Dr Rachelle Kernen
Research Fellow
School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences
College of Science
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr Rachelle Kernen is an Australian Research Council (ARC) Early Career Industry Fellow and holder of the prestigious Global Talent Visa, which granted her permanent residency upon arrival in Australia. Dr Kernen was competitively selected for the University of Adelaide's Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Resources (ISER) Leadership Committee and she also received the Centre for Energy Technology (CET) Award for Best Contribution to Research Quality (Early Career Researcher) in 2024. Dr Kernen was named a Superstar of STEM by Science and Technology Australia (2023–2024).
With over 15 years of high-impact industry research, Dr Kernen has worked across leading US-based consortia — including the Institute of Tectonics Studies, the Salt-Sediment Interaction Research Consortium, and the Applied Geodynamics Laboratory — alongside global sponsors such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, and Woodside. She has authored 13 peer-reviewed papers and 20 industry conference abstracts in respected journals, including the AAPG Bulletin and GSA Bulletin. Dr Kernen has contributed to 4 salt-tectonic textbooks and journal volumes (serving as lead editor on 2) and delivered over 50 technical presentations and chaired more than 10 sessions at national and international conferences. Her full publication list is available on Google Scholar.
Dr Kernen leads the Salt Basins Research Group, focused on two key areas:
1) Salt-sediment interaction in the Flinders Ranges, SA — investigating how ancient salt tectonics coincided with major shifts in Earth's climate and the emergence of complex life. Read more HERE.
2) Hydrogen storage in salt caverns — using sedimentologic and stratigraphic outcrop analog studies to develop pilots for underground hydrogen storage. Read more HERE and HERE.
3) Natural hydrogen exploration in salt basins — using outcrop analog studies to constrain sedimentologic and stratigraphic controls on natural hydrogen accumulation. Read more HERE.
To learn more about her research, visit her LinkedIn or ResearchGate profiles, or contact her at rachelle.kernen@adelaide.edu.au.
Dr Kernen holds competitive Industry-sponsored Fellowships for her MSc (2011) and PhD (2019) degrees in Geology from New Mexico State University and the University of Texas at El Paso, where she was a research associate with the Salt-Sediment Interaction Research Consortium. As part of her fellowship, she taught the following courses as the Lead Instructor: Introduction to Geology, History of Life, and as a Teaching Assistant: Sedimentary Depositional Environments and Energy Geoscience.
Dr Kernen has served as the Chair of the Hydrogen Society of Australia (South Australia) and sat on the organising committees for the Geological Society of Australia SA, the South Australia Exploration and Mining Conference, and the AAPG Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Conference since 2022.
She is equally passionate about science communication — regularly appearing on radio, in podcasts, and in documentaries, writing media articles, and engaging with schools, policymakers, and the broader community through STEM events. Her full media profile is available HERE.
Dr Kernen is currently recruiting MS and PhD students for projects in sedimentology, stratigraphy, salt-sediment interaction, and net-zero energy. Interested candidates are warmly encouraged to reach out directly.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 - 2029 | ARC Industry Research Fellow | Adelaide University |
| 2026 - 2026 | Research Fellow | Adelaide University |
| 2022 - 2025 | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | The University of Adelaide |
| 2020 - 2021 | COVID Hiring Delay | The University of Adelaide |
| 2015 - 2019 | Lecturer | University of Texas at El Paso |
| 2011 - 2015 | Exploration Geoscientist | Royal Dutch Shell |
| 2008 - 2010 | Lecturer | New Mexico State University |
| 2006 - 2008 | Teaching Assistant | University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Award | Best Contribution to Research Quality - Early Career | The University of Adelaide - Centre for Energy Technology | Australia | - |
| 2023 | Achievement | Superstar of STEM | Science and Technology Australia | Australia | - |
| 2021 | Award | ALLY GRIT Award Finalist | ALLY Energy | United States | - |
| 2020 | Award | GRIT Team Award | ALLY Energy | United States | - |
| 2017 | Award | GSA Penrose Conference Student Award | Geological Society of America | United States | - |
| 2017 | Award | AAPG Student Expo Poster Winner | American Association of Petroleum Geologists | United States | - |
| 2017 | Award | GSA Best Student Poster Award | Geological Society of America | United States | - |
| 2010 | Award | AAPG Best Poster Award | American Association of Petroleum Geologists | United States | - |
| 2008 | Award | SEPM-AAPG Student Research Award | Society for Sedimentary Geology | United States | - |
| 2006 | Award | Dean’s Outstanding Research Award | The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | United States | - |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Penn State | United States | Graduate Certificate: Sustainability Management and Policy |
| 2015 - 2019 | University of Texas El Paso | United States | PhD Geological Sciences |
| 2008 - 2011 | New Mexico State University | United States | MSc Geology |
| 2004 - 2008 | The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | United States | BSc Geology |
| Date | Title | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) | Penn State | United States |
| 2011 | Shell Graduate Program | Royal Dutch Shell | United States |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Kernen, R., Amos, K. J., Virgo, G., Lloyd, J., & Subarkah, D. (2026). Salt diapirs as an architect of Neoproterozoic stromatolite platform reefs. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 138(3-4), 1333-1345. |
| 2026 | Kernen, R., & Amos, K. J. (2026). Hydrocarbons to hydrogen in salt basins: outcrop analogue evidence for seal behaviour at Enorama Diapir, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Australian energy producers journal, 66(1), EP25174. |
| 2025 | Egorov, V., Abriel, W., Amoyedo, S., Ball, P., Bannister, K., Dunlap, D., . . . Turner, J. (2025). Introduction to the special section: Energy diversification - Natural resources beyond fossil fuels. Interpretation, 13(2), SAi-SAii. |
| 2024 | Bunch, M. A., Schacht, U., Amos, K., & Kernen, R. (2024). Key considerations for evaluating Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) potential in five contrasting Australian basins. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 67, 406-420. Scopus9 WoS9 |
| 2024 | Kernen, R., Amos, K. J., Anell, I., Evans, S., & Rodriguez-Blanco, L. (2024). The role of salt basins in the race to net zero: a focus on Australian basins and key research topics. Australian Energy Producers Journal, 64(S1), S402-S406. |
| 2023 | Shin, T. A., & Kernen, R. A. (2023). Introduction to Salt Basins Special Issue Volume 1: Diapirism, deformation, dating, and exploration in honor of Bruno Vendeville and all the unsung heroes. AAPG Bulletin, 107(1), 1-5. WoS1 |
| 2023 | Kernen, R., Amos, K., Abu, C., Allen, J., Ahmed, S., Birgenheier, L., . . . Rysak, B. (2023). Creating and promoting genderequity and diversity in professional geological societies: a focus on AAPG. Journal of Geoethics and Social Geosciences. |
| 2023 | Kernen, R., & Shin, T. (2023). Introduction to Salt Basins Special Issue Volume 2: Evaporite precipitation, physical modeling, basin evolution in honor of Bruno Vendeville. American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Bulletin, 107(12), 2019-2022. |
| 2021 | Kernen, R., Lehrmann, A., & Poe, P. (2021). Lithostratigraphy and Chemostratigraphy of salt diapir sedimentary inclusions: unraveling Ediacaran salt tectonics in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. MESA Journal, 95(2), 4-29. |
| 2020 | Kernen, R. A., Giles, K. A., Poe, P. L., Gannaway Dalton, C. E., Rowan, M. G., Fiduk, J. C., & Hearon, T. E. (2020). Origin of the Neoproterozoic rim dolomite as lateral carbonate caprock, Patawarta salt sheet, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 67(6), 815-832. Scopus11 WoS12 |
| 2020 | Rowan, M. G., Hearon IV, T. E., Kernen, R. A., Giles, K. A., Gannaway-Dalton, C. E., Williams, N. J., . . . Fischer, M. P. (2020). A review of allochthonous salt tectonics in the Flinders and Willouran ranges, South Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 67(6), 787-813. Scopus21 WoS20 |
| 2015 | Hearon IV, T. E., Rowan, M. G., Giles, K. A., Kernen, R. A., Gannaway, C. E., Lawton, T. F., & Fiduk, J. C. (2015). Allochthonous salt initiation and advance in the northern Flinders and eastern Willouran ranges, South Australia: Using outcrops to test subsurface-based models from the northern Gulf of Mexico. AAPG Bulletin, 99(02), 293-331. |
| 2012 | Kernen, R. A., Giles, K. A., Rowan, M. G., Lawton, T. F., & Hearon, T. E. (2012). Depositional and halokinetic-sequence stratigraphy of the neoproterozoic Wonoka Formation adjacent to patawarta allochthonous salt sheet, Central Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Geological Society Special Publication, 363(1), 81-105. Scopus43 WoS39 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Kernen, R. (2026). The Critical Role of Outcrop Analogue Studies in De-risking Subsurface Hydrogen Storage in Salt Basins. In https://confer.co.nz/isc2026/programme-overview/. Wellington, New Zealand. |
| 2026 | Kernen, R. (2026). Salt Diapirs as an Architect of Neoproterozoic Stromatolite Platform Reefs. In https://confer.co.nz/isc2026/programme-overview/. Wellington, New Zealand. |
| 2026 | Kernen, R. (2026). Hydrocarbons to Hydrogen in Salt Basins: Outcrop Analogue Evidence for Seal Behaviour at Enorama Diapir, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. In Australian Energy Producers Journal. Adelaide, South Australia. |
| 2024 | In appreciation of reviewers and editors (2024). In Interpretation Vol. 12 (pp. Z1-Z4). Society of Exploration Geophysicists. DOI |
| 2024 | Kernen, R. (2024). Oral Presentation for: The role of salt basins in the race to net zero: a focus on Australian basins and key research topics. In Australian Energy Producers Journal. Perth, Western Australia. DOI |
| 2019 | Poe, P. L., Giles, K. A., Brunner, B., Kernen, R., & Labrado, A. (2019). IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF LATERAL CARBONATE CAPROCK: GYPSUM VALLEY SALT WALL, PARADOX BASIN, COLORADO. In Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Geological Society of America. DOI |
| 2018 | Kernen, R. (2018). New classification of caprock associated with salt diapirs. In The Penrose Conference on Advances in salt Tectonics: Observations, Applications and Perspective. Ein Bokek, Israel. |
| 2018 | Kernen, R. (2018). Origin, characteristics, and distribution of intrasalt non-halite stratal packages. In The Penrose Conference on Advances in salt Tectonics: Observations, Applications and Perspective. Ein Bokek, Israel. |
| 2017 | Lehrmann, A., Kernen, R., Giles, S., & Giles, K. (2017). TIMING OF ALLOCHTHONOUS SALT EMPLACEMENT OF THE NEOPROTEROZOIC (EDIACARAN) PATAWARTA SALT SHEET, FLINDERS RANGES, SOUTH AUSTRALIA: EVIDENCE FROM THE SUBSALT MINIBASIN. In Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Geological Society of America. DOI |
| 2017 | Giles, S., Kernen, R., Lehrmann, A., & Giles, K. (2017). EVOLUTION OF A SUPRASALT MINIBASIN: NEOPROTEROZOIC (EDIACARAN) PATAWARTA SALT SHEET, FLINDERS RANGES, SOUTH AUSTRALIA. In Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Geological Society of America. DOI |
| 2017 | Kernen, R., Anthony, E., Ricketts, J., Biddle, J., & Garcia, J. A. (2017). THERMAL ALTERATION HISTORY OF NEOPROTEROZOIC BASALT XENOLITHS IN THE PATAWARTA AND WITCHELINA DIAPIRS, FLINDERS AND WILLOURAN RANGES, SOUTH AUSTRALIA. In Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Geological Society of America. DOI |
| 2017 | Kernen, R. (2017). Evaluating Exploration Potential of Suture Zones or Encased Minibasins Using an Outcrop Example From the Neoproterozoic Patawarta Salt Canopy, Central Flinders Ranges, South Australia. In AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. Houston, Texas. |
| 2016 | Kernen, R. (2016). Understanding the Origin of Deformed Stratigraphic Blocks inside the Neoproterozoic Patawarta Diapir, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. In AAPG Gulf Coast Association Geological Society. Corpus Christi, Texas. |
| 2014 | Kernen, R. (2014). Allochthonous Salt Initiation and Advance in the Northern Flinders and Eastern Willouran Ranges, South Australia: Using Outcrops to Test Subsurface-Based Models from the Northern Gulf Of Mexico. In AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. Houston, Texas. |
| 2014 | Kernen, R. (2014). Comparison of Suprasalt and Subsalt Depositional and Halokinetic History of Patawarta Diapir, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. In AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. Houston, Texas. |
| 2014 | Gannaway, C. E., Giles, K. A., Kernen, R. A., Rowan, M. G., & Hearon, T. E. (2014). Comparison of the Depositional and Halokinetic History of Suprasalt and Subsalt Minibasins at Patawarta Diapir, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology. DOI |
| 2012 | Kernen, R. (2012). A Halokinetic Drape-Fold Model for Caprock in Diapir-Flanking and Subsalt Positions. In AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. Long Beach, California. |
| 2012 | Kernen, R. (2012). Outcrop Analysis of the Counter-Regional-Style, Partly Welded Oladdie Diapir, South Australia. In AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. Long Beach, California. |
| 2012 | Kernen, R. (2012). Outcrop Examples of Subsalt Structure Related to Allochthonous Salt Breakout, Flinders and Eastern Willouran Ranges, South Australia. In AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. Long Beach, California. |
| 2011 | Kernen, R. (2011). Identification of a Neoproterozoic Shelfal Suprasalt Carapace and Correlation to a Tapered Composite Halokinetic Sequence at Patawarta Diapir, Central Flinders Ranges, South Australia. In Houston, Texas. Houston, Texas. |
| 2010 | Kernen, R. (2010). Lateral Salt Emplacement at the Christmas Tree Diapir, Pinda Springs, South Australia. In AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. New Orleans, Louisiana. |
| 2010 | Kernen, R. (2010). Depositional and halokinetic-sequence stratigraphy of the Neoproterozoic Wonoka Formation adjacent to Patawarta allochthonous salt sheet, Central Flinders Ranges, South Australia. In Salt tectonics, Sediments and Prospectivity. London, United Kingdom. |
| 2009 | Kernen, R. (2009). Characteristics of a Tapered Composite Halokinetic Sequence within the Wonoka Formation Adjacent to the Ramping Patawarta Salt Sheet, Central Flinders Ranges, South Australia. In AAPG Foundation Grants in Aid. Norman, Oklahoma. |
| 2008 | Kernen, R. (2008). Environmental Conditions During Recovery from the End-Permian Extinction: Comparative Analysis of Carbon Isotope Data from China, Japan, and Turkey. In AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. San Antonio, Texas. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Kernen, R. (2026). Natural hydrogen potential like 'tripping over gold', SA minister says. ABC News. |
| 2025 | Kernen, R. (2025). How renewable are renewables? With Dr Rachelle Kernen. Steering Sustainability Podcast. |
| 2025 | Kernen, R., & Amos, K. (2025). Ancient ‘salt mountains’ in southern Australia once created refuges for early life. The Conversation. |
| 2024 | Kernen, R. (2024). Rush! Episode 6: Green Revolution. ZDF Studios. |
| 2023 | Kernen, R. (2023). SA's proposed $425m green hydrogen plant in Tailem Bend promises jobs, energy for future. ABC News. |
| 2023 | Kernen, R. (2023). Meet SA’s superstar women changing the world. The Conversation. |
| 2020 | Kernen, R. (2020). eGeos: Energy Geoscience Podcast. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Poe, P., Giles, K., Brunner, B., Kernen, R., Labrado, A., & Lerer, K. (2018). Classification of caprock associated with salt diapirs. DOI |
Australian Research Council (ARC) Fellowship
- Early Career Industry Fellowship, Adelaide University, 2027-2029, ($432,707 AU)
- Funding provided by: Woodside, SA DEM, NTGS, CSIRO, Western Michigan
Energy Industry Consortium Fellowships
- Salt Sediment Research Consortium Tuition & Research Fellowship, UTEP, 2015-2019, ($100k USD)
- Funding provided by: Anadarko, BHP, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon, ExxonMobil, Hess, Kosmos, Marathon, Nexen, Repsol, Samson, Shell, Statoil (Equinor), Total
- Institute of Tectonics Tuition & Research Fellowship, NMSU, 2008-2010, ($100k USD)
- Funding provided by: Anadarko, BHP, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon, ExxonMobil, Hess, Kosmos, Marathon, Nexen, Repsol, Samson, Shell, Statoil (Equinor), Total
Grants and Scholarships
- BP GeoEnergy Research Grant, 2025-2026, $50k
- CNRS Mobility Scheme in Hydrogen, 2023-2024, $15k
- Energy Geoscience Podcast funded by the United States Department of Energy Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, 2021-2023, $15k
- Vernon G. and Joy Hunt Endowed Scholarship Fund in Geology, 2019-2020
- AGU Travel Grant, 2018
- UTEP Hunt & Rowling Scholarship, 2018
- UTEP Travel Grant, 2018
- Roswell Geological Society Foundation Scholarship, 2018
- West Texas Geological Foundation Scholarship, 2018
- UTEP Travel Grant, 2017
- SIPES-Society of Professional Earth Scientists Award, 2016
- AAPG Grants-In-Aid W. David Wiman Award, 2016
- UTEP Geology Bruce Davidson Memorial Award, 2016
- AAPG Book Gift, 2010
- AAPG Grants-In-Aid, 2009
- Dora Blossom Gile Memorial Scholarship, NMSU, 2009
- Neville Earth Science Public Museum Scholarship, UW, 2008
- Student/Faculty Collaborative Research Grant, UW, 2006-2008
Lecturer for Sedimentology.
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Principal Supervisor | Unlocking Australia's Hydrogen Industry Through Geological Storage in Salt Caverns | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Obinna Chukwuemeka Ugwu |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Location | Program | Supervision Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 - ongoing | Principal Supervisor | Sedimentology of the Enorama Diapir Reef | Adelaide University | Master of Research | Master | Full Time | Hoang Long Nguyen |
| 2026 - ongoing | Principal Supervisor | Sandstone with a Pulse: Sedimentological and Stratigraphic Analysis of the Bonney Sandstone at Wilpena Pound | Adelaide University | Honours | Honours | Full Time | Rachel Craddock |
| 2024 - 2024 | Principal Supervisor | Layers of Time: Interpreting Diapir-Influenced Strata & Palaeoenvironments adjacent to the Worumba Diapir using Sedimentology and REE geochemistry | The University of Adelaide | Honours | Honours | Full Time | Joanne Weissgerber |
| 2023 - 2024 | Principal Supervisor | Sedimentology of the zinc- mineralised archaeocyathid reef; Bunkers Graben, Flinders Ranges, South Australia | The University of Adelaide | Honours | Honours | Full Time | Katherina Mazai-Ward |
| Date | Role | Board name | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | Chair | South Australia Chapter | Hydrogen Society of Australia | Australia |
| 2022 - 2025 | Board Member | CCUS Conference Organizational Committee | American Association of Petroleum Geologists | United States |
| 2022 - 2024 | Board Member | Conference Organizational Committee | South Australian Exploration and Mining Conference | Australia |
| 2022 - 2024 | Board Member | South Australia Chapter | Geological Society of Australia | Australia |
| 2022 - 2024 | Chair | South Australia Chapter | WOMEESA | Australia |
| 2020 - ongoing | Board Member | Board of Directors - Liaison | GeoLatinas | United States |
| 2017 - 2019 | Chair | Board of Directors | Association for Women Geoscientists | United States |
| 2016 - 2018 | Representative | Sedimentology Division | Geological Society of America | United States |
| Date | Institution | Department | Organisation Type | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - 2024 | Stelar Metals | Mineral Exploration Consultancy | Scientific research | Australia |
| 2023 - 2023 | Taruga Minerals Limited | Mineral Exploration Consultancy | Scientific research | Australia |
| 2022 - 2022 | Sandfire America | Mineral Exploration Consultancy | Scientific research | United States |
| Date | Role | Editorial Board Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Associate Editor | Journal of the Geological Society | Earth Science, Systems and Society | Journal of the Geological Society | United Kingdom |
| 2023 - ongoing | Board Member | Sedimentologika | Sedimentologika | Australia |
| 2021 - 2023 | Associate Editor | American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin | American Association of Petroleum Geologists | United States |
Available For Media Comment.