Know Your Colleagues | Rory Carter
Rory is a PhD Student from Sydney, Aus. His research area is Geology and is supervised by Ian Graham, Indrani Mukherjee and David French. Read the full interview below.
Published on the 22 July 2026
Research Story
What is your research about?
I research rare earth element minerals in weathered rocks. I am trying to understand what the minerals are, how they have formed and the processes that help to drive this.
What inspired you to pursue this research topic?
I was really interested in the weathered rocks (regolith) setting and how that has controlled the enrichment of the rare earth elements. I had previously studied enrichment of silver and other elements in ‘fresh rock’ and wanted to try a different challenge.
What has been the most interesting or surprising part of your HDR journey so far?
I’ve really enjoyed learning new analytical techniques that can better help me to understand my samples.
What is one challenge in your research that people outside academia or your field may not realise?
Sample preparation of geological material takes a long time. My clay-rich samples have been a particularly challenging medium to work with, but where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Life Beyond Research
What do you enjoy doing outside of research or study?
I love the beach, playing tennis, board games and following both the swans (AFL) and the roosters (NRL).
Is there a food, tradition, place, or activity from your culture/home country that you would recommend everyone experience?
I grew up in Sydney around the east. I’d recommend the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee (or further if you’re keen). If you pick a sunny day in winter, you might catch the whales migrating, or sculptures by the sea is always great!
Do you have a favourite book, movie, podcast, song, or hobby you would recommend to others?
Get to a swans AFL game at the SCG, always a great experience.
Advice & Reflections
What advice would you give to new HDR students joining your research group?
Your project will change from what you initially thought. Embracing the change, rather than fighting against it has worked better for me.
What is something people in the research group might be surprised to learn about you?
I can juggle - thanks lockdown.
Bonus Questions
Coffee, tea or something else? Coffee.
Favourite work spot: Office.
Best conference city visited? I like Adelaide
Favourite quote or motto? PPPPPP (proper preparation prevents particularly poor performance)
