IKB Fellows

Layth completed a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Newcastle University in 2015, with research focused on numerical simulation of hybrid, carbon/glass fibre reinforced, polymer composites in wind energy. He then undertook a 4-year PhD on the mechanical properties of bamboo and related structural application at Budapest University of Technology and Economics. He also conducted extensive studies on mechanical and thermal analysis in bamboo as a biocomposite, utilising both numerical simulations and experimental approaches.

Layth's expertise includes analytical and numerical homogenisation, building energy modelling BEM, and material characterisation of composite structures utilising experimental approaches.

For the Brunel Fellowship Academy, Layth is working with the Brunel Composite Centre (BCC)'s Dr. Sadik Omairey on the development of a novel, multi-scale, homogenisation framework for biocomposite. 

Dr Ehsan Baniasadi is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department and Head of Energy Research Institute at the University of Isfahan in Iran. He received his PhD from the University of Ontario Tech in Canada. He was an integral researcher in a multi-million-dollar research project on engineering design and construction of a pre-commercial pilot plant that uses water and solar energy to generate hydrogen gas, the clean energy of the future. 

Ehsan has extensive hands-on experience in numerical simulation and experimental analysis of thermal and electrochemical energy storage and solar energy systems. He has been involved in several industrial projects related to oil and gas refineries and steel-making plants.

In collaboration with the Institute of Energy Futures and the Centre for Sustainable Energy Use in Food Chains (CSEF) at Brunel, directed by Professor Savvas Tassou, Ehsan is aiming to develop a thermo-economic and life cycle assessment model for a novel trigeneration system based on green hydrogen. In contrast to conventional methods, this research will focus on the transient performance of using two different energy storage systems that are integrated with a hybrid renewable combined cooling, heating and power system.  

Dr Chika Mgbemena is a Reader in Digital Manufacturing and Production Systems in the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria, and served as the university's Head of Department (Ag.) of Industrial and Production Engineering from 2019–2022. She holds a BEng (Hons) degree in Mechanical/Production Engineering and an MEng in Industrial and Production Engineering, both from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University. She obtained her PhD in Production Engineering (Manufacturing) from the Manufacturing Informatics Centre, Cranfield University. 

Chika's research projects include being Team Lead for the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research Fellowship towards the development, implementation and commercialisation of an intelligent system for real-time remote monitoring and control of the cathodic protection systems installed on oil and gas pipelines; and being Co-Investigator for the development of a solar-battery electric auto rickshaw vehicle.

Her research at Brunel University, London involves the digitisation of green hydrogen production process for cost-effective and optimised production of clean energy towards achieving global net zero.

Dr Chinedum Mgbemena is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Director of the Centre for Research Innovation at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria. He completed his studies in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University. He worked as a Research Engineer with the National Engineering Design Development Institute, Nigeria. His research focuses on Design & Materials Technology (Biomaterials, Polymers, Composites, Numerical modelling and Simulation). 

Chinedum is working with Dr Salman Masoudi Soltani of Brunel's Chemical Engineering Department on CO2 capture using activated carbon derived from the hydrochar of biomass.

Dr Seif Allah Nasri is a lecturer in the electronics department at Badji Mokhtar Annaba University, Algeria, whose academic journey began with an intensive PhD research focussed on multiview video coding and compression. A grant from the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education enabled Seif to further his PhD research at Brunel, centred on preserving cultural heritage through 3D holoscopic imaging technology.

Following his PhD, Dr. Nasri joined Annaba to advance innovation and education within telecommunications engineering, including refining research strategies and encouraging dynamic collaborations across various labs.

As part of the Brunel Fellowship Academy, Seif has been spearheading the development of a Federated Learning prototype aimed at analysing and forecasting energy consumption in the context of smart manufacturing.

Dr Xiao Yan obtained his PhD from Wolfson Centre for Materials Processing at Brunel in 2012. He joined Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2014, where he was promoted to Associate Professor. His research interests are focused on polymer-derived ceramics and carbon nanomaterials and their applications in the energy and environmental fields.

For his role at the Brunel Fellowship Academy, Xiao is working closely with Dr Lorna Anguiano at the Experimental Techniques Centre (ETC) to develop novel low-cost, high-efficiency electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries.