1. Nanogeoscience Combine nano- and micro-scale isotope analyses and nano-structures in minerals to track recent fluid-rock interaction, kinetics of oxygen isotope exchange in minerals at the nano-scale.

2. Biogeoscience Bacterial reduction of heavy metals and radionuclides, nano-scale bio-precipitated  minerals using nano-SIMS, and HRTEM techniques, predict the log-term stability of these phases using thermodynamics.

3. SIMS technique development Develop standards and analytical protocol for analysis of geological, biological, and planetary materials by ion microprobe.

4. Fluid-rock interaction Apply the ion microprobe to study tectonics, the timing of basin fluid migration in sedimentary environments, base-metal deposits, and the geochronology of uranium deposits and natural fission reactors. 

• B.Sc., 1989, Carleton University

• Ph.D., 1996, University of Saskatchewan

• National Science Foundation  Tracking Turquoise Trade Routes Using O and H Isotopes

• Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Department of Energy  Multi-Scale Studies of fluid-Rock Interactions 

• Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Department of Energy  In Situ Isotopic Analysis by SIMS of Uraninite and Uranyl Minerals from the Nopal I Uranium Deposit, Peña Blanca, Mexico

• Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Department of Energy  Cost Effective Cementitious Material Compatible with Yucca Mountain Repository Geochemistry

Saunders, J., Lee, M-E., Udden, Shahnewaz, Fayek, M., Korte, N.E., 2004, Glaciers, weathering, and natural arsenic contamination of Holocene alluvial aquifers: Geology, submitted. 

Saunders, J., Mohammad, S., Korte, N.E., Lee, M-E., Fayek, M., Castle, D., Barnett, M.O., 2004, Groundwater geochemistry, microbiology and mineralogy in two arsenic-bearing Holocene alluvial aquifers from the USA: 
J. Analytical Chemistry, submitted. 

Lobotka, T.C., Cole, D.R., Riciputi, L.R., and Fayek, M., 2004, Diffusion of C and O in calcite from 0.1 to 200 Mpa:
Am. Min., submitted. 

Fayek, M., Utsunomiya, S., Ewing, R.C., Jensen, K.A., and Riciputi, L.R., 2003, The link between nanostructures and oxygen isotopic composition of uraninite at Oklo natural fission reactors, Gabon: Am. Min., v. 88, p. 1583-1590

Peevler, J., Fayek, M., Misra, K., Riciputi, L., 2003, Sulfur isotope microanalysis of sphalerite by SIMS: constraints on the genesis of mississippi valley-type mineralization from the Mascot-Jefferson City District, East Tennessee: J. Geochem. Explor., v. 80, p. 277-296. 

Fayek, M., Kyser, T.K., and Riciputi, L.R., 2002, U and Pb isotope analysis of uranium minerals by ion-microprobe and the geochronology of the McArthur River and Sue Zone uranium deposits, Saskatchewan Canada: Can. Min., v. 40, p. 1717-1733.

Fayek, M., Jensen, K.A., Ewing, R.C., and Riciputi, L.R., 2002, In situ isotopic analysis of uraninite microstructures from the Oklo-Okélobondo natural fission reactors, Gabon: Materials Research Society Proceedings, v. 713, p. 849-856.

Fayek, M., Harrison, T.M., Ewing, R.C., Grove, M., and Coath, C.D., 2002, O and Pb isotopic analyses of uranium minerals by ion microprobe and U-Pb ages from the Cigar Lake Deposit: Chem. Geol., v. 185, p. 205-225.