Dr. Chima Justin Ezekiel
Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment | University of Calgary
Earth Science 266, 2500 University Dr. NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4 CANADA
School of Public Policy | University of Calgary
554, 906 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 1H9
Office: (403) 210-6061
Assistant Professor (2024 – present) – Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment
Assistant Professor (2024 – present) – School of Public Policy
Research Scientist (2024) – Physical Sciences Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Postdoc (2021 – 2024) – Physical Sciences Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
PhD Earth Sciences – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 2020
Research Interests – Integrated clean-energy geosystems scientist — pioneering CCUS, CO₂-plume geothermal, and lithium co-production; basin-scale THM modeling and techno-economic decision support for subsurface pathways to net-zero.
Group Role – Supervisor/PI
Esther Chinonyerem Mbagwu
Department of Earth, Energy and Environment | University of Calgary
Earth Science 270 | 2500 University Drive, NW
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4
Master of Land and Water Systems – University of British Columbia, Vancouver 2023
MSc. Geophysics – Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria 2020
B.Tech Geosciences – Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria 2013
Research Interest: Esther is a master’s research student investigating the intersection of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. Her research focuses on understanding how society perceives CCS as a climate mitigation strategy and exploring pathways to improve public acceptance and trust in its deployment.
Group Role – Admin and Procurement
Chigozie Chukwuemeka Ikechukwu
Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment | University of Calgary
Earth Science 270 | 2500 University Dr. NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4 Canada
MSc. Future Energy (Geothermal Specialization), Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), 2022–2025
B. Tech. Geology (Geophysics), Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), 2014 – 2019
Research Interest: Chigozie’s research focuses on integrated multi-physics geophysical
modeling for geothermal energy and lithium exploration. His work combines aeromagnetic,
gravity, magnetotelluric, borehole, and geochemical data to quantify thermal structure,
map crustal architecture, and identify fluid pathways controlling geothermal systems and
lithium enrichment. He applies spectral inversion, forward and inverse modeling, and joint
inversion techniques to delineate subsurface structures, characterize brine reservoirs, and
generate data-driven prospectivity maps. His broader goal is to develop reproducible
workflows for geothermal resource assessment and lithium co-production in sedimentary
basins.
Group Role – Outreach and Procurement
Chisom Kingsley Okwaraojimadu
Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment | University of Calgary
Earth Science 270 | 2500 University Dr. NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 CANADA
B.Tech Geosciences (Geophysics Major) – Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria, 2021
Research interest: Chisom is working on leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS), reservoir quantification, and data science methodologies to investigate the quantitative analysis and geospatial mapping of sectoral CO₂ emissions and geological storage potential in Canada, aiming to inform evidence-based decision-making and optimize carbon management strategies.
Group Role – I.T. Specialist and Social Media Manager
Joyanta Dutta
Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment | University of Calgary
Earth Science 270 | 2500 University Dr. NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 CANADA
Chevron Earth Science Horizon Graduate– Chevron Corporation, 2017
M.Sc. in Petroleum Geoscience– Chulalongkorn University, Thailand 2012
M.Sc. in Geophysics – Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh 2010
B.Sc. Geology – Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh 2009
Research Interest: Joyanta is a doctoral research student focused on geo-modeling and investigating the impacts of geological heterogeneity on integrated CO₂ storage efficiency, enhanced oil recovery with CCUS, heat recovery, and lithium yield in deep WCSB reservoirs. His research also aims to develop predictive scaling relationships, carry out performance optimization and techno-economic assessments, and conduct uncertainty quantification to support integrated system design and maintenance.
Celina Medjahed
Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment | University of Calgary
Earth Science 263 | 2500 University Dr. NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 CANADA
Master degree in Engineering Science (Geo Energy – Reservoir Engineering) | University of Pau and des Pays de l’Adour, France (2024/2025).
Master degree in Geology and Earth Dynamic | School and Observatory of Earth Science (EOST), University of Strasbourg, France (2022/2024).
Master degree in lithographic Geodynamic | USTHB, University of Algeria (2021/2022)
Bachelor degree in Geology | USTHB, University of Algeria (2017/2021)
Research Interest: Celina is Ph.D. researcher focused on geological characterization and mapping to identify potential areas for installation of a medium-depth geothermal system in Alberta. Her work involves subsurface analysis and geo-modelling for geothermal energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS), including well testing analysis, geothermal gradient evaluation, well log interpretation, reservoir characterization, and mapping. Her objective is to reduce geological uncertainty and support decision-making for geothermal energy development within the energy transition context.
Charbel Sayah
Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment | University of Calgary
Earth Science 270 | 2500 University Dr. NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 CANADA
Master degree in Earth Science and Engineering, Specialization in Geophysics | King Abdullah University of science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia (2024-2026)
Bachelor’s degree in Geosciences, Minor in Data sciences | American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon (2021-2024)
Research Interest: Charbel is a Ph.D. researcher in Geophysics focused on the seismic monitoring of geological CO₂ storage, with particular interest in developing effective approaches that reduce uncertainty in interpreting the subsurface response to CO₂ injection, ultimately supporting more informed decision-making for CO₂ storage projects. His research combines seismic inversion, rock physics, reservoir modelling, and machine learning, with a particular focus on physics-guided machine learning approaches for CO₂ monitoring.
Group Role – I.T. Specialist
Maryam Khatami
Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment | University of Calgary
Earth Science 270 | 2500 University Dr. NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 CANADA
Research Fellow in carbon capture and storage (CCS) and mineral carbon storage analysis – National Research Institute of Italy (CNR), Pisa, Italy (2026)
M.Sc. in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability – University of Milan, Italy (2025)
M.Sc. in Petrology – University of Tehran, Iran (2019)
B.Sc. in Geology – University of Tehran, Iran (2016)
Research Interest: Maryam is a graduate research student focusing on the geochemical characterization of lithium-bearing formations in geothermal systems in north-central Alberta. Her academic background spans inorganic and organic geochemistry, stable isotope analysis, chemostratigraphy, and hydrothermal systems. Her previous research includes reconstructing paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic changes in the Paris Basin’s Toarcian sediments and investigating hydrothermal mineralization in geothermal systems. Her broader research interests lie in integrating geological and geochemical approaches to advance sustainable critical mineral exploration and energy resource development.
Group Role – Admin
Mitchelle Mbanefo
Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment | University of Calgary
Earth Science 270 | 2500 University Dr. NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 CANADA
B.Sc. Geology – University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
Research Interest: Mitchelle is an MSc student in Geoscience at the University of Calgary, focusing on integrated subsurface systems and their applications in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), critical mineral recovery, and produced-water management. Her research explores the potential of pre-injection brine extraction as a pressure-management strategy for geological CO₂ storage, with particular interest in the feasibility of mineral recovery, especially lithium, and the sustainable utilization of extracted brine.
Her work examines the interactions between geological characteristics, subsurface fluid behaviour, mineral recovery, and water-management pathways. The broader aim of this work is to support the assessment of integrated resource-development strategies and identify opportunities to improve the feasibility and sustainability of subsurface energy systems.
Group Role – Procurement
