Find Academic Supervisors

Christopher SpicerView profile

Lecturer

• Chemical Biology
• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• +3 more

Dr Christopher Spicer is a Lecturer in Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, University of York. His research focuses on developing synthetic biomolecules and materials to modulate biological systems, with particular emphasis on tissue regeneration and biomaterial design. The Spicer Lab employs interdisciplinary approaches combining chemical biology, materials chemistry, and bioengineering to create platforms that mimic natural regenerative processes. Key research areas include bioconjugation chemistry, dynamic material systems, and the design of 3D scaffolds for controlled cellular behavior. The lab's work bridges chemistry, biology, and materials science to address challenges in regenerative medicine. Current PhD opportunities are available in these fields. Dr Spicer's research emphasizes modular biomaterial platforms, enzymatically triggered delivery systems, and the development of novel bioactive materials. His work is supported by cutting-edge techniques such as solid-phase peptide synthesis, metadynamics simulations, and advanced microscopy. Contact: chris.spicer@york.ac.uk / Spicer Lab Website

Matthieu GresilView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Multifunctional Composite Materials
• Vitrimers
• Bio-based Composites
• +5 more

Dr. Matthieu Gresil is a Senior Lecturer in both the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Monash University. He joined Monash in 2020 and leads the Circular Plastic Research Node within the Faculty of Engineering, focusing on advancing sustainable materials and recycling technologies. His expertise spans multifunctional composites, vitrimers, bio-based materials, and structural health monitoring. Gresil holds a PhD from École Normale Supérieure of Cachan (2009), with postdoctoral experience at the University of South Carolina and the University of Manchester. Education: BSc in Physics, University of Nantes (2004) MSc in Physics (Matter and Materials), University of Nantes (2006) PhD in Physics/Materials, École Normale Supérieure of Cachan (2009) Research Interests: Multifunctional composites (health monitoring, self-healing) Vitrimers and bio-based polymers Nanocomposites and recycling technologies Bio-inspired morphing materials via 3D printing and nanotechnology Grants and Projects: "Vitrimer composites - a new material for Defence applications" (2025–2026) "Developing vitrimers: next generation reusable plastics" (2024–2027) "Recycled Materials for Tram Stop Platforms" (2021–2024) Labs and Roles: Leads the Circular Plastic Research Node, fostering collaboration on sustainable materials and circular economy initiatives.

• Hydrogen Storage
• Materials Engineering
• Nanoporous Materials
• +2 more

Tim Mays is Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Bath, where he also serves as Director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment and Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies. Research Focus: His work centers on hydrogen storage technologies, nanoporous materials, and sustainable energy systems. Current projects include developing advanced materials for cryogenic hydrogen storage and low tritium isotope separation for fusion power applications. Leadership: Directs multidisciplinary research initiatives through the Water Innovation and Research Centre and Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems, leading projects funded by EPSRC and Aerospace Technology Institute.

Chanel FallonView profile

Lecturer

• Dynamic material behavior
• Impact and blast mitigation
• Structural dynamics
• +3 more

Chanel Fallon is a Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, affiliated with the Centre for Integrated Materials, Processes & Structures (IMPS). Her research focuses on dynamic material behavior and infrastructure protection under extreme conditions. She holds a PhD and MEng from the University of Cambridge. Research interests include dynamic experimental techniques (e.g., gas guns, Split-Hopkinson pressure bars), numerical modeling of extreme loading, blast/impact mitigation for civilian infrastructure, and strain-rate/temperature-dependent material characterization. Recent projects include cryogenic composite testing (EPSRC-funded), GKN Prosperity Partnership in aerospace materials, and blast protection strategies for concrete structures. She collaborates widely on material testing and structural resilience. Advising and Grants: Principal Investigator/Co-Investigator on 4 research projects, including EPSRC grants and industry partnerships. Supervises doctoral students in protective materials and structural dynamics. Labs/Teams: Active in the IMPS Centre, specializing in advanced material testing and computational modeling.

Qingye LuView profile

Associate Professor

• Bioadhesion
• Colloid and Interfacial Chemistry
• Nanomaterials/Nanotechnology
• +6 more

Dr. Qingye Lu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on bioadhesion, colloid and interfacial chemistry, nanomaterials, and their applications in environmental and energy systems. She holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Alberta and has postdoctoral training in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Chemical and Materials Engineering. She leads the Laboratory of Interfacial Science and Advanced Materials (LISAM), developing advanced materials for sustainability, energy, and environmental challenges. Education: PhD in Analytical Chemistry, University of Alberta MSc in Physical Chemistry, Wuhan University BSc in Chemistry, Wuhan University Research Interests: Bioinspired materials for CO2 capture and oil/water separation Interfacial science in energy systems (e.g., solar evaporation, fuel cells) Environmental applications: wastewater treatment, heavy metal adsorption Awards: Early Career Research Excellence Award (2020) Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship (2008–2009) Advising: Seeks motivated Master’s and PhD students across disciplines. Labs: LISAM Lab focuses on interfacial science and advanced materials for energy and environment.

Serena MargadonnaView profile

Professor

• Materials Engineering
• Energy Storage
• Advanced Materials Design
• +3 more

Professor Serena Margadonna holds the Chair in Materials Engineering at Swansea University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Department of Chemical Engineering. Her research focuses on advanced materials and process technologies for energy production, transport, and storage, with a vision to address global energy challenges through sustainable solutions. She has a multidisciplinary background spanning chemistry, condensed matter physics, and process engineering, gained through collaborations with international labs and institutions. Her work emphasizes materials operating in extreme conditions, such as high pressures/temperatures and corrosive environments. Key achievements include high-impact publications and international recognition for innovations in battery technologies, supercapacitors, and energy-efficient materials.

Cejna Anna Quist-JensenView profile

Associate Professor

• Membrane Technology
• Water and Wastewater Treatment
• Resource Recovery
• +4 more

Cejna Anna Quist-Jensen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, affiliated with the Bioresources and Process Engineering Center and the Center for Membrane Technology. Her research focuses on membrane-based technologies for resource recovery, including minerals/metals and freshwater from unconventional sources like waste streams. She specializes in membrane distillation, membrane crystallization, electrodialysis, and forward osmosis. Education: PhD in Membrane Crystallization (Institute on Membrane Technology, ITM-CNR, 2016) and MSc in Chemical Engineering (2012). Key projects include BEYONDBATTREC (battery recycling), CORNERSTONE (water-energy-solute recovery), and EXBRINER (seawater brine resources). She teaches Integrated Process Modeling and supervises students across multiple semesters in water/wastewater treatment. Research interests span sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly clean water (SDG 6), affordable energy (SDG 7), and responsible consumption (SDG 12). Her work addresses industrial wastewater treatment, produced water management, and circular economy strategies. Notable contributions include advancements in 3D-printed membranes, percrystallization for zero liquid discharge, and lithium/magnesium recovery from brines. She actively participates in conferences and collaborates internationally on membrane technology innovations.

Ana Maria da Conceição Ferreira TakahashiView profile

Researcher

• Sustainable Processes
• Eco-Friendly Solvents
• Biomass Valorization
• +4 more

Ana Maria da Conceição Ferreira Takahashi is a Junior Researcher at the Aveiro Institute of Materials (CICECO), University of Aveiro, Portugal. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering (2018) and has conducted international research at institutions in Brazil, Japan, Germany, and Portugal. Her work focuses on sustainable processes using eco-friendly solvents for biomass valorization and plastic waste recycling, integrating green chemistry and biotechnology within circular economy frameworks. She leads the FCT-funded project GreenPATH, developing enzymatic depolymerization strategies for polymer recycling. With 43 peer-reviewed publications (h-index 20), she collaborates with industries like LEGO and Volvo in EU initiatives. She has supervised over 25 students and received the CICECO Young Researcher Award (2024). Education: BSc (2011), MSc (2013), and PhD (2018) in Chemical Engineering from University of Aveiro. Postdoctoral work included TUM University Foundation Fellowship (Germany) and JSPS Fellowship (Japan). Research interests emphasize bio-based solvents (ionic liquids, DESs), enzyme-assisted depolymerization, and computational tools like COSMO-RS for solvent selection. Projects include plastic additive removal, biomass extraction, and industrial collaboration for sustainable technologies.

• Control Theory
• Applied Mathematics
• Computational Mechanics
• +7 more

Goong Chen is a Professor at Texas A&M University (TAMU) within the College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on Control Theory, Applied Mathematics, and interdisciplinary applications in computational mechanics, fluid dynamics, and quantum systems. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin (1977) and a B.S. from National Tsing-Hua University (1972). His research interests span computational biomechanics, forensic modeling, nanofluidics, and mathematical physics. Recent work includes modal analysis of animal motion, crash mechanics of aircraft, and forensic reconstruction of disasters. He has contributed to theoretical advancements in PDEs, nonlinear dynamics, and quantum computing. Chen’s articles address cutting-edge topics like thermoelastic plates, Volterra equations, and DFIM systems. He has pioneered numerical methods for complex systems using OpenFOAM and finite element techniques. His computational models have been applied to real-world scenarios such as submarine implosions and chemical warfare forensics. No academic awards are explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record reflects significant contributions to applied mathematics and engineering. He leads research teams focused on interdisciplinary challenges in computational science and engineering.

Elena Castell-PerezView profile

Professor

• Food Engineering
• Biomaterials Science
• Food Safety Technologies
• +5 more

Elena Castell-Perez is a Professor at Texas A&M University's College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. She holds a B.S. in Food Engineering from Campinas State University (1980), followed by an M.S. (1984) and Ph.D. (1990) in Agricultural Engineering from Michigan State University. Her research focuses on food safety technologies, including antimicrobial packaging systems, biomass pretreatment for bioenergy, and food irradiation applications. She is affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service. Her work integrates nanotechnology (e.g., ZIF-8 nanoparticles) with food engineering to enhance packaging safety and develop sustainable materials. Key contributions include optimizing electron beam irradiation for pathogen decontamination and advancing predictive modeling for microbial contamination risks in fresh produce. She also explores CO₂ capture innovations for agricultural sustainability. Recent articles highlight advancements in antimicrobial delivery systems, 3D-printed biomass composites, and machine learning for food safety prediction. Her research spans food rheology, smart packaging, and waste reduction within the water-energy-food nexus. Dr. Castell-Perez collaborates on multidisciplinary projects involving food phantoms, Monte Carlo simulations for irradiation dosimetry, and agent-based modeling of microbial cross-contamination. Her labs focus on translating engineering principles into practical solutions for the food industry.

Albert E. PattersonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Mechanical Design and Design Methods
• Experimental Fracture and Impact Mechanics
• Additive Manufacturing Processes
• +3 more

Albert E. Patterson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University's College of Engineering. He is also affiliated with Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Multidisciplinary Engineering. His research focuses on mechanical design methods, additive manufacturing processes, and fracture mechanics. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2021), an M.S. in Industrial Engineering (2014), and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (2013), both from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Key research areas include design under manufacturability constraints, additive manufacturing (e.g., FDM/FFF, SLS, SLM), and systems engineering for manufacturing and aerospace applications. His work emphasizes optimizing material properties, process-driven constraints, and sustainable manufacturing practices. Dr. Patterson leads the Manufacturability-Driven Design Lab (MDDL), exploring topics like additive manufacturing for energetic materials, repair strategies for plastic components, and energy-efficient production systems. He has contributed to over 60 publications on fracture mechanics, material characterization, and manufacturing systems optimization. His research integrates experimental methods with computational modeling to address challenges in design, manufacturability, and sustainability.

• Sustainability
• Textile Chemistry
• Cosmetics
• +7 more

Professor Richard Blackburn is a Professor of Sustainable Materials at the University of Leeds, School of Design. His research focuses on applying sustainability principles to materials science, textile coloration, and cosmetics. He leads the Sustainable Materials Research Group and co-founded Keracol Limited, a spin-out company developing natural cosmetic ingredients from plant extracts. His work includes innovations in dyeing technologies, reducing microfibre pollution, and sustainable textile processing. Education: BSc (Hons) and PhD in Colour Chemistry from the University of Leeds Professional Memberships: Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Royal Society of Chemistry, and Society of Dyers and Colourists. Key research interests span sustainable textile practices, natural dye extraction, polymer chemistry, and green chemistry applications. He has pioneered methods for extracting actives from food waste for cosmetics and developed fluorine-free repellent coatings for textiles. Awards: Silver Medal (Society of Dyers and Colourists, 2016) Fellowship (Society of Dyers and Colourists, 2017) Centenary Medal (2018 & 2019) Freedom of The City of London (2013) Advising & Grants: Leads multidisciplinary projects on textile sustainability, including FoodWasteNet and the Business of Fashion, Textiles and Technology partnership. His work bridges academia and industry through spin-offs like Keracol and RITE Group, focused on minimizing environmental impact. Labs & Teams: Head of the Sustainable Materials Research Group and collaborator with global industry partners to advance sustainable materials innovation.

Ajay Achath MohananView profile

Lecturer

• Flexible Electronics
• Nanotechnology
• Sensor Technology
• +3 more

Dr. Ajay Achath Mohanan is a Lecturer at the Malaysia School of Engineering, Monash University. He holds a PhD in Engineering from Monash University Malaysia (2016) and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering from the same institution (2009). His research focuses on flexible surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors integrated with ZnO nanostructures, transitioning from rigid to flexible substrates. Key areas include piezoelectric ZnO thin films on polymers, low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis of nanowires, and UV-LED photolithography for sensor fabrication. He teaches ECE2071 - Computer Organisation and Programming and ECE3091 - Engineering Design . Mohanan leads or collaborates on projects such as flexible Lamb wave resonators for wastewater monitoring and graphene-integrated acoustic sensors. He has contributed to over 15 peer-reviewed publications since 2009, addressing topics like SAW resonator design, nanowire growth, and semiconductor defect analysis. His research aligns with UN SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Mohanan’s work emphasizes sustainable sensor technologies for environmental and industrial applications. He operates in the Micro and Nano Devices Lab, advancing flexible electronics and wearable sensor platforms.

Robert Steinberger-WilckensView profile

Professor

• Renewable Energies
• Energy Efficiency
• Fuel Cells
• +8 more

Robert Steinberger-Wilckens is a Professor in Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Research at the University of Birmingham's School of Chemical Engineering, part of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He serves as Director of the Centre of Doctoral Training (CDT) in Fuel Cells and their Fuels, a collaboration between Birmingham, Nottingham, Loughborough, Imperial College, and University College London. Education & Qualifications: Dipl.Phys. (MSc), PhD. Research Focus: Specializes in renewable energy systems, fuel cell technologies, hydrogen production/distribution, and electric vehicles. Current priorities include Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), high-temperature electrolysis, methane synthesis via reversible fuel cells, and commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. Teaching: Leads modules on Fuel Cell Technology, Advanced Energy Technologies, and Energy Storage for 4th-year, MSc, and CDT students. Contributes to Sustainable Process Engineering and Energy Efficiency courses for undergraduate programs. Leadership & Service: Chair of the Scientific Committee for the EU Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH 2 JU). Former Conference Chair of the 2008 European SOFC Forum and ongoing member of the European Fuel Cell Forum's Board of Advisers. Research Infrastructure: Oversees the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research Group and coordinates multi-institutional doctoral training programs to advance energy technology innovation.

Simon SpencerView profile

Professor

• Bayesian Inference
• Epidemiology
• Statistical Modeling
• +3 more

Simon Spencer is a Professor of Statistics at the University of Warwick, affiliated with the Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research (SBIDER) and the Warwick Analytical Sciences Centre (WASC). His research focuses on Bayesian inference applied to epidemiology, stochastic epidemic models, and statistical methods for analytical science. He has held previous positions at the University of Nottingham and Massey University in New Zealand. His teaching includes advanced courses such as CH923: Statistics for Data Analysis , ST925: Graduate Topics in Statistics , and MA4M1/MA6M1: Epidemiology by Example . His research group currently includes PhD students Matthew Adeoye and Richard Haughey, and MSc students Olli Smith and Sangavi Pirabakaran. He collaborates extensively with global health institutions on projects addressing infectious disease modeling and public health policy. Spencer’s work bridges statistical methodology and real-world applications, with a focus on outbreak detection, model comparison, and the integration of geostatistical data with transmission models. His recent contributions include frameworks for lymphatic filariasis elimination projections and analyses of HIV transmission dynamics in Uganda. He actively contributes to interdisciplinary research in systems biology and analytical chemistry, leveraging advanced statistical techniques to address complex health challenges.