Find Academic Supervisors

• Hydrogeology
• Groundwater flow and transport modelling
• Contaminant hydrogeology
• +5 more

Thomas Rüde is Universitätsprofessor for Hydrogeology at RWTH Aachen University , Germany, where he leads the Hydrogeology group within the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering. Holding the chair since 2005, he also serves as Managing Director of the Vereinigung Aachener Geowissenschaftler e.V. and has previously been Vice-President (2008-2014) and Executive Council member (2000-2008) of the International Mine Water Association (IMWA). Education 2004 – Privatdozent (Dr. rer. nat. habil.), University of Munich 1995 – Dr. rer. nat., University of Karlsruhe 1991 – Diplom-Geologe, University of Karlsruhe Research focus Professor Rüde’s work centres on understanding and modelling flow and reactive transport in complex aquifer systems . Key themes include: Contaminant hydrogeology – behaviour of geogenic arsenic and uranium in groundwater Groundwater protection and remediation – risk assessment and mitigation strategies Mine-water management – acid mine drainage, dewatering-well clogging, post-mining landscapes Tracer and hydraulic testing – field experiments to quantify subsurface heterogeneity Numerical modelling – high-performance simulation of multi-aquifer systems and karst His research spans Europe (Germany, Austria, Netherlands), Latin America (Mexico, Indonesia) and South-East Asia, frequently in close collaboration with local universities and industry partners. Publication trends Since 2010, Rüde has published extensively on geogenic contamination (As, U, F) in sedimentary and volcanic aquifers, mine-water impacts , and karst hydraulics . Recent work (2022-24) highlights advanced environmental tracers (gadolinium), transboundary groundwater issues, and the sustainable management of post-mining landscapes under climate change. Numerical models range from site-scale dewatering optimisation to catchment-scale coupled flow-transport simulations. Scientific awards & recognition Best Teaching Award 2010 – RWTH Aachen University Best Teaching Award 2012 – RWTH Aachen University Best Teaching Award 2014 – RWTH Aachen University Supervision & academic service Since 1998 he has taught hydrogeology through lectures, seminars, laboratory and field courses, and computer-based modelling labs. To date he has supervised: 13 PhD candidates 34 Diploma students 57 MSc students 63 BSc students He is Chairman of the Study Commission for the BSc programme in Georesources Management at RWTH Aachen, ensuring curriculum development and quality assurance. Laboratory & field infrastructure His group operates modern hydrochemical laboratories for trace-element analyses and maintains field stations for tracer experiments in Germany, Mexico and Indonesia. High-performance computing resources (in collaboration with the Jülich Supercomputing Centre) enable large-scale groundwater modelling and Monte-Carlo uncertainty assessments.

Michael PollittView profile

Professor

• Industrial economics
• Privatisation and regulation of utilities
• Productive efficiency measurement
• +3 more

Professor Michael Pollitt is a faculty member at the University of Cambridge , holding the title of Professor of Business Economics . He serves as Director of the MPhil in Technology Policy Programme and is affiliated with the Centre for Business Research (CBR) . Additionally, he holds advisory roles on Ofwat's Water 2020 board and the National Infrastructure Commission's Regulatory Challenge Panel , and is a Joint Academic Director at CERRE Centre on Regulation in Europe . His research focuses on industrial economics , privatisation and regulation of utilities (particularly electricity), productive efficiency measurement , and the intersection of Christian ethics with business practices . He has advised numerous governmental and international bodies, including the UK Competition Commission , World Bank , and European Commission , and has consulted for major energy firms like National Grid and Eneco . His publications address critical energy and regulatory issues, with recent work exploring electricity market design , carbon pricing , net zero transitions , and infrastructure productivity . He contributes to academic governance as a member of editorial boards for journals such as The Energy Journal and Utilities Policy , and leads the Association of Christian Economists, UK .

Tony JanView profile

Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Machine Learning
• +7 more

Professor Tony Jan leads the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Optimisation (AIRO) at Torrens University Australia's Design and Creative Technology school. He holds a PhD in Computing Science from the University of Technology Sydney (2004) and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Western Australia (1999). His research focuses on federated machine learning for IoT security, ensembled machine learning for real-time applications, cognitive machines for human-centric computing, and smart sensor networks for healthcare and security. He has secured ARC grants and industry partnerships with NVIDIA, IBM, and Microsoft. Awards include the 2024 SEI Global Academic Excellence Award and the 2023 Torrens University Excellence Award. Research collaborations span global partners, with contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals in education and industry. His work bridges academia and industry, expanding AI program enrollments by 2,000+ students and enhancing student satisfaction by 15%. He advises PhD students on topics like IIoT cybersecurity and smart cities, and has produced over 97 publications since 1999. Education: PhD (UTS, 2004), BEng (UWA, 1999) Research Themes: AI for Industry 5.0, Cybersecurity, Smart Cities, Healthcare Technology Key Partnerships: NVIDIA, CIMIC, Palo Alto Networks Recent Projects: Federated learning for health IoT, drone vision intelligence, ransomware detection His work emphasizes ethical AI adoption in design and healthcare, with publications exploring AI ethics, generative AI applications, and sustainable technology integration.

Nagham SaeedView profile

Associate Professor

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
• Artificial Intelligence in Engineering
• +9 more

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.

Evangelos BoulougourisView profile

Professor

• Naval Architecture
• Marine Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• +19 more

Professor Evangelos Boulougouris is Head of the Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, where he also serves as Chair of the Maritime Safety Research Centre. He is a chartered professional engineer with over 28 years of internationally recognized research in maritime safety, design for safety, and holistic ship design. His work spans damage stability, autonomous vessels, alternative fuels, and ship survivability, with strong impact on international regulations through roles in IMO, ITTC, SNAME, and RINA. Research Interests: His primary research focuses on safety of marine operations, including damage and intact stability in waves, collision avoidance, ship evacuation, crashworthiness, and the integration of alternative fuels like ammonia and hydrogen. He leads cutting-edge work in multi-objective ship design optimization, risk modeling, and decarbonization strategies for advanced marine vehicles. The recent 15 publications highlight a strong trend toward digitalization and sustainability in shipping, combining machine learning for propeller optimization, CFD simulations for catamaran performance, real-time decision support in emergencies, and hybrid propulsion systems for zero-emission vessels. His work increasingly emphasizes climate resilience, port risk under extreme weather, and energy management in CTVs, aligning with global SDGs. Scientific Awards: 2020 Denny Medal SNAME ABS Captain Joseph H. Linnard Prize (2023) Safety 2020 Best Paper Award (2022) Honorable Mention for Vice Admiral E. L. Cochrane Award (2022) EU CHAMPIONS of Transport Research (HOLISHIP, TRA 2014) Greek Technical Innovation Award, Lloyd’s List (2009) 1st Prize, International SAFER SHIP Competition (1999) Advising and Grants: He actively supervises PhD students and has led numerous EU and UK-funded projects such as SEASTARS, SAFARI, EcoShipYard, and Digital Shipwright. As Principal Investigator and Co-I, he secures substantial research funding, coordinates knowledge exchange (KE) initiatives, and leads training programs across Europe. Labs and Teams: He leads the Maritime Safety Research Centre at Strathclyde, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration on ship safety, stability, and sustainable design. His team works closely with industry partners RCG and DNV, and engages in international networks through STAB, ITTC, and IMO committees.

Lisa BaiView profile

Research Fellow

• Resource recovery from waste and wastewater
• Bioenergy production
• Biodegradable plastics (PHA)
• +7 more

Dr. Lisa Bai is a Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB) within the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland. She also maintains affiliations with the ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocomposites. Her research focuses on sustainable waste and wastewater management with expertise in resource recovery technologies and bioenergy production from organic waste streams. Dr. Bai earned her PhD from the University of Queensland and has a background in Bioengineering and Environmental Engineering. Prior to her academic career, she spent four years working at an environmental consultancy in North Queensland, where she specialized in aquaculture water bioremediation using macroalgae technologies and waste stream utilization for biomass production. Her research program spans four interconnected themes: 1) Data-Based Waste Identification and Characterisation for both core and non-core organic wastes; 2) Tailored Organic Waste and Wastewater Treatment Technology focusing on anaerobic digestion and nutrient recovery; 3) Biotechnology Assisted Process Optimisation for co-digestion modeling; and 4) Biotechnology Based Process Enhancement investigating microbial ecology mechanisms. Her work bridges molecular biology with engineering applications for practical waste management solutions. Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory in anaerobic digestion technologies and resource recovery, with recent work (2023-2025) focusing on enhancing digestion of challenging waste streams like paunch waste from meat processing. Her research demonstrates progression from fundamental laboratory studies to pilot-scale implementation with industry partners. Dr. Bai is actively involved in research funding, currently leading the 'Pilot-scale Validation of Anaerobic Co-digestion at Large Municipal STP' project (2024-2025) funded by Urban Utilities. Previously, she contributed to the 'Waste-to-Energy' project (2020-2024) under the Fight Food Waste CRC program. She serves as an Associate Advisor for PhD students working on biotechnologies for PHA production. Her research team collaborates closely with industry partners including Central SEQ Distributor-Retailer Authority and Red-Meat-Processing facilities to translate laboratory findings into commercial applications for sustainable waste management, demonstrating strong industry engagement and practical implementation focus.

Siul RuizView profile

Lecturer

• Soil Biomechanics
• Environmental Engineering
• Biomechanics
• +4 more

Dr. Siul Ruiz is a Lecturer at the University of Southampton, affiliated with the Bioengineering Group. His research focuses on physical processes in soils and biological systems, including solid/fluid mechanics, mass/energy transport, and imaging techniques like X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and neutron radiography. He develops mathematical models to study soil biomechanics, biofilm dynamics in plants, and the impact of fertilisers on crop nutrition. Current projects include quantifying soil biomechanics via X-ray diffraction and modeling olive tree resistance to Xylella fastidiosa. Funded by the Royal Society and BBSRC, his work bridges applied mathematics, mechanical engineering, and environmental science. Education: MSc in applied mathematics and mechanical engineering (focus on soft robotics). Research Interests: Soil-plant interactions, biofilm modeling, and biophysical constraints in ecological systems. His recent publications explore topics like phosphate removal mechanisms in soil, Xylella fastidiosa biofilm spread in olive trees, and high-throughput analysis of plant stem structures. He supervises two PhD students in Engineering and the Environment. Dr. Ruiz aims to extend biomechanical quantification techniques for broader applications, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches.

Francesca PianosiView profile

Associate Professor

• Water Resource Management
• Hydrology
• Environmental Modelling
• +5 more

Dr Francesca Pianosi is an Associate Professor in Water & Environmental Engineering at the University of Bristol 's School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering. She contributes to the Cabot Institute for the Environment and leads research on data analysis, mathematical modelling, and uncertainty quantification for hydrology and water engineering. Specialises in simulation and optimisation methods for water resource management Focuses on uncertainty propagation in natural hazard models Developed the open-source SAFE Toolbox for sensitivity analysis Research Trends Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate expertise in: Groundwater flow and recharge in data-scarce regions Digital Twin applications for watershed management Climate change impact on landslides and droughts Multi-objective optimisation for reservoir operations Integration of machine learning with hydrological models Scientific Awards Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Young Scientists (2015) Best Research Oriented Paper - Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management (2024) Early Career Research Excellence (ECRE) award (2014) Francesca leads the Water Management and Adaptation based on Watershed Digital Twins project (2024-2027) and contributes to the USARIS project on uncertainty quantification for infrastructure systems (2023-2025).

Katherine FishView profile

Research Fellow

• Applied environmental microbiology
• Biofilm formation and mobilisation/stability
• Biofilm management
• +6 more

Dr. Katherine Fish is a Research Fellow in Water Systems Microbiology at the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Sheffield. She holds a PhD in Civil and Structural Engineering (2013) and an MSc in Biological Science (2009) from the same institution. PhD: The impact of hydraulic regime upon biofilms in drinking water distribution systems , University of Sheffield. MSc: First-Class Honours in Biological Science, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield. Her research focuses on applied environmental microbiology, particularly the microbial ecology of natural and engineered environments. Key areas include: Biofilm formation, mobilisation, and stability in drinking water systems Interdisciplinary approaches to biofilm management and water quality Microbial community responses to disinfection practices Impacts of hydraulic regimes and chemical treatments on biofilms Public health implications of biofilm dynamics She collaborates with industry partners such as AkzoNobel, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, and South Staffs Water on projects like Managing Aquatic Biofilms via Surface Manipulation (funded by NBIC, BBSRC) and Biomonitoring . Her work also contributes to EPSRC-funded initiatives including TWENTY65, Sheffield Water Centre, PODDS, Pipe Dreams, and Pennine Water Group. Her publications span topics like Pseudomonas aeruginosa interactions in biofilms, disinfection residual behaviour, microplastic contamination in aquatic systems, and climate change impacts on water infrastructure. These studies integrate biological, chemical, and physical analyses to enhance water system management. Contact: k.fish@sheffield.ac.uk | ORCID | LinkedIn

• Environmental Modelling
• Sustainable Water Management
• Spatial Analysis (GIS)
• +5 more

Tara Zirakbash serves as a Lecturer at Murdoch University's School of Engineering and Energy, leveraging extensive cross-sector experience from consulting, government, and academia in hydrological analysis, urban water management, and GIS applications for sustainable engineering solutions. Her work directly addresses critical global challenges including water scarcity, climate change impacts, and water safety through interdisciplinary approaches. Her academic credentials include: Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering from Murdoch University, Western Australia Research focuses on environmental modelling optimisation, sustainable water systems, spatial/time series analysis, and uncertainty-informed planning. She champions systems thinking integrated with practical field applications and multi-stakeholder collaboration to develop innovative solutions for complex environmental challenges, emphasizing real-world relevance in all scholarly work. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards documented in source materials Advising and grants information is not specified in available documentation, though her teaching methodology emphasizes workshop-based learning connecting theoretical concepts to practical implementation. Professional networks reflect strong industry-academia linkages developed through diverse sector engagements. Laboratory facilities and research team structures are not described in the provided institutional profile.

Mariano Jr Reyes RamirezView profile

Associate Professor

• Sustainable product development
• Product-service systems
• Design for a circular economy
• +12 more

Associate Professor Mariano Jr Reyes Ramirez serves as Senior Lecturer and Discipline Director of Industrial Design at the University of New South Wales School of Built Environment. With over 70 publications on design for sustainability and presentations at more than 30 international conferences, he has established himself as a thought leader in sustainable industrial design. Dr. Ramirez has contributed as a Visiting Academic to 24 universities across 10 countries including China, India, Korea, Mexico, and Brazil, and serves as a PhD Examiner in 5 Australian universities as well as in Sweden and Italy. His research concentrates on the environmental sustainability and social responsibility aspects of industrial design, with particular focus on promoting circular economy through waste minimisation and resource optimisation, enabling responsible consumption behaviours through product design, and leveraging industrial design innovation to tackle the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. His work spans sustainable product development, product-service systems, design for a circular economy, and disaster risk reduction. Dr. Ramirez has secured significant research funding including Transport for NSW's $120,000 grant for enhancing public space safety, NSW Circular Challenge Program's $200,000 grant for hospital polypropylene waste recycling, and multiple international collaboration grants. His 15 most recent publications reveal a consistent focus on human-centered sustainable design approaches applied across diverse contexts from prison rehabilitation programs to water solutions in Jakarta slums and cultural heritage integration in electric vehicle design. Emerald Literati Network Award for Excellence 2007 for paper 'Sustainability in the education of industrial designers: the case for Australia' UNSW Built Environment Learning & Teaching Excellence Award, 2017 UNSW Built Environment Dean's Research Excellence Award, 2012 Multiple UNSW Built Environment Associate Dean Teaching Commendations (2007-2011) Dr. Ramirez actively supervises BID honours, MPhil and PhD students at UNSW while examining dissertations from multiple Australian and international universities. He serves on editorial boards for Sustainability (MDPI) and scientific review committees for several leading design and sustainability journals. His research supervision focuses on dematerialization of contemporary lifestyles, fostering sustainable behaviors through design, optimization of product lifetimes, sustainability integration in design education, and industrial design as a tool for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. As Regional Convenor for Oceania of the Learning Network on Sustainability since 2006 and Project Leader of the South-to-South initiative activating Australian-Latin American Cooperation through Design for Sustainability Education, Dr. Ramirez demonstrates significant leadership in building international research networks focused on sustainable design education and practice.

Franjo CeceljaView profile

Professor

• Systems Engineering for Energy and Industrial Applications
• Optimisation and Decision Making
• Knowledge Modelling (Ontology Engineering)
• +3 more

Dr. Franjo Cecelja is a Reader in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Surrey. He holds a Dipl. Eng. from the University of Zagreb, an M.Sc. from Cranfield Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. from Brunel University. His research focuses on systems engineering for energy and industrial applications, optimization, decision making, and semantic technologies. He has led projects such as the FP7 (Marie Curie LTN) initiative on renewable energy systems engineering (£425k, 2013–2018). His work spans ontology engineering applications in biorefining, waste valorization, and sustainable processing. Notable contributions include semantic frameworks for model and data integration in biorefineries and decision support systems for industrial symbiosis. Education: Ph.D., Brunel University (Optical Sensors for Electric Fields) M.Sc., Cranfield Institute of Technology (Control & Signal Processing) Dipl. Eng., University of Zagreb (Aerospace Technology) His research interests integrate ontology engineering with process systems engineering to address challenges in biorefining, industrial symbiosis, and sustainable resource management. Recent publications emphasize semantic technologies for waste valorization, PFAS treatment, and decision-making frameworks in biorefining. Dr. Cecelja’s FP7 project demonstrated leadership in renewable energy systems, leveraging semantic networking facilities and value chain optimization. His work bridges academic research with industrial applications, emphasizing circular economy principles and model-driven decision support. Labs/Teams: His research is conducted within the University of Surrey’s School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering facilities, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on biorefining and process systems engineering.

Yue ZhangView profile

Associate Professor

• Anaerobic Digestion
• Bioenergy Production
• Organic Waste Management
• +12 more

Dr. Yue Zhang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Maritime and Environmental Engineering at the University of Southampton, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Her work bridges environmental sustainability, biotechnology, and engineering, with a focus on anaerobic digestion and bioresource recovery. She leads key research projects on bioenergy, CO₂ biomethanisation, and waste valorisation, and teaches core modules in civil and environmental engineering. Research Interests: Optimisation of anaerobic digestion via trace element supplementation and microbial pathway manipulation CO₂ biomethanisation and in-situ hydrogen addition Mixed-culture fermentation for selective carboxylic acid production from protein-rich wastes Nutrient recovery from wastewater and organic residues Microbial electrochemical systems for biofuel (methane, biobutanol) production Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in process optimization, microbial community dynamics, and sustainable resource recovery, particularly in the context of food waste, energy crops, and industrial effluents. A recurring theme is the integration of biological processes with engineering controls to enhance efficiency and environmental benefit. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), 2012 Dr. Zhang actively supervises multiple PhD students and has held leadership roles in teaching, including Module Lead for Bioenergy and Urban Water and Wastewater Engineering. She has received research funding from EPSRC, BBSRC, Innovate UK, the European Union, and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Her external roles include chairing committees at BBSRC and EPSRC, and membership in the EPSRC Peer Review College. She is also involved in international collaborations, such as the EU-China ECOFUEL project. Labs and Research Groups: Water and Environmental Engineering Group Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre

• Traffic Infrastructure
• Traffic Engineering
• Road Safety
• +3 more

Dr. Christopher Stokes is a Grant-Funded Researcher (B) at the University of Adelaide , affiliated with the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) under the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology . He holds a PhD in Water Resources Optimisation (2014) and a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering (2009) from the same institution, with prior industry experience in civil construction. Research Focus: Road infrastructure safety, Safe System thinking, and strategies for achieving zero road deaths/injuries (aligned with the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020). Affiliation: Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR), University of Adelaide. Contact: Floor/Room 1, Engineering Annex, North Terrace; email: christopher@casr.adelaide.edu.au . Supervision: Eligible to supervise Master’s and PhD candidates.

• Sustainable Energy
• Energy Efficiency Technologies
• Renewable Energy Systems
• +3 more

Dr. Xiaoli Ma is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Hull, affiliated with the Energy and Environment Institute and the Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies under the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on sustainable building services, renewable/sustainable energy systems, energy efficiency technologies, and instrumentation technologies. She has secured over £2.7 million in research funding from bodies such as the EU, EPSRC, Innovate UK, and the National Science and Technology Committee of China, leading or co-leading 26 projects. Her research interests include innovative cooling systems for data centers (e.g., super-performance dew point cooling achieving 90% energy savings), solar-driven energy systems, waste heat recovery, and thermoelectric technologies. Notable projects include the development of a novel Loop-Heat-Pipe-based data center cooling system funded by the EU FP7 and a solar façade hot water heating system supported by the EU FP7 Programme. Dr. Ma has published over 90 journal articles, two books, and three book chapters, with recent works focusing on machine learning-driven energy optimization, solar cooking systems with energy storage, and advanced heat pump technologies. She holds two patents and actively supervises PhD students in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and built environment applications. Her lab and team are part of the Energy and Environment Institute, collaborating on projects like the pioneering near-zero-carbon air conditioning system using atmospheric latent heat and natural light energy (EPSRC-funded). Key grants include a £814k EPSRC project and a £692k IEEA initiative for data center cooling advancements.