Gwyneth Alva Challis

Gwyneth Alva Challis, known as Alva, (25 January 1930 – 21 November 2010) was a Welsh-born New Zealand geologist who discovered the mineral Wairauite, and pioneered the use of x-rays for mineral investigation in New Zealand.

Life and work Challis was born in Port Talbot, Wales, on 25 January 1930. In 1952, she emigrated with her parents to New Zealand, where she worked as a radiographer in Invercargill and Wellington. She undertook a master's degree majoring in geology at Victoria University of Wellington, studying part-time, where in 1959 she won the Sir Robert Stout scholarship for best student.

Selected works