Isabel Barton selected as SME Outstanding Young Professional

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration has named MGE assistant professor Isabel Barton the 2021 Outstanding Young Professional in the mining and exploration division. The award recognizes the accomplishments of a young person who has made a significant contribution to the mining and exploration industry.

Barton's work focuses on geometallurgy, which bridges the fields of geology and metallurgy or the science of separating metals from their ores.

“I’m honored to be chosen for this award, and am glad that the importance of geometallurgy is being recognized, especially the UA’s program,” she said.

Barton initiated the UA’s dedicated research and teaching program in geometallurgy at the Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources in 2014. It’s the only active program of its kind in the United States based in a mining engineering department and offering undergraduate and graduate courses in geometallurgy. The program aims to foster interdisciplinary understanding and communication among geologists, mining engineers and metallurgists. She is the only U.S. professor to teach classes in geometallurgy and maintain a research lab dedicated to the subject. In addition to academic courses, she teaches courses designed for professionals.

"I’m proud to see Professor Barton recognized for her commitment to improving the mining industry through innovation and by championing diversity in the field,” said Moe Momayez, interim department head and David and Edith Lowell Chair in Mining and Geological Engineering. “She’s adding to a legacy of faculty and alumni SME Outstanding Young Professional award winners from the UA, and I can’t wait to see our next successful candidates in future years.”