Steve Larter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steve Larter
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|---|---|
| Nationality |  Canada |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge Newcastle University |
| Awards | William Smith Medal (1998) Friendship Medal (2000) CSPG Medal of Merit (2012, 2014) Treibs Medal (2014) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geochemistry |
| Institutions | University of Oslo University of Calgary |
Stephen (Steve) R. Larter is a Canadian scientist. He is an Emeritus Professor of geochemistry at the University of Calgary. This means he is a retired professor who still keeps his title. Geochemistry is the study of the Earth's chemistry.
Dr. Larter has helped start many new technology companies. One of them was Gushor Inc. He also works as a chief scientist at the Creative Destruction Lab-Rockies. He helps students and other scientists start their own companies. Dr. Larter has also worked on ways to get energy from oil and gas fields without creating pollution. He explores how to make hydrogen or electricity directly. He also works on capturing and storing carbon dioxide to help the environment.
Dr. Larter has worked in research for the oil and gas industry. He has also taught at the University of Oslo and Newcastle University. He has won many awards for his work. He is a member of important science groups like the Royal Society.
Steve Larter's Early Life and Education
Steve Larter started his studies at the University of Cambridge in 1974. He earned a degree in natural science. A year later, he got his Master of Science degree. This degree was in organic geochemistry and organic petrology from Newcastle University.
In 1978, he earned his PhD in petroleum geochemistry from Newcastle University. After finishing school, he worked as a Senior Geochemist Researcher. This was at the Unocal Corporation from 1979 to 1986. From 1987 to 1989, he was a visiting professor at the University of Oslo in Norway.
From 1989 to 2015, he was a geology professor at Newcastle University. After that, he became an Emeritus Professor there. Since 2004, he has been a Canada Research Chair at the University of Calgary.
Steve Larter's Research Discoveries
One of Dr. Larter's first research papers was in 1980. It was about substances called melanoidins. He showed how they are similar to kerogens, which are important in forming oil.
In 1989, Dr. Larter studied minerals like calcite and kaolinite. These minerals formed during a time called the late Cimmerian erosion. He also visited oil fields named Huldra and Veslefrikk. He compared his findings from both places. He found that adding saltwater at the Huldra field changed the fluids there. This replaced old rainwater that was not found at Veslefrikk field.
In 1993, Dr. Larter studied oil from the Ula oil field. He collected minerals like quartz, albite, and orthoclase. By studying these, he and his team learned why the oil in Ula's field changes so quickly.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Larter is a fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected science group. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Here are some of the awards he has received:
- William Smith Medal (1998)
- Friendship Medal (2000)
- CSPG Medal of Merit (2012, 2014)
- Treibs Medal (2014)
