Jerry Dunga is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Exploration Targeting in the School of Earth and Oceans at the University of Western Australia. His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Papua New Guinea (2011), a Master of Science in Geoscience from UWA (2015, thesis on the structural setting, wall rock alteration and gold mineralisation of the Mt. Percy gold deposit, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia), and a Graduate Certificate in Education (Academic Practice) from James Cook University (2018). Since 2022, he has been pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy under supervisors Professors Steffen Hagemann and Marco Fiorentini, and Dr. Peter Pollard. The project investigates the source, nature, timing and evolution of ore-forming fluids and processes leading to mineralised breccia pipes near porphyry Cu-Au systems, with a case study on the New York breccia pipe in the Ok Tedi district, Papua New Guinea. It is sponsored by Ok Tedi Mining Ltd and the Society of Economic Geologists Student Research Grant.

Prior to commencing his PhD, Jerry Dunga gained extensive industry and academic experience. He served as Trainee Exploration Geologist at Petromin PNG Holdings Ltd (2010-2011), Mine/Resource Geologist at Newcrest Mining Ltd Lihir Operation (2011-2013), Lecturer and Postgraduate Coordinator in Earth Sciences at the University of Papua New Guinea (2016-2021), and Senior Project Geologist at Newcrest Lihir (2020-2021), leading ore delineation and characterisation efforts. His research interests center on economic geology and mineral exploration for Cu, Au and metalliferous deposits in porphyry, epithermal, carbonate-base metal and orogenic Au systems. Notable publications include 'Continental subduction controls regional magma heterogeneity and distribution of porphyry deposits in post-collisional settings' (Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2024, with C.G. Soder and R.L. Romer), 'Structural setting, wall rock alteration and gold mineralisation of the Mt. Percy gold deposit, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia' (Mineralium Deposita, 2021, with D. Sully et al.), 'Hydrothermal alteration zonation and Au-Cu footprint of the New York breccia pipe, Ok Tedi, PNG' (2023), and 'The mineralogy and geochemistry of porphyry stocks and dykes... at the Mt. Percy gold deposit' (FUTURESS II Conference, 2017).

Professional Email: jerry.dunga@research.uwa.edu.au