Prof Nikolay Sobolev
Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberia - IMA Medallist for Excellence in Mineralogical Research

Title of Presentation:  Ultrahigh Pressure Mineralogy of the Continental Lithosphere

Dr. Nikolay V. Sobolev joined Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, its  Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Novosibirsk, in 1960 shortly after graduating from Lvov State University, USSR, Ukraine. Now he is Research Professor of the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Novosibirsk.

He has pioneered and stimulated the use of diamond and its mineral associations as windows on the Upper mantle and on of ultrahigh pressure metamorphism of crustal rocks. His work, initially centred on the diamondiferous kimberlites of Yakutia, Ural diamond placers, was followed by study of Arkhangelsk kimberlites and diamonds as well as some diamond occurrences worldwide. It has demonstrated the chemical complexity of the upper mantle  xenoliths that  contain diamonds or are associated with diamonds, and fluids significance for diamond formation. His documentation of the full spectrum of high and ultrahigh pressure mantle and crustal rock types has stimulated experimental high pressure calibrations of mineral reactions.

For his scientific achievements he was elected the Member of RussianAcademy of Sciences, Academia Europaea (European Academy),Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A. and awarded a number of prestigious awards in different areas of mineralogy and geology.