Associate Professor Nicolas (Nico) Thébaud is a structural geologist and mineral systems scientist at the University of Western Australia. Nico is the director of the Centre for Exploration Targeting at the School of Earth and Oceans (UWA).
Nico’s research focuses on the geodynamic, tectonic, petrological, and geochemical processes that control the formation of mineralised systems. His work spans lithospheric-scale architecture, 4D reconstructions of mineralised terrains, and the geochemistry and mineralogy of ore-forming processes, with applications across the Yilgarn Craton, West Africa, South America, and Phanerozoic terranes worldwide. Through close collaboration with major mining companies and international research partners, his research directly informs exploration strategies and supports more sustainable approaches to mineral resource development in a resource-constrained world.
As a mentor, Nico brings a rare combination of deep scientific rigour, strong industry engagement, and a genuinely applied outlook. He is committed to helping Research Fellows and PhD candidates develop critical thinking skills, independence, and a clear understanding of how fundamental science translates into real-world impact. Nico encourages mentees to engage broadly, work across disciplines, and build careers that are both scientifically ambitious and socially responsible.