Personal statement
I am an applied academic working at the interface of engineering research, industrial innovation, and sustainability, with a strong focus on advancing circular economy solutions for advanced materials. My expertise lies in composite materials processing, recycling technologies, and the development of scalable routes for recovering and reusing high-value fibres. I work closely with industry to ensure that research outputs are technically robust, commercially relevant, and capable of delivering real environmental impact, particularly in sectors where composite waste and carbon intensity present growing challenges.
My research activity is underpinned by a systems-level approach that considers feedstock variability, process efficiency, emissions management, and downstream manufacturing routes. I have extensive experience in experimental R&D, process scale-up, and the translation of laboratory concepts into pilot- and industrially relevant demonstrations. This includes the integration of recovered materials into manufacturing processes such as non-woven production, compounding, and moulding, with an emphasis on performance, consistency, and application-driven outcomes.
Alongside research, I contribute actively to academic leadership and supervision. I support doctoral researchers across multiple engineering disciplines and supervise early-career researchers and interns, fostering interdisciplinary thinking and practical problem-solving skills. My leadership experience includes managing significant research budgets, coordinating multi-stakeholder technical programmes, and ensuring delivery against complex regulatory, safety, and performance requirements. I place strong emphasis on mentoring, collaboration, and creating an inclusive research environment that supports professional development.
More broadly, my work aligns with institutional priorities around global engagement, industrial partnership, and sustainable innovation. By collaborating across sectors and disciplines, I aim to strengthen the role of the university as a trusted partner for industry and a contributor to international efforts in decarbonisation and resource resilience. My long-term ambition is to continue building research and innovation activities that deliver measurable economic, environmental, and societal benefit while training the next generation of engineers to operate effectively in a rapidly evolving, sustainability-driven landscape.
