Ray Lett

Ray obtained a B.Sc. from the University of London, UK, in 1968, an M.Sc. from the University of Leicester, UK, in 1970, and a Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia, Canada, in 1979. He is a geochemical consultant and university sessional lecturer in geochemistry and economic geology at the University of Victoria, Canada.  He was a laboratory supervisor and senior geochemist for the British Columbia Geological Survey between 1990 and 2010. Before that, he was a geochemist for Barringer Research/Magenta from 1980 to 1990 and an exploration geochemist/geologist for Amax Exploration/Fox Geological/BP Minerals in Vancouver, BC between 1970 and 1979. Ray served as AAG Secretary 1980 to 1985; as a Councillor: 1990–1992, 1999–2000, 2006–2009, 2015–2017; member of the AAG Education Committee 2010–2022 and the Strategy Committee (2016–2017). Ray retired from the BC Geological Survey after 20 years with the government as a geochemist, and he now spends his time consulting, teaching (part-time) undergraduate university courses in geochemistry and economic geology, and serving on various geoscience committees.

As a geochemist for over 50 years, Ray has been fortunate to see the development of applied geochemistry from the fairly simple methods he used in the 1960s to the more varied and complex sampling, sample analysis and data analysis techniques available today.  He is convinced that many technological advancements can be attributed to ideas generated from the Association's international symposia, from publications in the journal GEEA (Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, and Analysis) and articles in the EXPLORE newsletter. True, sources of information are valuable, but people are even more important; Members and Fellows must encourage younger geoscientists to consider a career in applied geochemistry and join the Association.