions and global warming involving the analysis of paleosols and geochemical attributes. It will certainly help in our policy making processes in the future.

What inspired you to pursue a career in Earth Science? 

My affection towards Nature helped me in particular. Also my father was in the oil and gas field as a geophysicist and it helped me to get a better picture too.

What are you looking to do after you complete your PhD or postdoc? 

I would love to serve people with the geological science education, in both academics and in industry.

Given unlimited funding and access to resources, what is your dream project that you would pursue? 

I think I would love to assemble the dismantled continental terranes of the Gondwana and Laurasia with the help of the knowledge sharing sessions through conferences and other events both online and offline. I would love to bring everyone together on one platform by eliminating the differences in colour, caste, creed or religion.

What else do you do? Any hobbies or interests outside of work? 

I love to write (technical and non-technical things; blog at thevibes2017.com) and I have a passion for dramatics (theatres). A regular exercise is a must-have food on my plate to perform better in the field. I have authored a book on 'The Story Of Dots...' . I have a geology podcast series 'The Geology Tribe by Zarin Ali' where I use the storytelling as a way to deliver the geology lessons.

Personal website:

anchor.fm/zarinali , thevibes2017.com

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Zarin Ali, during her structural geology fieldwork in 2016, is seen taking observations of folds with her professors