Professor Gregor Verbic is a faculty member at the University of Sydney in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering , where he serves as Director of the Centre for Future Energy Networks . Previously, he held an assistant professor position at the University of Ljubljana and was a NATO-NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Waterloo. His career spans academic research, industry leadership as Head of Interenergo's Investment Department, and extensive collaboration with IEEE. PhD in Electrical Engineering (University of Ljubljana) Senior IEEE Member Research Interests focus on transforming power systems to zero-carbon grids through: Aggregation and control of distributed energy resources (DERs) Frequency control with wind generation and electric vehicles Stochastic optimization for multi-energy systems Smart home energy management with phase change materials Notable Contributions include: 2006 IEEE prize paper for voltage instability prediction 2010-2024: 15 recent publications on DER coordination, network tariffs, and low-inertia grid stability Teaching includes courses on: ELEC3203/ELEC9203: Electricity Networks ELEC5213: Engineering Optimisation ELEC5206: Sustainable Energy Systems Labs & Initiatives Centre for Future Energy Networks The Net Zero Institute
Dr. Ehsan Pashajavid is a Senior Lecturer at Curtin University's School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on stochastic optimization, renewable energy integration, microgrid control, and electric vehicle systems. Research interests include: Microgrid and smart grid control algorithms Renewable energy resource management Power system stability and operation Energy storage optimization Electric vehicle-grid integration His publications demonstrate significant contributions to power system resilience, with recent work emphasizing battery storage economics, fault-tolerant converters, and model predictive control for grid stability. Article trends show strong focus on renewable integration challenges and optimization techniques for modern energy systems. Awards include Senior Member status in IEEE and its Power & Energy, Industrial Applications, and Power Electronics societies. Teaching responsibilities encompass graduate courses in Renewable Power Generation Systems, Smart Grid Control, and Renewable Energy Principles.
Dr. Hyungwoong Ahn is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh and an Adjunct Professor at Yonsei University. His expertise lies in adsorption process engineering, particularly for CO2 capture and gas separation. He leads the Carbon Capture Group and coordinates exchange programs for chemical engineering students. Dr. Ahn holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Yonsei University. Roles: Senior Lecturer (Edinburgh) & Adjunct Professor (Yonsei) Research Focus: Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA), CO2 capture technologies, hydrogen purification, and industrial decarbonisation Key Projects: PSA-SPUR technology development, ship-based carbon capture, and collaboration with HD Korea Shipbuilding Awards: KOFST Brain Pool Fellow, IChemE Global Awards finalist, and Honeywell UniSim Design Challenge winner His research integrates equilibrium theory analysis, numerical simulation, and experimental validation to advance carbon capture systems. He has authored over 50 publications (H-index 32) and secured funding from EPSRC, BEIS, KETEP, and others.
Prof. Tansu Alpcan is a Professor and Reader in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at The University of Melbourne, Australia. He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and has held academic positions at Technical University Berlin and Deutsche Telekom Laboratories. His research focuses on AI/ML applications in engineering, game theory, cybersecurity, Industry 4.0, quantum machine learning, smart grids, and communication networks. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (UIUC, 2006); MSc (UIUC, 2003); BEng (Bogazici University, 1999). Research interests include adversarial machine learning, cybersecurity games, quantum computing, and renewable energy systems. Authored over 200 papers and two books, including Network Security: A Decision and Game Theoretic Approach (Cambridge, 2011). Recipient of IEEE Senior Membership (2012) and multiple best paper awards. He leads the WILAB and has secured grants such as the ARC Training Centre in Optimisation Technologies. Current projects include quantum machine learning, adversarial reinforcement learning, and smart grid modeling. Supervised 17 PhD and 3 Master’s students.
Dr. Nagham Saeed is an Associate Professor in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, where she has been actively engaged in teaching and research since 2007. She holds a PhD in Intelligent MANET Optimisation from Brunel University and leads the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) research group. Her academic service includes editorial and technical committee roles for IEEE and MDPI, and she is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), Senior Member of IEEE, Member of IET, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). PhD in Intelligent MANET Optimisation System, Brunel University (2011) Her research focuses on intelligent systems for smart cities, applying artificial intelligence to telecommunications, energy modeling, and industrial applications. She explores AI-driven optimization in next-generation networks, smart grid integration, battery management systems, and sustainable ICT. Her work also extends to engineering education, particularly feedforward teaching methods and student engagement. The recent publications reveal a strong trend in applying AI and machine learning to solve real-world challenges in energy systems, IoT, transportation, and environmental sustainability, often with a focus on smart cities and renewable integration. Dr. Saeed has been recognized with several awards, including: 2021 University of West London Student Union Best Supervisor/Tutor Award 2022 IEEE Region 8 Outstanding Women in Engineering Section Volunteer Award She mentors early-career engineers and academics and actively promotes electrical and electronic engineering among young girls. She has served as the 2023 IEEE Women in Engineering UK & Ireland Chair and is currently the Vice Chair (Chair-Elect) for the IEEE UK & Ireland Section (2024–2025). Her leadership spans technical innovation, academic service, and diversity advocacy in engineering. She teaches across a range of programs, including MSc Industrial Internet of Things, BEng and MSc Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and supervises PhD research in related fields.
Dr. Behrang Vand Alimohammadisagvand is a Lecturer at the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University. His research focuses on sustainable energy systems, building performance, and smart energy management, with strong international collaboration across Iran, China, Finland, and the UK. B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Mechanical and Energy Engineering Ph.D. in Energy and Building Technology His research interests include sustainable development, low-carbon technologies, energy policy, thermal comfort in buildings, and energy management systems at multiple scales. He actively investigates model predictive control (MPC), demand response, energy sharing in communities, and low-temperature heating networks. His work bridges theoretical modeling and practical implementation in real-world buildings. Dr. Vand's recent publications highlight trends in integrated energy management , smart grid optimization , and decarbonization of building heating systems . His articles emphasize mathematical modeling, simulation, and control strategies to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the built environment. He supervises doctoral students working on smart IoT systems and low-temperature heat networks. His research is supported by funders such as the Academy of Finland and Energy Technology Partnership. Active supervisor for PhD project on smart IoT systems with real-time deep learning (since 2022) Director of Studies for PhD on heating Scottish public buildings with low-temperature networks (2018–2024) He is affiliated with the Institute for Sustainable Construction and contributes to the research theme Culture and Communities . His work aligns with global efforts toward net-zero emissions and sustainable urban development.
Sonja Wogrin is a University Professor (Univ.-Prof.) at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), where she has been heading the Institute for Electricity Economics and Energy Innovation since August 2021. She holds a Dipl.-Ing. in Technical Mathematics from TU Graz (2008), a Master of Science in Computation for Design and Optimization from MIT (2008), and a doctorate in Electricity Systems from Universidad Pontificia Comillas (2013). Her educational background includes: Doctorate in Electricity Systems, Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (June 2013) Dipl.-Ing. in Technical Mathematics, Graz University of Technology (October 2008) Master of Science in Computation for Design and Optimization, MIT (June 2008) Professor Wogrin's research focuses on decision support systems in the energy sector, optimization methodologies, and particularly the problem of generation capacity expansion. Her work spans several key areas including bilevel programming, capacity expansion planning, energy storage systems, and time series aggregation for energy system optimization. She has made significant contributions to understanding how to integrate renewable energy sources into power systems while maintaining economic efficiency and grid stability. Her research often addresses the challenges of decarbonizing electricity systems through advanced mathematical modeling and optimization techniques. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on improving the computational efficiency of energy system models while maintaining accuracy, with particular attention to the integration of renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and the development of resilient energy communities. She has pioneered work on time series aggregation methods that balance computational tractability with model accuracy, which is crucial for long-term energy planning under uncertainty. Professor Wogrin has received several prestigious awards and fellowships including: 4th EASE Student Award for "Co-Optimisation of energy storage technologies in tactical and strategic planning models" (2019) Beca de movilidad para investigadores "NILS Ciencia y Sostenibilidad" (2015) Beca Erasmus "Personal Docente/Investigador" de formación (2016) Beca Iberdrola de ayuda a la investigación en energía y medio ambiente (2020) She leads multiple significant research projects including EU - NetZero-Opt, RINGs, iKlimET, V2G-QUESTS, and CIDEAL, which focus on optimizing energy systems for net-zero emissions, resilient energy networks, climate and energy system modeling, vehicle-to-grid integration, and industrial decarbonization. Her work has substantial practical implications for energy policy and grid operations in Austria and beyond. Professor Wogrin collaborates extensively with industry partners including Austrian Power Grid AG, KELAG, and Netz Niederösterreich, ensuring her research addresses real-world energy challenges. Professor Wogrin leads the research group at the Institute for Electricity Economics and Energy Innovation, which develops advanced optimization models for energy systems. Her team has created the LEGO (Low-carbon Expansion Generation Optimization) model, an open-source tool for energy system optimization that has gained international recognition. The group's work spans from fundamental optimization methods to practical applications in energy system planning and operation, with a strong emphasis on computational efficiency and model accuracy.
Morteza Haghighat Sefat is an Associate Professor at the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society and the Institute for GeoEnergy Engineering at Heriot-Watt University. His research focuses on well decommissioning, advanced well completion technologies, intelligent well design, and integrated asset modeling with a particular emphasis on CO2 storage integrity and optimization under uncertainty. He teaches Drilling Engineering and Integrated Asset Modelling. His research outputs span topics such as risk-based well integrity assessment for CO2 storage, flow control device optimization in multilateral wells, and methane emissions from decommissioned petroleum wells in British Columbia. He employs hybrid optimization techniques, machine learning, and numerical simulation to address challenges in reservoir management and environmental impact assessment. Key collaborations involve institutions exploring CO2 storage applications and advanced well technologies. His work bridges theoretical models with practical field applications, emphasizing proactive optimization and sustainability in energy systems.
Dr Dylan Cuskelly is a Lecturer in the School of Engineering at the University of Newcastle, Australia. His research focuses on advanced materials development for energy storage and sustainable manufacturing, alongside STEM education innovation. He co-founded MGA Thermal, a company commercializing thermal energy storage materials derived from miscibility gap alloys (MGAs). Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering (University of Newcastle, 2015) Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Hons) (University of Newcastle, 2009) Research Interests: Development of novel materials for energy storage applications Synthesis of MAX/MAB phase ceramics and metal alloys Economical material production processes Integration of renewable energy storage solutions STEM education pedagogy and curriculum design Grants & Awards: 2022: iSTEM Zero to Hero grant (Google Australia, $11,863) 2019: Optimisation of Thermal Energy Storage grant (MGA Thermal, $192,000) 2017: Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award (University of Newcastle) Collaborations: Active partnerships with industry (MGA Thermal, Sunburnt Space Co), academia (University of Melbourne), and international research networks. Labs/Teams: Leads the Advanced Materials Group at Newcastle, focusing on thermal energy storage materials and sustainable manufacturing processes.
Thomas Ebel is Professor and Head of the Centre for Industrial Electronics at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) , Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. A leading expert in power electronics, high-voltage engineering and capacitor technology, he directs large, multi-partner research projects and teaches/supervises at both graduate and PhD levels. Education & Career Path Prof. Ebel holds the academic title Dr. rer. nat. and has been appointed full Professor at SDU. He concurrently serves as Head of Section at the Centre for Industrial Electronics, orchestrating cross-disciplinary research teams and infrastructure. Research Interests Power Electronics & Power Conversion: advanced converter topologies, WBG devices (GaN, SiC), high-frequency magnetics, grid-forming control. Dielectric Materials & Capacitors: polymer and hybrid nanocomposite dielectrics, self-healing metallized film capacitors, aluminium electrolytic capacitors, lifetime modelling and reliability. High-Voltage Engineering & Breakdown Physics: breakdown mechanisms in nanocomposites, corona and partial discharge, insulation coordination. IoT & Data-Driven Monitoring: real-time condition monitoring, digital twins, data-driven RUL estimation for power components. Publication Trends Across 133 research outputs (2018-2025) the dominant themes are (i) construction and reliability of 700 V-class aluminium polymer electrolytic capacitors, (ii) GaN-based power converter optimisation, (iii) hybrid AC/DC microgrid control and harmonic mitigation, and (iv) nanocomposite dielectrics for next-generation capacitors. The 15 most recent articles (2025) reinforce these directions while adding socio-technical energy analytics and green-vehicle powertrains. Scientific Awards Tek Innovation Prize 2023 – awarded for outstanding contributions to power electronics research and industrial innovation. Advising & Funding Prof. Ebel currently supervises ~10 PhD candidates and post-docs including L. Tavares, M. A. Khan, R. Maheshwari, S. Mateen, A. N. Pinky and others. He is Principal Investigator or Head Coordinator of six active projects (2024-2027) valued at >€8 M, spanning ultra-high-efficiency drives, hydrogen-PtX converters, self-healing capacitors and hybrid power-plant concepts. Laboratory & Teams He heads the High-Voltage Power Electronics Laboratory at SDU, equipped with 700 V/200 A capacitor test rigs, GaN/SiC converter prototyping benches, and environmental chambers for accelerated ageing studies. The centre collaborates with 20+ industrial partners and coordinates the international IEA Wind Task 50 on hybrid power plants.
Dr Leok Lee is a Lecturer in the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide . He is also an active member of the Centre for Energy Technology , contributing to cutting-edge research in renewable energy systems. Research Interests: Renewable energy systems, with a focus on solar thermal energy and energy storage. System integration and optimisation of complex transient energy systems. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental design for energy applications. Decarbonisation of heavy industry through clean energy technologies. His research spans from fundamental studies in heat transfer and fluid mechanics to applied engineering solutions for decarbonising industrial processes. He has led and contributed to projects funded by ARENA and HILT CRC, targeting the integration of concentrated solar thermal energy into industrial applications such as the Bayer Alumina process. Supervision & Mentorship: Dr Lee is eligible to supervise Masters and PhD students and actively mentors undergraduate, Masters, and PhD candidates. He encourages prospective students to contact him via email to discuss research opportunities. Contact: Email: leok.lee@adelaide.edu.au Location: Room 3, Engineering South, North Terrace Campus
Professor Ronny Pini is a Professor of Multiphase Systems at Imperial College London's Department of Chemical Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on sustainable industrial processes, particularly carbon capture and storage (CCS), porous media dynamics, and imaging-based process design. He holds a PhD in Mechanical and Process Engineering from ETH Zurich and has held academic positions including Senior Lecturer and Reader at Imperial College since 2015. His educational background includes a Postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University (2010-2013) and prior roles at the Colorado School of Mines. Research interests span multiphase flow mechanics, adsorption science, and environmental engineering applications. Key projects include the InFUSE Prosperity Partnership and Digital Rocks Lab, leveraging X-ray tomography, positron emission tomography, and computational models to study subsurface CO2 storage and sustainable materials. Professor Pini's work integrates chemical engineering with material science and earth sciences, addressing global challenges like industrial decarbonisation. He collaborates on developing advanced imaging techniques to characterise porous media behavior and optimise processes for energy transition. Current focus areas include direct air capture technologies and enhancing oil recovery via CO2 utilisation. His research outputs include over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent emphasis on adsorption-based CO2 capture systems, pore-scale transport phenomena, and sustainable process design frameworks. He is actively involved in training early-career researchers through Imperial College's Chemical Engineering programs and international collaborations.
Dr. Erica Ballantyne is a Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management at the University of Sheffield Management School, where she leads the Logistics & Supply Chain Management Research Theme. With a PhD from the University of Leeds and industry experience at major logistics firms, her work focuses on sustainable transport solutions. She holds a PG Certificate in Learning & Teaching and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Education: BSc Hons Business Administration & Transport Management (Cardiff University) MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management (University of Hull) PhD in Transport Studies (University of Leeds) Research Interests: Dr. Ballantyne specializes in electric vehicle applications in logistics, urban freight planning, and sustainable transport policy. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates energy storage solutions with transport systems, reverse logistics optimization, and behavioral aspects of supply chain management. Publication Trends: Recent works demonstrate a strong focus on data-driven modeling of EV energy consumption, infrastructure integration for urban fleets, and policy frameworks for sustainable freight. Methodologies emphasize empirical analysis and cross-sector applications. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Research Leadership: Principal Investigator for multiple grants including EPSRC-funded 'Fleet Energy Optimisation' and EU H2020 project 'ProSFeT'. Actively supervises PhD candidates investigating EV charging infrastructure and last-mile delivery solutions. Professional Engagement: Committee member of Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) South Yorkshire group, with research cited in international policy frameworks.
Dr Smitha Gopinath is a Lecturer in the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield , where she leads research in sustainable engineering systems within the Sustainable Design Laboratory (SDL) . Education & Career Path PhD in Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London Post-doctoral researcher, Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory Research Focus Dr Gopinath’s interdisciplinary work centres on the design, calibration and operation of sustainable engineering systems . She develops high-fidelity models and large-scale optimisation algorithms tailored to energy and materials challenges. Core interests include: Thermo-mechanical energy conversion devices (heat pumps, organic Rankine cycles) Carbon-capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) via novel solvents and separation systems Power-grid expansion and operation for renewable integration and decarbonisation Methodologically, she integrates Integrated Molecular and Process Synthesis (IMPS) with Optimisation Accelerated by domain Knowledge (OAK) to co-design molecules, materials and flowsheets that meet stringent energy and environmental targets. Publication Landscape Across 2015–2025 her publications reveal a clear trajectory from fundamental thermodynamic measurements and molecular design toward rigorous optimisation of large-scale energy systems. Early work concentrated on CO₂ solubility and carbonation kinetics of steel slag, providing essential data for carbon-sequestration schemes. Subsequent papers introduced advanced optimisation frameworks—outer-approximation algorithms, exact reformulations and feasibility-based methods—applied to solvent-based CO₂ capture, organic Rankine cycle working-fluid selection and AC optimal power flow (ACOPF). Recent contributions benchmark global optimality certificates for ACOPF problems, underscoring her drive to bridge chemical process systems engineering with electrical power systems optimisation. Teaching & Mentoring Dr Gopinath teaches undergraduate modules: CPE440 (Particle Technology) CPE170 (Particle Technology) She actively invites prospective PhD students to join the Sustainable Design Laboratory, offering supervision on projects spanning sustainable process design, renewable energy systems and algorithmic optimisation. Laboratory & Collaborative Networks She directs the Sustainable Design Laboratory (SDL), a multidisciplinary team leveraging systems engineering, multi-scale modelling, process simulation and optimisation to re-imagine a sustainable chemical and energy industry. The SDL collaborates with international partners, including Los Alamos National Laboratory and leading researchers in applied mathematics and power systems engineering.
Dr Sanjeev Gambhir is a Senior Research Fellow at the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong. With over 30 years of experience in chemistry, he leads bioinks synthesis and scale-up activities at TRICEP (Translational Research Initiative for Cellular Engineering and Printing) facility. His work bridges academic research with commercial translation, particularly in 3D bioprinting of living tissues. B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from Garhwal University Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Indian Institute of Petroleum Research focuses on 3D bioprinting technologies, graphene composites, conducting polymers, and hydrogel engineering. Key challenges addressed include biomaterial diversity limitations, bioprinted construct characterisation, and scalable bioink formulation. His work spans tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and industrial applications. Major publications appear in Nature Communications , Journal of the American Chemical Society , and Advanced Materials . With 60+ peer-reviewed papers and an H-index of 28, his research on graphene composites and conducting hydrogels has significant citations in biomedical and materials science domains. Frater Award (Australian National Fabrication Facility, 2013) Active in mentoring junior staff and students, Gambhir collaborates with Inventia Life Science Pty Ltd and Professor Fiona Wood at the University of Western Australia. Current funding includes MRFF grants for intraoperative skin regeneration systems and translational projects through University of Wollongong infrastructure grants.
