Lee Margetts

Lee Margetts is the UKAEA Chair of Digital Engineering for Fusion Energy and Director of The Fusion Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training at The University of Manchester. He holds a Professorship in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, leading education programs in mechanical engineering disciplines and directing the student-led MancheSTAR Fusion Society. With a background spanning geology, civil engineering, and business management, his expertise integrates high-performance computing, finite element methods, and fusion energy innovation.

Education:

• BSc Geology (University of Durham, 1994)
• MSc Geotechnical Engineering (University of Manchester, 1998)
• PhD Civil Engineering (University of Manchester, 2002)
• MBA International Engineering Business Management (Alliance Manchester Business School, 2011)

Research Interests: Focuses on fusion energy systems, digital engineering, and advanced manufacturing. His work bridges computational methods (e.g., ParaFEM software) with applications in aerospace materials, additive manufacturing, and biomedical engineering. Recent projects include digital twins for fusion reactors and AI-driven design workflows in NVIDIA Omniverse.

Publications & Awards: Over 120 research outputs, including contributions to neutronics simulation and fusion reactor design. Notable awards include the Teaching Excellence Award 2021 and the Best Paper Prize for Simulation Technology (2019). His team’s work on fusion neutronics and CAD model optimization has gained international recognition.

Leadership & Outreach: Chair of NAFEMS HPC Technical Working Group and advisor to the Biden administration on quantum computing. Promotes industrial adoption of HPC through collaborations with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the PRACE Industrial Advisory Committee.

Labs & Teams: Oversees the Fusion Engineering CDT, advancing training for 'fusioneers.' His research group develops open-source tools like ParaFEM and explores biomimetic materials inspired by pterosaur bone structures.