Helen is the lab manager of the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) section, which conducts both commercial and research analysis. The lab has three XRD instruments and several other complementary pieces of equipment for preparation of samples and supplementary analyses.

Her role focuses mainly on commercial projects but at times includes some research work.

Additional roles and responsibilities

  • Deputy Radiation Protection Officer, James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen
  • Chair of the Clay Minerals Group, a special interest group of the Mineralogical Society of the UK and Ireland
  • Vice President of the Mineralogical Society of the UK and Ireland

Commercial XRD work is the main focus of Helen’s role and includes the analysis of samples for multiple industries including, but not limited to, construction, oil and gas, environmental, mining, and chemicals.

Although she is mainly involved with commercial projects, when time allows, Helen has conducted small research projects, with results presented at multiple conferences, and has been involved with external research projects also.

Journals

Conference papers

  • Hillier, S.; Pendlowski, H.; Fraser, T.; Robertson, J.; Delbos, E.; Phillips, I.; Gray, N.; Wilson, I. (2013) Tubular halloysite., Minerals for Life, Appleton Tower, Edinburgh, 17-19 June 2013.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Pendlowski, H.A. (2017) Applied mineralogy : Clay mineralogy and its application to the oil industry: a practical course., The James Hutton Institute Annual Research Symposium, Dundee, 22 November 2017. (Poster)
  • Hillier, S.; Pendlowski, H.; Fraser, T.; Robertson, J.; Delbos, E.; Phillips, I.; Gray, N.; Wilson, I. (2015) Correlations among mineralogical and physical properties of halloysite nano-tubes (HNTs)., Euroclay 2015 Conference, Edinburgh University, 5-10 July 2015.
  • Brennan, F.P.; Moynihan, E.; Griffiths, B.; Hillier, S.; Owen, J.; Pendlowski, H.; Avery, L. (2013) The impact of clay mineral composition on enteropathogen survival in soil., FEMS, 5th Congress of Microbiologists 2013, Leipzig, Germany, 21-25 July 2013. Abstract.