Contact Dr Diane Johnson
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 758047
- Email: Diane.Johnson@cranfield.ac.uk
- ORCID
Background
Diane joined Cranfield University staff in 2020, specialising in applications of Focused Ion Beam microscopy and Time of Flight Secondary Ionisation Mass Spectrometry. She has previously worked in a number of different roles and projects within academic research and analysis in the study of a broad range of materials by scanning electron and ion beam microscopy, mainly performing research and analysis of geological materials. She also studies Egyptology in her spare time which has led to her being awarded a PGCert and PGDip in Egyptology from Manchester University, reflecting Diane's strong belief in lifelong learning.
Background
Diane studied for a BSc(Hons) in Astrophysics, at the University of Central Lancashire, an MSc in Analytical Science at the University of Hull, with a research project of her own design in the application of ICPMS and SEM to perform comparative analysis of ordinary and carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Then she went on to complete a PhD in Surface Science at the University of Liverpool focused on understanding the growth and evolution of nickel oxides and hydroxides applying Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy and single crystal synchrotron based X-ray diffraction.
Selected previous appointments and projects
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, ROCD project, University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines (EU, RFCS funded)
A 10 partner project aimed at Reducing the risk of Occupational exposure to Coal Dust. My role was primarily in the development a new automated analysis protocol using SEM-EDS to characterise fine coal dust as PM10 and PM2.5 utilizing QEMSCAN automated mineralogy software. I also deputised to the project PI, so additionally involved project management, sample analysis planning and co-ordination with laboratories across Europe. Liaising with industrial mining partners to obtain samples and visits to deep coal mines in Slovenia and Poland for sampling and observation of mining techniques. Producing project outputs content and on a time scale in accordance with project contract detail.
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Hayabusa mission grain analysis, Open University, School of Physical Sciences (STFC funded)
Project to analyse mineral grains recovered from asteroid Itokawa from the JAXA (Japanese Space Agency) Hayabusa Mission. A short project to develop methods of manipulation and sample mounting of small (less than 50 micron diameter) grains which were then subjected to analysis by multiple methods including SEM, Raman Spectroscopy and x-ray CT.
Principle Investigator and Researcher, Analysis of fossils from Qau el Kebir, Egypt, Open University, School of Physical Sciences (Egypt Exploration Society funded)
A short research project in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, London, to scientifically explore a collection of unique fossils found within archaeological context with a view to characterise them scientifically using SEM, x-ray CT, Raman Spectroscopy, pXRF, ICPMS, C14 dating.
Co-Investigator and Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Iron from the sky project, Open University, School of Physical Sciences (AHRC funded)
A scientific investigation of iron in ancient Egypt, analysing a range of examples of geological sources of iron such as Egyptian iron ores and meteorites and defining the form they were worked into to help derive an understanding of the cultural role of iron, methods used to work this iron and also having geological implications as indicated by mineral chemistry and microstructure. Techniques used include: Analytical SEM, x-ray CT, pXRF, ICPMS.
Post Doctoral Research Associate in Scanning Electron Microscopy, Open University, Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute (OU funded)
Full time position that established a newly created FIBSEM laboratory within the Planetary and Space Sciences group, 70% of the role involved instrument technical support 30% in developing and performing research in relation to the FIBSEM within the themes of the group.
Membership of professional societies and panels
2017 Advisory panel member, temporary meteorite exhibition, Natural History Museum, London.
2014 Senior member of the advisory board of the Arab Meteors and Space Sciences Association
2009 Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society (FRMS)
1999 Member of the Meteoritical Society
1999 Fellow of the Geological Society (FGS)
Public engagement, media activities and broadcast material
Selected public engagement lectures:
26th April 2019, Exploring the Massive fossil funerary collection of Qau el-Kebir, Friends of the Petrie Museum, Institute of Archaeology, UCL, invited lecture.
22nd July 2017, The massive fossil funerary collection of Qau el-Kebir - Seth's bones rediscovered, Egypt Exploration Society current British Archaeology in Egypt, London, UK, invited lecture.
13th Feb 2016, Iron and the bones of Seth, at 'Meeting the gods: interactions between mortals and the divine', The Manchester Museum, UK, invited lecture.
27th Sept 2014 2-5pm Space beads from ancient Egypt; making objects from meteorites, Royal Observatory Greenwich, UK, invited lecture.
1st Sept 2013 Essex Egyptology Group, Meteorites in ancient Egypt, an invited 90 minute lecture.
19th April 2013 The Royal Society, Iron from the sky: the potential influence of meteorites on ancient Egyptian culture, invited lecture.
14th Dec 2011 Society of Electron Microscope Technology, one day meeting, A FIBSEM subsurface glimpse of evolution, invited lecture.
Media activities:
I am regularly contacted by the media to discuss my research and comment on advances in this area of research for use in newspapers, online and printed articles.
Selected Broadcast material:
June 2016 BBC Radio 5 live interview about meteorite iron use in ancient Egypt.
June 2016 BBC Radio Wales live interview about Tutankhamun's iron meteorite dagger.
Aug 2015 BBC Radio 4 recorded interview contribution towards 'Natural Histories' radio series and book, BBC and Natural History Museum production.
June 2013 Canadian Broadcast Corporation, recorded 20 minute interview about prehistoric Egyptian use of meteorite iron.
Research opportunities
Diane welcomes discussion of collaborative research projects involving electron and ion beam analysis.
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Genge MJ, Alesbrook L, Almeida NV, Bates HC, Bland PA, .... (2023). The fusion crust of the Winchcombe meteorite: A preserved record of atmospheric entry processes. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, Available online 02 January 2023
- Greenwood RC, Findlay R, Martins R, Steele RCJ, Shaw KMM, .... (2023). The formation and aqueous alteration of CM2 chondrites and their relationship to CO3 chondrites: A fresh isotopic (O, Cd, Cr, Si, Te, Ti, and Zn) perspective from the Winchcombe
CM2 fall. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, Available online 15 May 2023 - Johnson D, Rollinson GK, Arif AT, Moreno T, Ruiz PT, .... (2022). QEMSCAN® automated mineralogical analysis of PM2.5 and PM4: A preliminary study of underground coal mine dust from Poland and Slovenia. Frontiers in Earth Science, 10
- Suttle MD, Daly L, Jones RH, Jenkins L, Van Ginneken M, .... (2022). The Winchcombe meteorite—A regolith breccia from a rubble pile
CM chondrite asteroid. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, Available online 21 December 2022 - Trechera P, Querol X, Lah R, Johnson D, Wrana A, .... (2022). Chemistry and particle size distribution of respirable coal dust in underground mines in Central Eastern Europe. International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, 9(1)
- Chan QHS, Stephant A, Franchi IA, Zhao X, Brunetto R, .... (2021). Organic matter and water from asteroid Itokawa. Scientific Reports, 11(1)
- Chan QHS, Stephant A, Franchi IA, Zhao X, Brunetto R, .... (2021). Publisher Correction: Organic matter and water from asteroid Itokawa. Scientific Reports, 11(1)
- Moreno T, Trechera P, Querol X, Lah R, Johnson D, .... (2020). Corrigendum to Trace element fractionation between PM10 and PM2.5 in coal mine dust: Implications for occupational respiratory health’ [Journal of Coal Geology 203 (2019) 52–59]. International Journal of Coal Geology, 219
- Olsson-Francis K, Ramkissoon NK, Macey MC, Pearson VK, Schwenzer SP, .... (2020). Simulating microbial processes in extraterrestrial, aqueous environments. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 172
- Moreno T, Trechera P, Querol X, Lah R, Johnson D, .... (2019). Trace element fractionation between PM10 and PM2.5 in coal mine dust: Implications for occupational respiratory health. International Journal of Coal Geology, 203
- McNamara ME, Zhang F, Kearns SL, Orr PJ, Toulouse A, .... (2018). Fossilized skin reveals coevolution with feathers and metabolism in feathered dinosaurs and early birds. Nature Communications, 9(1)
- Preston LJ, Johnson D, Cockell CS & Grady MM. (2015). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectral Detection of Life in Polar Subsurface Environments and its Application to Mars Exploration. Applied Spectroscopy, 69(9)
- Greenwood RC, Barrat J-A, Scott ERD, Haack H, Buchanan PC, .... (2015). Geochemistry and oxygen isotope composition of main-group pallasites and olivine-rich clasts in mesosiderites: Implications for the “Great Dunite Shortage” and HED-mesosiderite connection. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 169
- Pillinger CT, Pillinger JM, Johnson D, Greenwood RC, Tindle AG, .... (2014). The Danebury Iron Age meteorite—An H5 ordinary chondrite “find” from Hampshire, England. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 49(6)
- Pillinger CT, Greenwood RC, Johnson D, Gibson JM, Tindle AG, .... (2013). Light element geochemistry of the Chelyabinsk meteorite. Geochemistry International, 51(7)
- Johnson D, Tyldesley J, Lowe T, Withers PJ & Grady MM. (2013). Analysis of a prehistoric Egyptian iron bead with implications for the use and perception of meteorite iron in ancient Egypt. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 48(6)
- Cockell CS, van Calsteren P, Mosselmans JFW, Franchi IA, Gilmour I, .... (2010). Microbial endolithic colonization and the geochemical environment in young seafloor basalts. Chemical Geology, 279(1-2)
- Zhang F, Kearns SL, Orr PJ, Benton MJ, Zhou Z, .... (2010). Fossilized melanosomes and the colour of Cretaceous dinosaurs and birds. Nature, 463(7284)
- Fernandes CD, Johnson D, Bridges JC & Grady MM. (2006). UV-Vis spectroscopy of stardust. International Journal of Astrobiology, 5(4)
Conference Papers
- Suttle MD, Daly L, Jones RH, Jenkins L, Van Ginneken M, .... (2022). GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE WINCHCOMBE METEORITE - A NEW CM CHONDRITE FALL
- Daly L, Suttle MD, Lee MR, Bridges J, Hicks L, .... (2022). A COORDINATED APPROACH TO INVESTIGATE THE HETEROGENEITY OF AQUEOUS ALTERATION AT THE MICRO-SCALE IN THE WINCHCOMBE METEORITE, A CM FALL
- Johnson D, Bramley K, Kimpton C, White L, Suttle M, .... Investigation of Tochilinite Cronstedtite intergrowths (TCI’s) in the Winchcombe CM2 carbonaceous chondrite,
Books
- Johnson D & Tyldesley J. (2016). Iron from the sky: The role of meteorite iron in the development of iron-working techniques in ancient Egypt In Price C, Forshaw R, Chamberlain A, Nicholson P, Morkot R, ... (eds), Mummies, magic and medicine in ancient Egypt. Manchester University Press.
- Johnson D, Grady MM, Lowe T & Tyldesley J. (2014). Microstructural analysis of a Predynastic iron meteorite bead In Palaeopathology in Egypt and Nubia. Archaeopress Publishing Ltd.