Jane Plant

Plant was appointed a CBE in 1997 in recognition of her contribution to Earth science and industry. She was a British Geological Survey scientist until her retirement from the role of Chief Scientist in 2005. Plant was Emeritus Professor of Geochemistry at Imperial College until her death on 4 March 2016.

Her research in the environmental geochemical field became more personal in 1993 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the sixth time. She noticed the low cancer rate among Chinese women and discovered a correlation between cancer rate and dairy consumption. Her research led to many of the protocols used in today's geochemical mapping projects worldwide.

She was assigned to the Atomic Energy Section in London, led by Stanley Bowie. She developed methods for a regional geochemical survey in the north of Scotland and was awarded a PhD in 1977 from the University of Leicester for her thesis "Regional Geochemical mapping in Great Britain with particular reference to sources of error".

Her personal influence on the research community was great. After getting her PhD in 1977, she received a special merit promotion in 1983. Along with numerous awards, she was also a member of Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (1999-2005). Her achievements were recognized by her peers with many awards.

Plant spent most of her career at the British Geological Survey (BGS), and is credited for establishing the ‘Environment and Health’ as significant research. She joined the Institute for Geological Sciences (former name of BGS) in 1967, at the age of 23. There, she led the geochemical reconnaissance programme mapping the presence of elements in Scottish Highlands. She was the first woman to be appointed to a Scientific Officer role rather than in a technical or supporting grade.

Plant was born in Woodville, Derbyshire, the only child of Ralph and Marjorie (née Langton) Lunn who were village shopkeepers. She attended at Ashby de la Zouche Grammar School from where she went to Liverpool University in 1963. She graduated with first class honours in geology and took the prize for the best degree in her year.

Jane Anne Plant CBE, FREng, FRSE, FRSA (1945–2016) was a leading geochemist, scientist, and author. Plant was a pioneer in the field of geochemical surveys and environmental surveys. She was Chief Scientist at the British Geological Survey and was a Professor of Geochemistry at Imperial College London. Plant was also highly involved in the Institution of Mining & Metallurgy (now Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining) where she was involved in many aspects including a role on the Council, and was the first female President of the Institution of Mining & Metallurgy, a post she held from 2001 to 2002. This gave her an extensive network of key connections with government, industry and academia.