Our team of expert academics and dedicated professional staff help to support world-leading energy research. Find out more about their expertise below.

Executive board

  • Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian OBE
    Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian OBE Managing Director

    Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian is the Head of Energy Institute at the University of Sheffield, the Managing Director of the Translational Energy Research Centre and the General Secretary of International Flame Research Foundation (IFRF). Click the image to learn more.

  • Melissa Ayres
    Melissa Ayres Head of Finance, Commercial and Partnerships

    Melissa Ayres leads on Finance, Commercial and Partnerships for the Translational Energy Research Centre. Click the image to learn more.

  • Professor Jon Gibbins
    Professor Jon Gibbins Technical Consultant

    Professor Jon Gibbins is Technical Consultant for the Translational Energy Research Centre, Professor of Power Plant Engineering and Carbon Capture at the University of Sheffield and Director of the UK CCS Research Centre (UKCCSRC). Click the image to learn more.

Researchers and academic staff

  • Dr Karen Finney
    Dr Karen Finney Senior Research Fellow - Sustainable Energy Management

    Dr Karen Finney is a Research Fellow for the Translational Energy Research Centre and Energy 2050 at the University of Sheffield, and a member of the Energy Institute, and leads on the theme of renewable energy and smart energy management. Click the image to learn more.

  • Dr Muhammad Akram
    Dr Muhammad Akram Research Fellow - Carbon Capture

    Dr Akram leads the Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCUS) research theme for the Translational Energy Research Centre and Energy 2050 at the University of Sheffield. Click the image to learn more.

  • Dr Janos Szuhanszki
    Dr Janos Szuhanszki Research Associate - Bioenergy

    Dr Janos Szuhanszki leads the Biomass, Bioenergy and Waste-to-Energy research themes at the Translational Energy Research Centre and Energy 2050 at the University of Sheffield. Click the image to learn more.

  • Dr Andy Heeley
    Dr Andy Heeley Research Associate - Hydrogen

    Dr Andy Heeley is a Research Associate in Hydrogen, fuel cells and zero-carbon fuels combustion at the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre. Click the image to learn more.

  • Ihab Ahmed
    Ihab Ahmed Research Associate

    Ihab Ahmed is Research Associate, specialising in Advanced Gas Turbine Combustion and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Emissions. With expertise in combustion dynamics and emissions analysis, he spearheads projects aiming to reduce carbon footprint in aviation. Click the image to learn more.

  • Dr Ehsan Alborzi
    Dr Ehsan Alborzi Senior Research Fellow

    As Research Fellow in Aviation Fuel and Lubricant, Ehsan’s work is on research themes related to sustainable aviation fuel such as fuel compositional-properties relationships, technical suitability of aviation fuels for application in aero-engines and material compatibility. Click the image to learn more.

  • Dr Maria Fernanda Rojas-Michaga
    Dr Maria Fernanda Rojas-Michaga PhD Student

    Maria is a PhD Student at Energy 2050 at The University of Sheffield. Click the image to learn more.

Professional staff

  • Mazen Musaeed
    Mazen Musaeed Business Development Manager

    Mazen Musaeed is the Business Development Manager for the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre. Click the image to learn more.

  • Dr Kris Milkowski
    Dr Kris Milkowski Technical Fellow

    Kris Milkowski is the Technical Fellow at the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Research Centre.

  • Lisa Shepley
    Lisa Shepley Personal Assistant to Prof. Mohamed Pourkashanian & Administration Officer

    Lisa Shepley is the Personal Assistant to Prof. Mohamed Pourkashanian and the Administration Officer for the Translational Energy Research Centre. Click the image to learn more.

  • David Gains
    David Gains Operations Manager

    David Gains is the Operations Manager for the Translational Energy Research Centre. Click the image to learn more.

  • Fe Wells
    Fe Wells Project Manager

    Fe Wells is the Project Manager for the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre. Click the image to learn more.

  • Megan Clarke
    Megan Clarke Receptionist & Admin Officer

    Megan Clarke is the Receptionist and Administration Assistant for the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre. Click the image to learn more.

  • Niamh Haughey
    Niamh Haughey Marketing and Communications Officer (Maternity Cover)

    Niamh Haughey is the Marketing and Communications Officer for the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre. Click the image to learn more.

Technical staff

  • Dr Abdulaziz Gheit
    Dr Abdulaziz Gheit Experimental Officer

    Abdul is the Experimental Officer for the Translational Energy Research Centre with a speciality in heat transfer in thermo-fluid systems. Click the image to learn more.

  • Sam Allen
    Sam Allen Technical Team Leader

    As Technical Team Leader, Sam is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the rigs, equipment and laboratories for the facility, as well as leading the technical team. Click the image to learn more.

  • Andrew ‘Del’ Delorenzi
    Andrew ‘Del’ Delorenzi Technician

    Del is a Technician with a speciality in understanding and maintaining the electrical installations and control systems. Click the image to learn more.

  • Andrew Hemstock
    Andrew Hemstock Technician

    As a Technician, Andrew Hemstock provides technical support to all aspects of the rigs and equipment, including maintenance, development and experimental testing to support the delivery of research projects. Click the image to learn more.

  • Tom Gregory
    Tom Gregory Assistant Engineering Technician

    Tom is an Assistant Engineering Technician whose current role is in supporting technical work taking place on site at both TERC and SAF-IC. Click the image to learn more.

  • Tim Cathcart
    Tim Cathcart Electrical Control and Instrumentation Technician

    Tim Cathcart is the Electrical Control and Instrumentation Technician at the Transitional Energy Research Centre and Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre. Click the image to learn more.

  • Hansini Rathnayake
    Hansini Rathnayake Laboratory Manager

    Hansini Rathnayake is the Laboratory Manager for the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre. Click the image to learn more.

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