Dr Andrew Rhead is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, specializing in aerospace composites and damage tolerance analysis. His research focuses on impact damage detection, failure mechanism modeling, and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques for composite structures. MSci in Mathematical Sciences (Dynamical Systems) - University of Bristol (2006) PhD in Composite Damage Tolerance - University of Bath (2009) His work develops computationally efficient analytical models for compression after impact (CAI) strength prediction in composite laminates, surpassing traditional finite element methods. Key projects include hydrogen storage systems for aircraft, cryogenic composite testing, and steered fiber manufacturing optimization. Active in 10 projects including ASPIRE and HyFIVE Collaborates with Airbus, GKN Aerospace, and EPSRC Research trends show emphasis on sustainable aviation materials, structural battery integration, and advanced testing methodologies. Current affiliations include the Institute for Mathematical Innovation (IMI) and Centre for Integrated Materials, Processes & Structures (IMPS).
Timothy Abram is a Professor of Nuclear Fuel Technology at the University of Manchester, holding the Westinghouse Chair since 2008. He leads the U-Battery HTGR project and serves as Visiting Senior Research Fellow at NNL. His expertise spans nuclear fuels (MOX, ATF, TRISO) and reactor systems (gas-cooled, VHTR), with roles in IAEA, UK Government advisory boards, and the UK Nuclear Regulator’s committee. He directs the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre for Nuclear Science and Engineering. Education: BSc and PhD (details unspecified). Research focuses on advanced nuclear fuels, thermal conductivity, and sustainable energy solutions, contributing to UN SDGs. Projects include molten salt reactor research (Radiochemical Facilities, DAWNMANTLE) and waste minimization strategies. Over 15 EU projects and 72 research outputs demonstrate his global impact. Awards: Not explicitly listed. Collaborations include international networks in nuclear innovation and material science. Advising roles include external examiner for Royal Navy and Cambridge MPhil programs.
Salvador Navarro-Martinez is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London, affiliated with the Energy Futures Lab and Thermofluids research groups. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Zaragoza (Spain) and a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Southampton, where his doctoral work focused on numerical simulations of hypersonic flows and heat transfer for planetary re-entry systems. BEng (Ingeniero Industrial): University of Zaragoza, Spain PhD: University of Southampton, UK His research interests span combustion modeling, spray atomization, and computational fluid dynamics. Notable achievements include the Sugden Award (Combustion Institute, 2005 & 2007) and a Royal Society University Fellowship (2009) for studying droplet size distributions. His work bridges aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, and interdisciplinary engineering applications. He has contributed to Large Eddy Simulation (LES) frameworks for combustion systems and has expertise in experimental measurements of complex fluid dynamics. His current role at Imperial College emphasizes collaborative research in energy-efficient technologies and advanced thermal management systems.
Dr Bahareh Zaghari (MSc, PhD, CEng, FHEA) is a Lecturer in the Electrical Power Engineering group at the University of Southampton's School of Electronics and Computer Science. Her research focuses on electrified aircraft systems, sensors with machine learning applications, electrical power systems, and nonlinear dynamics modeling. Current projects include acoustic sensing for temperature/flow measurement Co-design of electrical machines for aircraft electrification Research activities span hybrid-electric aircraft design (FutPrint50 Horizon project), fully electric aircraft development (EnabEl Innovate UK), and smart sensing systems for aerospace components. Industrial collaborations include KISTLER, iNetic, PALL Aerospace, Safran, ARUP, Embraer, and BAE Systems. Conference coordinator for IEEE Transportation Electrification Council's Electrified Aircraft committee Chair of IEEE/AIAA Electrified Aircraft Technology Symposium (2023) Panel moderator at AIAA Propulsion and Energy (2021) Her work demonstrates innovative applications of acoustic transducers in harsh environments, with contributions to temperature mapping, fault analysis, and energy harvesting systems. She currently supervises PhD student Shikhar Singh.
Professor Athanassios Manikas holds the Chair of Communications & Array Processing in the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering at Imperial College London, part of the Faculty of Engineering. He is a Fellow of both the IET and IMA, and has held significant editorial roles including Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems. His research focuses on wireless communications, radar systems, antenna array processing, and applied mathematics, with over 50 supervised PhD students and 150+ Masters projects. He leads Imperial's research group in array processing and has extensive industry collaborations, including technical leadership of the University Defence Technology Centre in Signal Processing (2008-2013). Awards include the IEEE PIMRC 2022 Best Paper Award and recognition as an IEEE COMSOC Distinguished Lecturer (2016-2017). His work integrates differential geometry principles with array processing, as detailed in his monograph Differential Geometry in Array Processing . Professor Manikas has served as an expert witness in high-profile cases and contributes to academic governance roles such as the Royal Society's International Fellowship Committee. His research group is affiliated with the Space Lab at Imperial, focusing on innovative applications of array signal processing in aerospace and defense systems.
Dr. Michael J Pekris is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Sciences at the University of Surrey, serving as Director of Employability within the School of Engineering. He holds a MEng and DPhil from the University of Oxford (2004), with a thesis on liquid crystal heat transfer in turbine blade cooling. His career includes R&D roles at Rolls-Royce, focusing on advanced seal technology and engine efficiency. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), Fellow of the IMechE (2023), and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His research spans sustainable aviation, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer, with a focus on brush seals, hydrogen-fueled aircraft, and transcritical CO2 systems. He leads the Surrey Aerothermal Test Facility (SATF) and collaborates on projects like the Surrey Hydrogen Aircraft Performance Evaluator (SHAPE). He also serves as IMechE Academic Liaison Officer and Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Scheme Champion. Research interests include environmental technologies for aero-engine seals, sustainable aviation (electric/hydrogen), fluid dynamics, thermodynamic cycles, and rotating machinery. His work addresses energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, and low-emission propulsion systems. Notable contributions include Rolls-Royce Innovation Award (2013) and patents on seal technology. He actively engages in professional development initiatives and industry-academia partnerships. Publications emphasize seal dynamics, CFD modeling, and thermal management. Recent work explores hydrogen-fueled aircraft viability and CO2-based power systems. Collaborations involve Rolls-Royce, ASME Turbo Expo, and Surrey’s interdisciplinary engineering teams. His academic roles include teaching Structural Vibrations and Engineering Management, and advising the Professional Training Year module.
Professor Peter Y. K. Cheung is a Professor of Digital Systems at Imperial College London, holding dual affiliations within the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the Dyson School of Design Engineering. His work focuses on reconfigurable systems, FPGA architectures, and high-level synthesis tools. He co-founded one of the UK's leading FPGA research groups with Professor Wayne Luk, addressing challenges in variability mitigation, reliability, and application-specific FPGA deployments. His research spans Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) Reconfigurable computing Neural network acceleration Cryptographic protocols Embedded systems He has pioneered techniques such as logic shrinkage for FPGA-based neural networks and developed frameworks like LUTNet for efficient inference. His contributions also include fault-tolerant FPGA designs and methodologies for distributed computation protocols. Key collaborations include work with the Department of Computing on FPGA-based AI acceleration and cybersecurity applications. His recent work explores edge computing, secure decentralized systems, and pandemic modeling using adaptive control strategies. Notable projects include the DSCS protocol for secure distributed computation, acceleration of gravitational wave detection algorithms, and energy-efficient CNN implementations. His research bridges hardware-software co-design with real-world applications in healthcare, finance, and aerospace.
Dr. Andrea Lecchini Visintini is an Associate Professor at the School of Electronics and Computer Science , University of Southampton. He specializes in systems modelling and control with applications in aerospace engineering and biomedical domains, utilizing Monte Carlo methods for stochastic optimization. Cyber-Physical Systems Research Group Institute for Life Sciences Research Focus: His work bridges computational methods with practical applications in: Neurovascular coupling and brain tissue pulsation analysis Advanced control strategies for aerospace systems Stochastic optimization in machine learning and fault detection Medical imaging and diagnostic protocol development Publication Trends: Recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining computational neuroscience with engineering, focusing on brain hemodynamics, MIMO system control, and data augmentation techniques for imbalanced datasets. Supervision: Currently supervising PhD student Xuankun Cai in Computer Science.
Dr. Hongye Zhang serves as a Lecturer in Superconducting and Cryogenic Electric Machines at the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, while maintaining a Visiting Research Fellow position at the University of Manchester. He actively contributes to the European Society for Applied Superconductivity (ESAS) as a Board Member and chairs the international HTS 2026 workshop. His educational foundation includes: BSc and MSc in Electrical Engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University (2015, 2018) Diplôme d’ingénieur (MEng) from École Centrale de Lyon (2018) PhD in Applied Superconductivity from the University of Edinburgh (2021) Dr. Zhang’s research centers on decarbonizing transport through superconducting/cryogenic electric machines for hydrogen-powered aircraft, integrating artificial intelligence with superconductor technology and cryogenic techniques. His work targets net zero emissions by developing high-power-density propulsion systems that leverage hydrogen energy and advanced numerical modeling of superconductors. Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in superconducting machine design for wind energy and electric aviation, with significant contributions to loss mitigation, flux pump technology, and trapped field magnet applications. His research bridges fundamental superconductor characterization with practical system integration for renewable energy. Recognized with the 2021 IEEE Council on Superconductivity Graduate Study Fellowship, his professional engagements include: Early Career Editorial Board Member for Elsevier’s Superconductivity journal Technical Editor for IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity Program Committee Member for SMT 2023 He leads critical research within the £54-million H2GEAR project developing hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion, while teaching Power Engineering 2 and Electrical Machines courses. His advisory roles span doctoral supervision and industry collaboration through Energy Systems research institute. Based at the University of Edinburgh’s Faraday Building, Dr. Zhang directs a research group focused on hydrogen energy applications and superconducting machine testing, with strong ties to the H2GEAR consortium and ESAS working groups.
Dr. David Jordan is a Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies at King's College London, based at the Defence Academy of the UK. He serves as Co-Director of the Freeman Air and Space Institute and holds roles such as Academic Director (Air) for the Advanced Command & Staff Course. His research focuses on air and space power, military history, and strategic studies, with notable works including Understanding Modern Warfare . He has contributed to radio/TV commentary on air power and defence matters and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Royal Historical Society, and Royal Society of Arts. Education: Doctorate in relevant field (not explicitly stated). Affiliations: RAF Centre for Air & Space Power Studies (RAFCASPS) Chief of the Air Staff’s Air Power Workshop His teaching includes modules on air power theory, the Falklands War, and Royal Air Force history. He supervises PhD students researching topics like space power theory, air power doctrine, and British military history since 1914. Recent research highlights include analyses of air power in the Falklands Conflict, RAF maritime operations, and space strategy. He has authored over 30 publications, including peer-reviewed articles on historical battles and contemporary military operations. Grants and projects involve collaboration with institutions like the Freeman Air and Space Institute, focusing on independent research into air and space power issues. His work often intersects with policy analysis, such as NATO operations and defense reviews.
Mike Grimble is a Research Professor in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, Faculty of Engineering. His work is centered on advanced control systems with applications across automotive, aerospace, marine, and industrial domains. He is actively involved in theoretical and applied research, particularly in nonlinear and robust control methodologies. Research Interests: Theory and application of nonlinear and robust control for multivariable systems Adaptive control and estimation methods Benchmarking and performance assessment of control systems Condition monitoring and industrial applications Real-time control and embedded systems His recent publications highlight a strong trend in applying predictive and adaptive control techniques to electric vehicles, battery systems, underwater robotics, and industrial machinery. These works emphasize real-time implementation, energy optimization, and robustness—critical for modern sustainable and autonomous systems. Scientific Recognition and Activities: Invited speaker on the benefits and challenges of advanced control in industrial applications (2013) Contributor to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in sustainable industry and innovation Active research output with over 158 publications, including journals, conferences, and book chapters Research Leadership and Funding: Principal Investigator on multiple EPSRC and RSE-funded projects Co-investigator in interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Medical Devices Doctoral Training Centre Organizer of international workshops on hybrid and predictive control Labs and Research Teams: He is associated with the Industrial Control Centre at the University of Strathclyde, a leading hub for control engineering research. His collaborations span departments and institutions, involving real-time LabVIEW implementations, hardware demonstrations, and partnerships with industry players like National Instruments and Quanser Inc.
Tobias Hermann serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford's Department of Engineering Science, where he leads research within the Oxford Thermofluids Institute and holds a prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship. Affiliated with St. Hilda's College as an Associate Research Fellow, his work centers on experimental hypersonics and advanced diagnostic development for extreme aerospace environments. Hermann earned his Dipl.-Ing. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Stuttgart (2012) followed by a Dr.-Ing. degree (2017), with doctoral research focused on spacecraft re-entry phenomena and aerothermochemistry during atmospheric entry. His thesis involved developing optical diagnostics including Vacuum Ultraviolet spectroscopy and tomographic emission systems. His research program emphasizes experimental hypersonics and plasma flows , with core expertise in spacecraft re-entry physics , high-temperature material-flow interactions , and optical diagnostic innovation . Hermann pioneered analytical methods for transpiration cooling in porous media and developed system engineering tools for thermal protection systems. His current work bridges fundamental fluid dynamics with practical aerospace applications, particularly in hypersonic vehicle design and re-entry simulation through facilities like the T6 expansion tube. Analysis of Hermann's publication record reveals consistent focus on high-enthalpy flow diagnostics and thermal protection systems , with recent work advancing expansion tube capabilities for boost-glide re-entry simulation, integrated arc-jet facilities for ablating models, and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy for plasma flow characterization. His research demonstrates strong integration of experimental validation with analytical modeling across hypersonic testing regimes. Hermann's scientific recognition includes: UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2021-present) As an educator, Hermann supervises 4th-year undergraduate projects and DPhil (PhD) students in hypersonics while teaching Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics. His current research portfolio—primarily funded through his UKRI Fellowship—comprises three major thrusts: development of high-enthalpy wind tunnels (including the multi-mode T6 facility), pre-heating of hypersonic models using plasma flows, and advancement of measurement techniques like spatially resolved UV-nIR spectroscopy. These projects address critical gaps in hypersonic testing infrastructure and instrumentation. Hermann directs experimental efforts at Oxford's Southwell Laboratory within the Oxford Hypersonics group, operating facilities including the T6 Stalker tunnel, OPG1 plasma wind tunnel, and specialized arc-jet systems. His team develops cutting-edge instrumentation such as vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy systems, high-speed focused Schlieren, and pressure-sensitive paint diagnostics to investigate complex phenomena in hypersonic boundary layers and re-entry flows.
Professor Steve G Burrow is a faculty member at the School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering at the University of Bristol. His research focuses on energy harvesting, vibration control, and environmental sensing, particularly in aerospace and glaciological contexts. Professor of Aircraft Systems Member of the Cabot Institute for the Environment Active in Dynamics and Control research themes His work in energy harvesting emphasizes electromagnetic transducers and nonlinear resonant structures, while environmental sensing involves deploying sensors under ice sheets to study glacial hydrology. Recent articles highlight inerter-based suspension systems, vibration absorber optimization, and broadband energy harvesting techniques. Collaborations span nonlinear mathematics, glaciology, and structural dynamics. No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned, but his research outputs demonstrate extensive contributions to power electronics and sustainable technologies.
Professor Manolis Gavaises is a leading academic in the field of mechanical engineering and computational fluid dynamics at City St George's, University of London, where he holds the position of Professor in the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. He earned his PhD from Imperial College London and has been a faculty member since 2001, progressing to full Professor in 2009. His research is centered on advanced modeling of multi-phase flows, cavitation, and fuel injection systems, with extensive collaborations across Europe and industry partners such as Delphi, Caterpillar, and BP. Education: DIC, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Imperial College London, 1997 PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Imperial College London, 1997 Diploma (5 years), Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 1992 His research interests span computational fluid dynamics, cavitation, fuel injection, atomization, high-pressure and supercritical flows, and alternative fuels . He has developed advanced numerical models and experimental techniques, including X-ray phase contrast imaging and high-pressure test rigs. His work integrates fundamental DNS and LES simulations with industrial applications in automotive, marine, aerospace, and medical devices such as heart valves. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward real-fluid thermodynamic modeling (e.g., PC-SAFT), multi-component fuel behavior, cavitation erosion, and advanced diagnostics . His research increasingly incorporates machine learning and high-fidelity imaging to understand complex flow phenomena across energy, transportation, and biomedical domains. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Richard Way Prize (1998) Arch T. Collwell Merit Award (1998) Best Oral Paper, SAE World Congress (2006) PE Publication Award, IMechE (2007) Best Presentation Award, Engine Combustion Processes (2009) Fellow, IMechE (2013) Fellow, IMA (2015) As a dedicated mentor, Professor Gavaises has supervised 13 PhDs to completion and currently guides 23 doctoral students. He has secured over €16 million in EU and UK funding, including multiple Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN projects (CAFÉ, HAOS, IPPAD), which support 46 early-career researchers globally. He has created academic opportunities for post-docs and junior faculty, significantly advancing the research profile of his institution. He leads the International Institute of Cavitation Research (IICR), co-founded in 2011 with partners from Loughborough University, TU Delft, and Imperial College, supported by The Lloyd’s Register Foundation. His lab maintains strong experimental capabilities, including a 2000bar pressure flow rig with micro-transparent nozzles and collaborations with Argonne National Laboratory for X-ray imaging.
Khaled Giasin is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Portsmouth, part of the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and affiliated with the Portsmouth Centre for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing. He joined the university in 2019, bringing expertise in machining aerospace materials through experimental and numerical techniques. Prior to this, he worked at Cardiff University on the ASTUTE2020 project, focusing on applied research for advanced manufacturing challenges in Wales. His research interests span machining of metals, composites, and fiber metal laminates, finite element modeling of machining processes, and additive manufacturing of metallic alloys. He collaborates internationally with institutions in France, Turkey, China, and Australia, emphasizing industry-academia partnerships. Dr. Giasin currently supervises PhD projects on topics such as GLARE fiber metal laminate machining and ultrasonic-assisted drilling, reflecting his focus on advanced materials and manufacturing solutions. He teaches modules including Engineering Materials and Design, Advanced Materials, and Metrology. Over 137 research outputs highlight his contributions to machining methodologies, material characterization, and sustainable manufacturing techniques. His work bridges theoretical modeling and industrial applications, addressing challenges in aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors.
