Professor Nikola Stosic is a leading academic in mechanical engineering at City St George's, University of London , where he holds the title of Professor of Positive Displacement Compressor Technology . He is affiliated with the Centre for Positive Displacement Compressor Technology , which he established in 1995. Education: BSc in Mechanical Engineering – University of Sarajevo MSc – University of Zagreb PhD – University of Sarajevo Research Interests: Professor Stosic's research spans computational fluid dynamics (CFD) , thermal systems , and screw compressor design . His work includes mathematical modeling of thermal and fluid flow processes, experimental validation of compressor performance, and optimization of screw expanders for geothermal and low-grade heat recovery applications. Scientific Awards: ImechE Bernard Hall Prize (1998) Geothermal Resources Council Best Paper Award (2004) PhD Supervision: Suraj Abdan – "Investigation of Electrically Driven Air Screw Compressor Plant" (2nd Supervisor) Mohammad Arjaneh – "Experimental investigation of the multiphase flow at the suction of screw compressor" (1st Supervisor) Labs and Teams: He leads the Centre for Positive Displacement Compressor Technology at City St George's, fostering interdisciplinary research in compressor design, CFD, and energy systems.
Oliver Germershaus is Professor for Pharmaceutical Technology of Macromolecular Drugs at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) , where he serves as Head of Institute for Pharma Technology and Biotechnology . He holds a School of Life Sciences affiliation and licenses as a pharmacist in Germany. Academic background includes: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Marburg, 2007) MSc in Pharmacy (University of Halle-Wittenberg, 2003) University of Marburg education (2002) Research focuses on drug delivery systems for large molecules including peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids. His work spans biopharmaceutical formulation development , excipient interaction analysis , and packaging compatibility studies . Key methodologies include white light interferometry for medical device characterization, self-assembling peptide hydrogels for localized drug delivery, and MMP-responsive systems for bioactive material design. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in: Standard particle fabrication via micro 3D printing (2024) PS20 surfactant degradation patterns in mAb formulations (2024) Alternative surfactant selection for biopharmaceuticals (2023) Silk fibroin modification for implant applications (2018) Medical device lubrication analysis (2018) Matrix metalloprotease responsive systems (2018) Professional memberships include: Swiss Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (SAPhW) Controlled Release Society (CRS) Germany Chapter Swiss Society of Industrial Pharmacists (GSIA) Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) American Chemical Society (ACS) Academic leadership roles: Co-Organizer PharmaLunch Basel Editorial Board, Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Reviewer for German Research Foundation and 10+ journals
Uffe Sognstrup Thomsen serves as a Special Consultant within the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University, Denmark, with over 25 years of research activity documented through 22 publications since 1997. His work is centered on microbial corrosion challenges in North Sea oil production infrastructure, particularly water injection systems and offshore pipelines. Thomsen's research integrates molecular microbiology with engineering solutions, specializing in Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) risk assessment through techniques like qPCR, RT-qPCR, and Next-Generation Sequencing. His expertise spans microbial community analysis, reservoir souring dynamics, phylogenetic studies of corrosion-causing microorganisms, and chemical treatment optimization for pipeline integrity. This interdisciplinary approach bridges petroleum engineering and environmental microbiology to address corrosion in harsh offshore environments. Analysis of his 2016-2022 publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward data-driven methodologies for extraneous water quantification and real-time MIC monitoring. His work demonstrates increasing sophistication in correlating microbial community structures with corrosion rates, particularly through field studies in the North Sea. Thomsen's research outputs show strong industry relevance with practical applications in oil field operations, evidenced by multiple presentations at NACE Corrosion Conferences and publications in petroleum engineering journals.
Dr. Sam Xie is a Senior Lecturer at Curtin University's Faculty of Science and Engineering , affiliated with the Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering department. His research bridges industry and academia with a focus on underground hydrogen storage (UHS) and CO2 geological storage , aiming to reduce carbon footprints and enable energy transition pathways. Education : PhD in Subsurface Energy Engineering (China University of Petroleum, 2011), Master in Subsurface Energy Engineering (Southwest Petroleum University, 2008), Bachelor in Chemical Engineering (Southwest Petroleum University, 2005) His research spans fluid-rock interactions , micro-scale fracture mechanics , and reactive transport , with applications in porous media , salt caverns , and lined rock caverns . He leads three UHS projects funded by Future Energy Export CRC (AUD1.2M) and holds an Australian International Hydrogen Fellowship for global collaboration. Recent publications analyze hydrogen wettability in carbonates, CO2-brine-kaolinite interfaces, and machine learning for enhanced gas recovery. These works emphasize geochemical modeling , nanoconfinement effects , and risk mitigation for subsurface energy systems. Awards include multiple inclusions in the Top 2% Scientists (Stanford & Elsevier) and the 2023 Australian International Hydrogen Fellowship . He mentors PhD candidates like Princy Agrahari and Shuo Zhan , focusing on UHS in depleted gas fields and caprock integrity. As Subtask Lead in IEA-Hydrogen-TCP Task 42 , he coordinates global efforts across 50+ organizations to standardize UHS protocols. He also serves as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Energy Research and organizes industry workshops on hydrogen storage.
Rui Qiao is a Professor and John R. Jones III Faculty Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He leads the Laboratory of Transport Phenomena for Advanced Technologies, focusing on fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and interfacial phenomena with applications in energy systems, advanced manufacturing, and nanotechnology. His research integrates molecular, mesoscopic, and continuum modeling to address challenges in fields like thermal management and electrochemical energy storage. Education: Ph.D. (2004) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; M.S. (1999) in Thermal Engineering from Tsinghua University; B.S. (1996) in Power Engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Research Interests include nanoscale fluid transport, colloidal physics, and computational methods such as molecular dynamics and dissipative particle dynamics. His work addresses applications in hydrocarbon extraction, thermal management, and aeroengine reliability. Awards include the 2023 ASME Fellow, John R. Jones III Faculty Fellowship (2017), and multiple teaching and research awards from Clemson University. He has secured $10.5M in grants from agencies like NSF, DOE, and industrial partners. Professional memberships include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Physical Society (APS), and American Chemical Society (ACS).
Dr. Lesley James is a Professor of Process Engineering at Memorial University, holding former roles as Chevron Chair in Petroleum Engineering. She specializes in sustainable oil production through Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) strategies, particularly focusing on offshore Newfoundland and Labrador reservoirs. Her research emphasizes CO2 utilization, WAG processes, and digital oilfield technologies to enhance recovery rates in complex reservoirs. She collaborates extensively with industry on projects like Hebron EOR screening and Hibernia CO2 injection. Education: B.Sc. (Eng.) from University of New Brunswick; M.Eng. and Ph.D. from University of Waterloo. Professional Engineer (PEGNL), past-president of Society of Core Analysts (SCA), and active member of SPE, CSChE, AIChE, and EAGE. Research Interests: Maximizing offshore oil recovery through fluid-rock interaction studies CO2-EOR for carbon sequestration benefits Integration of digital twin and IoT technologies in reservoir management Hydrate formation risk mitigation in WAG operations Awards: SPE Distinguished Achievement Award for Faculty Excellence. Mentor for student societies including SSPE, EAGE, and MetSoc. Key Contributions: Developed lithofacies identification algorithms using data clustering, pioneered smart proxy models for reservoir optimization, and advanced nanoparticle-based EOR techniques. Leads the Hibernia Enhanced Oil Recovery Laboratory at Memorial University.
Dr. Paul Grassia is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He joined TU/e in 2024 after positions at the University of Strathclyde (2015–2024) and the University of Manchester (1998–2015). His research bridges engineering, applied mathematics, and physics, focusing on foams, suspensions, and emulsions. He holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge (1994) and a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Western Australia (1989). **Education**: PhD in Mathematics, University of Cambridge, 1990–1994 BSc (Hons) in Mathematics, University of Western Australia, 1985–1989 **Research Interests**: Grassia’s work examines foams across multiple scales, including foam drainage and rheology. He studies applications in energy-efficient processes such as froth flotation, foam-based gas storage, and soil remediation. His research also extends to solid-liquid suspensions and liquid-liquid emulsions, emphasizing their roles in environmental and industrial contexts. **Recent Work Trends**: His publications focus on modeling foam dynamics in geological formations, bubble behavior in confined systems, and flow reversal phenomena. These studies emphasize practical applications in energy efficiency and sustainable resource management. **Editorial & Teaching**: Grassia serves on the editorial board of the *Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A* (2016–2025) and teaches the course *Heat and Flow* at TU/e.
Noud C.J. Maes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology. His expertise includes high-pressure sprays, internal combustion engines, fuel technology, combustion, and laser-based diagnostics. He teaches courses on Clean Engines and Future Fuels, Combustion Engine, and Sustainable Energy Sources. Dr. Maes obtained his PhD from Eindhoven University of Technology in 2019, focusing on high-pressure fuel sprays. During his doctoral research, he was a visiting researcher at IFPEn (France) and Sandia National Laboratories (USA). His current research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through projects like IDEALFUEL (renewable marine fuels) and SmartCHP (biomass-derived power systems). Research focuses on sustainable energy solutions, combustion optimization, and alternative fuels. Recent publications explore bio-oil applications, hydrogen injection, and oxygenated fuel blends. Dr. Maes has received multiple scientific awards including the John Johnson Award and Combura poster prizes for his innovative work in engine technology and sustainable fuels.
Markus Zechner is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at Stanford University. He holds an MS in Petroleum Engineering from the Mining University of Leoben and completed his PhD at Stanford, focusing on uncertainty quantification in enhanced oil recovery. His career includes over a decade of reservoir engineering experience with OMV, working on gas condensate reservoirs in Austria and advancing CO2 sequestration technologies. Zechner's research emphasizes geothermal energy systems, AI-driven reservoir management, and risk assessment in carbon storage. Education: MS (Mining University of Leoben), PhD (Stanford University) Research interests span reservoir engineering, CO2 sequestration, and the application of machine learning to energy systems. His work bridges academic research with industry challenges, particularly in optimizing carbon storage safety and geothermal field development. Recent publications highlight advancements in AI-centric geothermal planning and probabilistic models for oil recovery processes. His technical contributions include field pilots on polymer injection in Austria's Matzen field and Bayesian frameworks for uncertainty quantification. Zechner's expertise is anchored in integrating data-driven methods with subsurface engineering to address climate change mitigation and energy sustainability.
Professor Marek Behr is a Universitätsprofessor (C4/W3) at the Chair for Computational Analysis of Technical Systems (CATS) in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University, Germany. He serves as founding director of the Center for Simulation and Data Science (JARA-CSD) since 2018, President of the German Association for Computational Mechanics since 2021, and is an Adjunct Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University since 2005. Professor Behr's research focuses on computational mechanics with particular emphasis on physiological model development and numerical methods for complex fluids. His work spans Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) , High-Performance Computing (HPC) , Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) , and 4D Finite Element Methods . His research group at CATS develops advanced computational techniques for engineering and biomedical applications, with recent focus on cardiovascular modeling including hemolysis prediction, stent restenosis, and left ventricular dynamics under assist device support. The publication record of Professor Behr shows a strong trajectory in computational biomechanics, particularly in cardiovascular applications. His recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates increasing focus on multiphysics modeling of blood flow, stent-artery interactions, and computational approaches to understanding hemolysis and restenosis mechanisms. His research integrates advanced numerical methods with physiological modeling to address clinically relevant problems in cardiovascular medicine. Professor Behr has received significant recognition for his contributions to computational mechanics: Elected Fellow of the International Association for Computational Mechanics (IACM) in 2014 Recipient of the Leading Scientist Award (3.6 M€) from St. Petersburg, Russian Federation in 2010, described as "the largest individual scientific award in the world" Google Scholar h-Index of 45 and ISI h-Index of 30, based on approximately 3,600 citations Professor Behr serves as speaker of the International Research Training Group 2379 Modern Inverse Problems in collaboration with the Oden Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. He has established significant research collaborations across institutions and has supervised numerous PhD and Master's students. His work is supported by substantial research funding, including the 3.6 M€ Leading Scientist Award. The Chair for Computational Analysis of Technical Systems (CATS) under Professor Behr's leadership forms part of the Center for Simulation and Data Science (JARA-CSD), a collaboration between RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich. CATS focuses on developing and applying advanced computational methods to solve complex engineering problems, with particular expertise in fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, and their interaction in biological systems.
Dr. Sina Rezaei Gomari is an Associate Professor of Research in Energy and Environmental Engineering at Teesside University, leading the Energy Lab. He holds a PhD in Wettability Alteration from the University of Stavanger and over 12 years of industry experience with the National Iranian Oil Company and Statoil (Equinor). His research focuses on carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen technologies, fluid flow in porous media, and digitalization using AI/ML. He directs multiple international projects, including the £7.6M MEVOCRETE initiative for net-zero concrete and the StoreH2Safe project for hydrogen storage safety. Key roles include Editor-in-Chief of journals, External Examiner at Coventry and Robert Gordon Universities, and Chartered Engineer with the Energy Institute. His work bridges academia and industry through partnerships with firms like Scott Bros Ltd and Material Evolution Ltd. Education: PhD (2006, University of Stavanger), MSc (2003, NTNU Norway), BSc (1996, Petroleum University of Technology). Research Interests: Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Hydrogen Production/Storage Geological Storage Solutions Fluid Flow in Porous Media AI-Driven Energy Systems Waste Valorization via Geopolymers and Clay Minerals Funding: Principal Investigator for projects totaling over £8M from Innovate UK, Qatar NPRP, Saudi Arabia, and industry partners. Notable grants include £7.6M MEVOCRETE (concrete innovation), £263K Dauson Environmental Group (low-carbon materials), and £271K Digital Soil Carbon MRV system. Awards & Recognition: Chartered Engineer (Energy Institute), Editor-in-Chief roles, and leadership in global initiatives like the EAGE Geochemistry Committee. Lab Facilities: Advanced core analysis labs supporting industry partnerships, including hydraulic fracturing studies and multiphase flow experiments.
Dr. Saman Aryana is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Wyoming. He holds a PhD in Energy Resources Engineering from Stanford University and bachelor's/master's degrees in Civil Engineering from UT Arlington. His research focuses on multiscale flow dynamics in subsurface systems, including multiphase flow in permeable media, CO2 foam stabilization using nanoparticles, and computational modeling of transport phenomena. He directs experimental work using microfluidic platforms and develops advanced simulation methods for porous media systems. Dr. Aryana teaches courses including Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering, Macroscale Models of Flow Through Permeable Media, and Petroleum Economics. He has mentored over 15 graduate students and received numerous awards including the DOE EFRC Award and Magnificent Mile Diversity Award.
Mario Bragaglia is a Researcher at the University of Rome Tor Vergata’s Department of Enterprise Engineering ‘Mario Lucertini’, specializing in polymeric composites and additive manufacturing. His work focuses on multifunctional materials, 3D printing, sustainable composites, and coating technologies. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the same university and has conducted postdoctoral research at Luxottica SPA and the Politecnico di Milano. In 2019, he won the AIRI Oscar Masi Prize for technology transfer in multifunctional polymeric nanocomposites for additive layer manufacturing. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (2010) Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (2012) Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering (2016) Research Interests: Dr. Bragaglia’s research spans design, manufacturing, and characterization of polymeric composites, additive layer manufacturing, self-healing materials, and sustainable materials. He explores applications in construction, energy, and biomedical fields through projects like the ESA OSIP and I3 CLOSER initiatives. His work emphasizes eco-friendly materials and industrial collaboration. Recent Projects: Project I3 CLOSER: 14M€ investment for sustainable material recovery from microchip waste. ESA OSIP Project: Space-related materials innovation. Development of biodegradable resins and recycled material composites. Key Awards: AIRI Oscar Masi Prize (2019) Lab & Team: Collaborates within Prof. Francesca Nanni’s group on multifunctional materials for additive manufacturing. Engages in interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of material science, engineering, and sustainability.
Dr. Kevin Mumford is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Queen's University, affiliated with Smith Engineering. His research focuses on multiphase fluid dynamics in porous media, particularly gas migration and mass transfer processes relevant to environmental remediation. He holds cross appointments as Research Director at the GeoEngineering Centre and as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Waterloo's Civil and Environmental Engineering department. **Education**: PhD in Civil Engineering (2008), McMaster University M.A.Sc in Civil Engineering (2002), University of Waterloo B.A.Sc in Environmental Engineering (2000), University of Waterloo **Research Interests**: Dr. Mumford investigates contamination from non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), thermal remediation strategies, and fugitive gas migration in subsurface systems. His work combines lab experiments and numerical modeling to address challenges in groundwater protection and site remediation. Key areas include vapor intrusion, shale gas development impacts, and PFAS behavior in porous media. **Supervision**: Currently advising Ariel Nunez Garcia (Postdoctoral Fellow). His research group explores cutting-edge techniques like coupled continuum-discrete modeling and advanced PFAS treatment systems. **Labs & Facilities**: Active in Queen's GeoEngineering Centre and Beaty Water Research Centre. Utilizes transparent soil visualization techniques and high-resolution experimental setups for multiphase flow studies.
Leonard Sagis is an Associate Professor (dr.ir.) in the Physics and Physical Chemistry of Foods group within the VLAG Graduate School at Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands. His work focuses on the fundamental physical chemistry governing food systems, particularly plant and dairy proteins, protein-polysaccharide interactions, and the interfacial behaviour of biopolymer solutions. Research Interests: Food physics and physical chemistry Plant protein functionality and structuring Protein-polysaccharide complexation for improved foams and emulsions Surface and interfacial rheology of biopolymer layers Colloid stability and microstructure of food gels His recent publications (2025) reveal a concentrated effort on understanding how protein source, pre-treatment and ionic environment modulate interfacial and gelation behaviour, with applications spanning plant-based dairy analogues, foam stabilisation and encapsulation systems. Current PhD Supervision: H. Y. Lai – Micro-structure of plant-protein gels P. Boonkor – Tailoring pulse proteins for sustainable foods M. Xu – 3D/4D food printing of meta-foods W. Yin – Core-shell micro-encapsulation using plant proteins X. Ma – Stability of oil-water emulsions with plant protein-polysaccharide mixtures Dr Sagis is actively involved in international networks and has delivered multiple keynote and invited lectures on non-equilibrium thermodynamic modelling of surface rheology and bio-interface engineering.
