SPRING GX Advanced Skills Training Lecture Series (January 22, 2025)

Join us for a hybrid lecture series featuring University of Manchester faculty on topics such as sustainable construction, autonomous robotics, advanced materials, sustainable energy, and exploring the universe with cutting-edge telescopes. The event is open to all students, with select attendees invited to discussions during lunch.

Register now via the registration form (before January 17th 2025).

Location

In-person: 5th floor auditorium, Chemistry Main Building, Hongo Campus
Hybrid: Zoom address will be sent out by email

In-person attendance and discussion is encouraged, particularly for students interested in collaboration. You do not need to attend all talks if your schedule does not allow.

Speakers (UoM)

Professor Oliver Jensen

Professor Oliver Jensen, Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Manchester, applies continuum mechanics and mathematical modelling to medicine and biology. His research explores tissue growth, plant biomechanics, microcirculation, and pulmonary mechanics, providing key insights into physiological and biological processes.
ORCID:0000-0003-0172-6578

Dr Akilu Yanusa-Kaltungo

Dr. Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo, Reader in Reliability and Maintenance Engineering at the University of Manchester, focuses on occupational safety in high-risk industries, decarbonization of energy-intensive systems, and machine learning for fault detection and diagnostics. His work bridges engineering reliability and sustainability with practical applications in collaboration with leading organizations.
ORCID: 0000-0001-5138-3783

Dr Meini Su

Dr. Meini Su, Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering at the University of Manchester, specializes in FRP-strengthened concrete, carbon fibre recycling, aluminium structural design, and development of low carbon concrete. As a Chartered Engineer, she has pioneered techniques like the Continuous Strength Method and serves on international structural engineering committees.
ORCID:0000-0001-5513-4338

Dr Aaron Trowbridge

Dr. Aaron Trowbridge, Lecturer in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at the University of Manchester, develops sustainable catalytic methods for synthetic organic chemistry. His research includes molecular oxygen editing, photocatalysis, and microenvironment mapping, with prior contributions to Pd-catalyzed C–H activation and intracellular target identification.
ORCID: 0009-0007-7252-462X

Dr Murilo Marinho

Dr. Murilo M. Marinho, Lecturer in Robotics at the University of Manchester, specializes in teleoperated and (semi-)autonomous robots for medical and scientific applications, including pediatric and eye surgery, neurosurgery, and scientific missions. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tokyo and has authored over 50 publications in leading robotics journals and conferences.
ORCID: 0000-0003-2795-9484

Dr Clara Cheung

Dr. Clara Cheung, Reader in Engineering Management at the University of Manchester, focuses on occupational health, safety, and well-being in high-risk industries, particularly construction. With a PhD in Civil Engineering and extensive industry experience, her interdisciplinary research integrates psychology, computer science, and engineering to improve workplace safety. She was named among the Top 50 Women in Engineering for Safety and Security in 2023.
ORCID: 0000-0002-8996-7351

Dr Amanda Lea-Langton

Dr. Amanda Lea-Langton, Senior Lecturer in Bioenergy Engineering at the University of Manchester, researches sustainable fuels, emissions reduction, and green hydrogen. Her work focuses on energy-related air quality, climate impacts, and innovations in bioenergy and sustainable transport technologies.
ORCID: 0000-0002-6338-9661

Professor Stephen Flint

Professor Stephen Flint, Professor of Stratigraphy at the University of Manchester, specializes in clastic sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, and reservoir prediction. With over 150 publications, his work combines field research, industry collaboration, and mentorship to advance understanding of reservoir systems and stratigraphy worldwide.
ORCID: 0000-0002-0558-6261

Professor Chris Hardacre

Professor Chris Hardacre, Vice Dean at the University of Manchester, specializes in catalysis and ionic liquids, focusing on sustainable chemical processes and clean energy solutions. His work spans heterogeneous catalysis, reaction engineering, and innovative ionic liquid applications, with over 500 publications and 12 patents.
ORCID: 0000-0001-7256-6765

Dr Iain Crowe

Dr. Iain Crowe, Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, researches silicon photonics, advanced materials, and optical spectroscopy for applications in sensing, photovoltaics, and LEDs. His work includes significant contributions to understanding silicon solar cell degradation and holds multiple patents.
ORCID: 0000-0001-8797-3582

Professor David Polya

Professor David Polya, Professor of Environmental Geochemistry at the University of Manchester, specializes in arsenic contamination in groundwater. His research combines fieldwork, experiments, and modelling to address arsenic mobility in aquifers, with significant contributions to policy and mitigation strategies in South and Southeast Asia.
ORCID: 0000-0002-7484-6696

Dr Rebecca Bowler

Dr. Rebecca Bowler, Ernest Rutherford Fellow at the University of Manchester, studies galaxy formation during cosmic dawn using observations from telescopes like Hubble and JWST. She has been recognized with awards from the Royal Astronomical Society and the Institute of Physics for her contributions to observational astronomy.
ORCID: 0000-0003-3917-1678

Timetable