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
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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.
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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.
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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
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Dr Karen Finney Senior Research Fellow
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.
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Dr Muhammad Akram Theme Manager
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.
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Dr Janos Szuhanszki Theme Manager
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.
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Dr Andy Heeley Research Associate
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.
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Ihab Ahmed Research Associate
As Research Associate in Future Gas Turbine Combustion, Ihab is primarily involved in the delivery of projects outputs for a UKRI-EPSRC Program grant (LITECS). Click the image to learn more.
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Ehsan Alborzi 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.
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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
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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.
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Dr Kris Milkowski Technical Fellow
Kris Milkowski is the Technical Fellow at the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Research Centre.
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Rhianne Spurden Marketing & Communications Officer
Rhianne Spurden is the Marketing and Communications Officer for the Translational Energy Research Centre and for other Energy research at the University of Sheffield, including the Energy Institute. Click the image to learn more.
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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.
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David Gains Operations Manager
David Gains is the Operations Manager for the Translational Energy Research Centre. Click the image to learn more.
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Andy Douglas Health and Safety Coordinator
Andy Douglas is the Health and Safety Coordinator for the Translational Energy Research Centre. Click the image to find out more.
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Fe Wells Project Officer
Fe Wells is the Project Officer for the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre. Click the image to learn more.
Technical staff
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Tom Gregory Apprentice Technician
Tom is an Apprentice 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.
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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.

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