Find Academic Supervisors

Lixin ChengView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer
• Thermal Energy Systems
• Sustainable Energy
• +3 more

Dr. Lixin Cheng is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the Department of Engineering and Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University, where he contributes to teaching core modules such as Transport Phenomena and oversees the chemical engineering program. His research focuses on multiphase flow and heat transfer, including enhanced heat transfer technologies, nanofluids, and carbon capture systems. He has held academic roles globally, including at Aarhus University, EPFL, and Xi'an Jiaotong University, and has extensive industry experience as a design engineer. Dr. Cheng is an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and serves as editor-in-chief for multiple journals, including the International Journal of Microscale and Nanoscale Thermal & Fluid Transport Phenomena . Education: PhD in Thermal Energy Engineering (Xi'an Jiaotong University, 1998), followed by postdoctoral and research roles at leading institutions. His interdisciplinary research spans oil-gas-water systems, sustainable energy, and thermal energy management. He has authored over 80 papers and 8 books, with a focus on advancing thermal-fluid science and engineering applications. Research interests include gas-liquid two-phase flow dynamics, flow boiling/condensation, microchannel heat transfer, and CO₂-based thermal systems. His work bridges experimental studies, computational modeling, and industrial collaborations, addressing challenges in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Key contributions include editorial leadership in thermal-fluid journals, organizing international conferences (e.g., ISTFD), and developing predictive models for flow boiling in microchannels. His recent publications (2021–2025) emphasize green hydrogen systems, supercritical CO₂ applications, and heat transfer enhancement in microscale systems. Awards: Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2000–present). Grants and collaborations include partnerships with international universities and industry players, focusing on thermal-fluid innovation. Labs/Teams: Active in Sheffield Hallam's Engineering and Mathematics Department, leading interdisciplinary research in multiphase systems and sustainable energy solutions.

Abbas MilaniView profile

Professor

• Textile Composites
• Biocomposites
• Materials Constitutive Relations
• +10 more

Abbas Milani is a tenured Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus, where he holds the Tier 1 Principal's Research Chair in Sustainable & Smart Manufacturing and serves as Director of the Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI). He also serves as Technical Director of the Composites Research Network (CRN), Lead of the Canadian-International Biocomposites Research Network, and leads multiple major initiatives including the UBC-Pacific Economic Development Canada-Advancing Circular Economy (ACE) program and the UBC-NRC IRAP National Circular Economy CtO Program. Dr. Milani's primary research focuses on advanced modeling, simulation, and multi-criteria design optimization of composite and biocomposite materials, structures, and manufacturing processes. His expertise spans Textile Composites/Biocomposites, Materials Constitutive Relations, Finite Element Modeling, Robust Inverse Methods, Material Selection for End-of-Life Design Strategies, Multiple Criteria Decision Making, and Industry 5.0 applications. His interdisciplinary research bridges mechanical engineering, sustainable materials science, and smart manufacturing technologies. Analysis of his recent publication record reveals a strong emphasis on sustainable materials development, with particular focus on biocomposites, life cycle assessment methodologies, and optimization of manufacturing processes. His work integrates computational modeling with experimental validation across diverse application areas including medical devices, sustainable packaging, and circular economy strategies. The publications demonstrate increasing integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches with traditional engineering methods. 2015 UBC Okanagan Researcher of the Year Award Killam Faculty Research Award (2016) Inducted into Royal Society of Canada - College of New Scholars (2020) Gold Medal Service Contribution Award by Academics World Reviewer Contribution Award by ASM International Multiple teaching excellence awards from UBC Dr. Milani has successfully mentored over 100 students and postdoctoral fellows who have secured positions in both industry and academia. His research program has been supported by more than $15 million in funding from government and industrial organizations. He leads the NSERC CREATE in Immersive Technologies (CITech) program and co-leads the Advanced Materials and Fabrication Core Competency within the Survive and Thrive Applied Research (STAR) program, demonstrating his commitment to training the next generation of engineers and advancing applied research.

Geng GuoqingView profile

Assistant Professor

• Sustainable Construction Materials
• Material Durability
• Cement Chemistry
• +3 more

Dr. Geng Guoqing is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He holds concurrent roles as East Asian Regional Convener for RILEM and board member of ACI-Singapore Chapter. His research focuses on sustainable construction materials, particularly durability, microstructural characterization, and waste material utilization. Geng earned his PhD from UC Berkeley (2017), followed by postdoctoral research at the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland). He has authored over 50 papers and leads multiple projects funded by Singapore’s Ministry of Education, Energy Center, and National Research Foundation. Education: Bachelor of Engineering, Southeast University, China (2010) Master of Science, UC Berkeley, USA (2013) PhD, UC Berkeley, USA (2017) Research interests center on sustainable construction materials, multi-scale characterization, and material durability . Key themes include recycling low-grade materials, mitigating degradation in concrete, and developing high-performance binders like LC3. His work employs advanced techniques like molecular modeling, X-ray diffraction, and NMR. Recent articles explore hydration kinetics, CSH matrix mechanics, and waste clay applications. Awards include the 2023 RILEM Medal and multiple teaching excellence recognitions. Current projects address CO 2 absorption, sustainable cement blends, and resilient façade materials. Professional service includes editorial roles at Cleaner Materials and Frontiers in Materials , plus organizing the 2022 EASEC Conference. His lab focuses on bridging microstructural insights with macro-scale material performance.

• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Industrial Ecology
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Stefanie Hellweg serves as a Full Professor for Ecological Systems Design at the ETH Zürich , Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. She is Deputy Head of the Institute of Environmental Engineering and leads groundbreaking research at the intersection of industrial ecology, life cycle assessment, and circular economy systems. PhD in Environmental Engineering (ETH Zürich, 2000) Industrial Engineering Degree (Karlsruhe University, 1996) Her research develops advanced methodologies for environmental impact assessment of products and technologies, focusing on: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with correlated uncertainty modeling Circular economy implementation in chemical and energy sectors Industrial symbiosis optimization for heat and nutrient flows Urban wastewater systems redesign for resource recovery Chemical pollution analysis in plastic materials Key publication trends reveal expertise in: Hybrid wastewater treatment systems Energy-efficient greenhouse cultivation Exergy analysis for sustainability metrics Machine learning applications in environmental modeling Policy-relevant industrial ecology studies She actively participates in global sustainability initiatives as: President of the International Society of Industrial Ecology (ISIE) Member of UN Environment's International Resource Panel Editorial board member for leading environmental journals

Johannes LercherView profile

Professor

• Catalysis
• Sustainable Energy
• Chemical Engineering
• +3 more

Prof. Johannes A. Lercher is a retired professor (as of April 2023) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), holding the Chair of Chemical Technology II within the Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis, particularly understanding catalytic processes at solid-liquid and solid-gas interfaces, with applications in sustainable energy production, CO₂ conversion, and catalytic upcycling of polymers. He has held academic positions at the University of Twente (Netherlands) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (USA), and has been Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Catalysis . His honors include the Alwin Mittasch Prize (2021), ENI Award (2016), and Kozo Tanabe Prize (2013). His recent work emphasizes low-temperature polymer upcycling, methane activation, and bioinspired catalyst design, leveraging advanced spectroscopic and operando techniques. Despite retirement, his contributions to catalysis research remain impactful. Education: PhD (1980) and Habilitation (1985), Vienna University of Technology Visiting Lecturer, Yale University (1982) Research Interests: Heterogeneous catalysis, catalytic interfaces, sustainable energy carriers, CO₂ valorization, and polymer waste upcycling. Key areas include: Design of catalysts for selective hydrocarbon synthesis Mechanistic studies using advanced spectroscopy Development of scalable catalytic processes for industrial applications Recent Trends in Publications: Focus on low-temperature polymer recycling (e.g., PVC and polyolefin upcycling), methane activation via novel catalysts (e.g., Co 2+ in ZSM-5), and bioinspired catalytic strategies. His work bridges fundamental catalysis with industrial relevance, emphasizing sustainability and energy efficiency. Awards and Recognition: Member, Academia Europaea and US National Academy of Engineering Recipient of multiple international catalysis awards (see full list above) Grants and Labs: Led the Institute for Integrated Catalysis (Pacific Northwest National Lab, 2011–present). His research groups have pioneered studies on zeolite-confined reactions and interfacial catalysis, with collaborations spanning academia and industry. Labs/Teams: Active in the TUM Department of Chemistry and international networks focused on catalytic innovation for a carbon-neutral economy.

• Combustion Engineering
• Swirl Flows
• High-temperature Air Combustion (HiTAC)
• +11 more

Ashwani K. Gupta is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, holding the Minta Martin Professorship in Engineering. He serves as Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor at the Institute of Physical Science and Technology, and Affiliate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. With over 45 years of experience in combustion engineering since graduating from Southampton University in 1970, Gupta has established himself as a leading authority in advanced combustion technologies. Dr. Gupta earned his Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield in 1973, followed by a D.Sc. from the same institution in 1986 and another D.Sc. from Southampton University in 2013. His academic journey includes six years at MIT as a research staff member and three years at Sheffield University as an independent research worker before joining the University of Maryland in 1983. Gupta's research focuses on revolutionizing combustion technology through innovations in swirl flows, high-temperature air combustion (HiTAC), and distributed combustion systems. His pioneering work on 'colorless distributed combustion' has enabled ultra-low emission combustion processes with significant applications in gas turbine engines and waste-to-energy conversion. His research spans biofuels, CO2 utilization, sulfur chemistry, waste conversion, and advanced laser diagnostics, addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy and environmental protection. Analyzing his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on waste-to-energy conversion, biomass processing, and CO2-assisted technologies. Gupta's work demonstrates a clear trajectory toward sustainable energy solutions, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence for combustion optimization and emission control. His research bridges fundamental combustion science with practical engineering applications for cleaner energy systems. Among Gupta's numerous accolades are: Election to Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2023) Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society (2020) Recognition as one of the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University (2022-2024) Multiple prestigious medals from ASME and AIAA including the Soichiro Honda Medal (2018) and AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award (2014) Honorary doctorates from three international universities Gupta has secured substantial research funding throughout his career, resulting in over 850 technical papers, three books, 18 edited books, and 22 book chapters. He has delivered over 100 plenary/keynote/invited presentations at international conferences. His mentorship has shaped numerous graduate students who continue to contribute to the field of combustion engineering. Gupta directs the Combustion Laboratory at the University of Maryland, which serves as a hub for cutting-edge research in sustainable combustion technologies. The Combustion Laboratory, under Gupta's leadership, has become a center of excellence for advanced combustion research, particularly in distributed combustion systems, waste-to-energy conversion, and alternative fuels. The lab maintains strong collaborations with industry partners and international research institutions, facilitating technology transfer and practical implementation of research findings. Gupta's team employs state-of-the-art diagnostics and computational tools to advance fundamental understanding while developing practical engineering solutions for cleaner energy systems.

Raffaele MezzengaView profile

Professor

• Self-Assembly Processes
• Biopolymers
• Protein-Based Materials
• +6 more

Prof. Raffaele Mezzenga is a Full Professor at ETH Zürich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology and Head of the Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health. He earned his master's from Perugia University (Italy) and a PhD in Polymer Physics from EPFL, followed by postdoctoral work at UC Santa Barbara. His career includes roles at the Nestlé Research Center and the University of Fribourg before joining ETH in 2009. His research focuses on self-assembly processes in polymers, biopolymers, and colloidal systems, with applications in environmental remediation, bioplastics, and biomedical materials. Key contributions include pioneering protein-based materials and advancing understanding of amyloid fibrils. Education: Master's, Materials Science & Engineering, Perugia University PhD, Polymer Physics, EPFL Research Interests: Self-assembly, biopolymers, amyloid materials, sustainable technologies, food colloids, and soft condensed matter. Awards: 2011 AOCS Award, 2017 APS Fellowship, and 2013 Biomacromolecules Young Investigator Award. Visiting Roles: Held visiting professorships at Aalto University, RMIT, Monash University, Nanyang Technological University, and others. Labs/Teams: Leads the Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health at ETH, focusing on interdisciplinary research in food science and biomaterials. His work bridges fundamental science and applied innovation, addressing global challenges in sustainability and health through materials science. Recent projects include creating bioplastics from food waste, developing amyloid-based water purification systems, and advancing targeted drug delivery via lipidic mesophases.

Tim IbellView profile

Professor

• Structural Engineering
• FRP Reinforcement of Concrete
• Sustainable Construction Materials
• +3 more

Tim Ibell is a Professor in the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering at the University of Bath, affiliated with the Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER). He has held leadership roles including Head of Department, Associate Dean (Graduate Studies), and Associate Dean (Research). His career includes a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award (2002) and a stint as Sir Kirby Laing Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Cambridge. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and has received six best journal-paper awards. Education: Postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge following industry experience. Joined Bath in 1997. Research focuses on sustainable construction materials, FRP reinforcement, and embodied carbon reduction in concrete structures. His work aligns with UN SDGs on climate action and sustainable cities. Key innovations include fabric-formed concrete structures and low-carbon pile foundations. Recent projects include EPSRC-funded studies on pile optimization, creative design teaching, and resource efficiency in industrial strategy. Collaborations span UK and international institutions. Awards include the Institution of Structural Engineers' recognition and Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship. Advising and grants: Supervises PhD students in sustainable construction. Leads multi-million-pound research projects addressing embodied carbon and material efficiency. Labs/Teams: Directs CAER and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects like ACORN (Automating Concrete Construction) and MEICON (Minimising Energy in Construction).

• Circular Economy
• Sustainability
• Business Models
• +3 more

Leena Aarikka-Stenroos is a Professor at Tampere University, leading the Research Centre for Managing Circular Economy (ManCE). She holds a Doctor of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration from Turku School of Economics (2011). Her research focuses on circular economy innovation, business models, sustainability transitions, and value creation mechanisms. She has pioneered studies on catalysts for circular economy ecosystems, B2B customer referencing, and the role of digital technologies in enabling circular value chains. Academic Qualification: PhD in Economics and Business Administration (Turku School of Economics, 2011) Roles: Head of Research Centre for Managing Circular Economy, Tampere University Research Interests: Circular Economy, Sustainability, Business Models, Innovation Management, Value Creation Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly addressing climate action and responsible consumption. Key contributions include frameworks for circular business model innovation and stakeholder engagement strategies in sustainability transitions. She has received prestigious awards such as the Alex Gofman Award (2016) and multiple best paper recognitions. Her research spans industries like construction, textiles, and healthcare, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration. Recent articles explore emotional dynamics in innovation, ethical value co-creation, and AI-driven value creation in B2B contexts. She actively collaborates internationally, contributing to conferences and editorial boards. Her work bridges theoretical insights with practical business strategies for environmental sustainability.

• alternative proteins
• food biotechnology
• plant-based hybrid foods
• +5 more

Mehdi Abdollahi is an Associate Professor at Chalmers University of Technology's Department of Food and Nutrition Science. His research focuses on alternative proteins, food biotechnology, and plant-based hybrid foods, with emphasis on sustainable utilization of food side streams, legumes, cereals, and microalgae as future protein sources. Develops pH-shift technology and ultrasound-assisted methods for protein extraction Specializes in hybrid food engineering via fermentation and biorefinery Works on 3D food printing and high-moisture extrusion for food analogs Researches collagen and biobased food packaging materials His work includes >100 peer-reviewed publications, 4 book chapters, and 3 patents. Current projects involve collaborations with Arla Foods, Lantmännen, and Nordic Seafarm, addressing sustainable seafood systems and plant-protein hybridization. 2024 Bertebos Prize recipient 2025: Recognized among Sweden's Top 101 Sustainability Figures Mentors 7 PhD students and 3 postdocs while collaborating with European institutions like Kristianstad University and Ankara University. His group explores biorefinery strategies, hybrid food functionality, and innovative packaging solutions.

• Sustainability Assessment
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Circular Economy
• +5 more

Dr. Li Shen is an Associate Professor at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development , Utrecht University since 2015. She holds the Energy & Resources group and has been active in sustainability assessment of materials and energy systems since completing her PhD in 2011. Education: BEng (Mechanical Engineering, cum laude 1999, Shanghai) MSc (Sustainable Development, track Energy and Resources 2006, Utrecht University) PhD (2011, Utrecht University, thesis: Bio-based and Recycled Polymers for Cleaner Production – an Assessment of Plastics and Fibres ) Research Interests: Dr. Shen specializes in Life Cycle Assessment and Technological Sustainability Evaluation of Bio-based Plastics , Plastics Recycling , Waste Management , and Nanomaterials . Her work bridges Environmental Science , Chemical Engineering , and Sustainable Development through rigorous system analysis. Scientific Publications: Leading expert in Circular Economy applications for plastics Developed Ex-ante LCA frameworks for emerging materials Key contributor to PEF Bio-based Bottle sustainability analysis Active in Telescope Energy Systems sustainability Published in Nature Communications , Science of the Total Environment , and Journal of Cleaner Production Teaching: Responsible instructor for Advanced Energy Analysis in the Master Energy Science program. Also teaches Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainable Resources Use in the Global Sustainability Science bachelor program. Supervises numerous master thesis projects from Energy Science (ES), Sustainable Development (SD-EM), and Science for Energy Innovation (SBI) programs.

Nasser KhaliliView profile

Professor

• Civil Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Unsaturated Soils
• +4 more

Scientia Professor Nasser Khalili is the Head of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He also serves as the Director of the ARC Research Hub for Resilient and Intelligent Infrastructure Systems (RIIS), President of the Australian Association for Computational Mechanics (AACM), and a core member of the International Technical Committee on Unsaturated Soil (TC106). His research focuses on geotechnical engineering, computational mechanics, porous media behavior, and sustainable infrastructure systems. Key areas of expertise include unsaturated soils, hydraulic fracturing modeling, and advanced material characterization for asphalt mixtures. Professor Khalili's work integrates computational methods with experimental analysis to address challenges in infrastructure resilience and environmental sustainability. He has pioneered studies on pore pressure dynamics, fracture mechanics in porous media, and the application of waste materials in construction. His leadership roles in national and international committees reflect his influence in advancing geotechnical and computational engineering practices. His scientific contributions include over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing machine learning applications in civil engineering and innovative solutions for sustainable asphalt mixes. Awards include Fellowship of the Academy, recognizing his significant impact on the field.

• Advanced Materials
• Composite Materials
• Smart Materials
• +8 more

Prof. Raul Fangueiro is a Full Professor and Vice-Dean at the School of Engineering, University of Minho, Portugal. As a Senior Researcher, he leads FIBRENAMICS – Institute of Innovation on Fiber-Based Materials and Composites. His work spans advanced materials (nano, smart, composites) and structures (3D, auxetic, multiscale) with applications in defense, healthcare, construction, and automotive sectors. Supervised over 20 PhD and Post-Doc researchers Scientific coordinator of 20+ national/international research projects Author of 200+ journal papers (H-index: 47), 500+ conference publications, 36 books, 40 patents Research focuses on nanotechnology , electrospinning , and sustainable material systems : Auxetic composites for personal protection Biodegradable nanofibers for medical use Smart textiles for biological/chemical resistance Recycled mineral/wood-based composites Graphene-reinforced green materials Multiscale fiber architectures Scientific recognition includes: Top 2% most influential scientist (Elsevier/Stanford 2020) Founder of AUXDEFENSE and ICNF conferences Editorial board member of leading composite journals Advisor to European Defense Agency/NATO working groups Active in industry-academia partnerships through spin-offs (Sciencentris, B4Logic, Beyond Composites, Givaware, Pixartidea) and collaborative projects with institutions like Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Aveiro, and international universities.

Mohammad PeydayeshView profile

Lecturer

• Soft Matter
• Self-Assembly
• Amyloid Fibrils
• +8 more

Mohammad Peydayesh is a Lecturer and Senior Researcher at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology , ETH Zürich. He works in the Food and Soft Material Laboratory , focusing on sustainable materials derived from food waste and agri-food byproducts. PhD in Chemical Engineering (2018, Iran University of Science and Technology) Postdoctoral Fellow at ETH Zürich under Prof. Dr. Mezzenga Senior Assistant at ETH Zürich since 2021 His research spans soft matter , self-assembly phenomena , and amyloid fibril applications in: Environmental engineering (water purification, heavy metal removal) CO2 conversion and storage Smart packaging and bioplastics development Biorefinery concepts and circular economy Nanomaterials for waste valorization Recent publications highlight trends in amyloid-based hybrid materials for: Metal recovery from e-waste and contaminated water CO2 capture and conversion Bioplastic production from agricultural waste Antiviral and detoxification applications Water desalination and purification Photonic and catalytic materials He contributes to the Laboratory of Food & Soft Materials , advancing sustainable solutions through interdisciplinary material science.

• Catalysis
• Sustainable Energy
• Renewable Fuels
• +7 more

Mark Martinez-Klimov is a researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Åbo Akademi University, Faculty of Science and Engineering. His work focuses on catalysis for sustainable energy and renewable fuel production, with an emphasis on heterogeneous catalysis, biomass conversion, and CO2 utilization. He is actively involved in experimental and kinetic studies of catalytic processes. Research Interests: His primary research areas include hydrodeoxygenation, dry methane reforming, combustion synthesis, and catalytic upgrading of bio-oil and biomass derivatives. He investigates catalyst design, deactivation mechanisms, and process optimization using advanced characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. His work supports the development of cleaner energy technologies and circular chemical processes. The analysis of his recent publications (2021–2025) reveals a consistent focus on sustainable catalytic processes, particularly in renewable jet fuel production, hydrogenation of sugars, and CO2 valorization. His research spans both fundamental catalyst development and applied reaction engineering, often in continuous flow systems such as trickle bed reactors. The work integrates material science with chemical engineering principles to address challenges in energy transition. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: While specific students or grants are not listed, his collaborative publication pattern with senior researchers like Dmitry Murzin and Pavel Mäki-Arvela suggests involvement in major research projects, likely funded by national or EU-level grants. He appears to contribute to team-based research in catalysis and sustainable technologies, potentially mentoring junior researchers and PhD students within the group. Labs and Teams: Mark is part of a prominent catalysis research group at Åbo Akademi University, specializing in sustainable chemical processes. The team leverages advanced synthesis methods (e.g., solution combustion, impregnation) and characterization tools to develop novel catalysts for energy and environmental applications. Their work is highly collaborative, involving both national and international partners in the field of green chemistry and renewable fuels.