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Maria Schaarschmidt

Dr. Maria Schaarschmidt

Post-doctoral fellow
Lab manager

Geoscience

Abbotsford campus, A406m

email Maria

Biography

  • Bachelor of Science (Geography) – University of Marburg (Germany) 2009-2012
  • Master of Science (Physical Geography) – University of Bayreuth (Germany) 2013-2015
  • PhD (Luminescence Dating) – University of Wollongong (Australia) 2016-2021

Maria joined the UFV Luminescence Dating Laboratory (LDL) in 2022 after completing her PhD under the supervision of Richard (Bert) Roberts and Bo Li at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Her doctoral research focused on establishing a chronology for four archaeological sites in Myanmar and Vietnam using optical dating techniques to extend our current understanding of human dispersal throughout Southeast Asia. Maria is working on a range of research projects at the LDL, including the evolution of the Laurentide Ice Sheet in northeastern Manitoba, dune development and ice sheet retreat on the East Coast of the United States (New Jersey and New York), as well as dune formation in Tasmania (Australia). She is also investigating different luminescence characteristics of quartz to potentially extend the datable time range of optical dating beyond 100,000-150,000 years. Besides contributing to research projects, she also coordinates and mentors undergraduate and postgraduate students who work in the lab.

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