Corale Brierley

Corale Brierley, the daughter of ranchers, grew up in southwestern Montana.  She wanted to go to Montana State University so she wouldn't have to clean the chicken coop anymore.  Her mom told her to go to college and find an "eligible" man if she didn't want to do ranch work.  She attended MSU and studied microbiology where she met her future husband, Jim, also a microbiologist. Brierley, who found her calling in microbiology at MSU, is widely and internationally appreciated due to her pioneering research and contribution to applications in bioleaching and metal remediation. Over her 35-year career, her roles comprised an international consultant, head of environmental process development at Newmont Mining Corporation, Managing Advanced Minerals Technology Inc. and applied research, development and teaching at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. In 1999, Brierley was inducted into the U.S. National Academy of Engineering for "innovations applying biotechnology to mine production and remediation.” Few women are inducted into the academy even to this day.

Corale Brierley is widely and internationally appreciated due to her pioneering research and contribution to applications in bioleaching and metal remediation.