Group members

Education Backgound: 

• 2023-Now, PhD, Engineering Science, University of Oxford

• 2016-2022, BEng, Chemical Engineering, The Technical University of Kenya

Introduction: 

Dorcas is passionate about energy security and environmental sustainability as well as  the need to conserve Mother Nature and the need to have efficient yet sustainable process industries.  She is currently working on Industrial decarbonization, specifically looking at steel industry, and finding alternative reducing agents(green fuels), as well as reactor modelling to minimize emissions and heat energy losses. Her research approach involves experimental studies coupled with process modelling, and has experience using MATLAB, COMSOL Multiphysics and Aspen Plus, and is supervised by Dr. Binjian Nie and Professor Aidong Yang.

While pursuing her undergraduate Chemical Engineering degree from the Technical University of Kenya, Dorcas specialized in Energy and Environment in her final year and did a research project titled “Modelling and economic evaluation of waste tire pyrolysis”, a waste-to-energy concept model, to help reduce the use of fossil fuels by having alternative fuel sources.

Dorcas is eager to collaborate with researchers in the clean energy and alternative fuels sectors, as well as those in the steel and iron-making industries. She is particularly interested in connecting with professionals working on industrial decarbonisation, green hydrogen, green ammonia, and renewable energy technologies.

Dorcas enjoys knowledge sharing and serving in leadership. She is an active member of the Women in Engineering Society at Oxford and serves as the International Student Representative and the President of the Linacre African Network at Linacre College. Some of her professional experiences includes consultancy roles at Deloitte East Africa and the BMW Mini Plant in Oxford.

Award and Honors: 

• First Class Honors: Valedictorian Class of 2022

• Rhodes Scholar 2023

Relative Link: 

Rsearch Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dorcas-Tuitoek-2 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorcastuitoek/ 

Oricd: 0009-0003-3620-7695 

Education Background:

• 2020-2024, PhD, Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge (Emmanuel College)

• 2016-2020, MEng, BA, Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge (Emmanuel College)

Introduction: 

Alex joined the ESEC group in 2024 as a PDRA, with his main research work focussing on thermochemical heating and cooling for heat management in solid hydrogen storage systems, alongside other projects on applying chemical looping for processes such as ammonia production and CO2 utilisation. His doctoral research, performed at the University of Cambridge in the group of Dr Ewa Marek, focussed on the fundamentals and applications of chemical looping catalysis for selective oxidation reactions. Outside of his research work, Alex enjoys country sports and going to the opera.

Relative Link

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=t5q__d4AAAAJ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arpharrison/ 

Oricd: 0000-0002-9063-2364 

Education Backgound: 

2021-2025, Research Engineer, Research and Development Center in Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia

2017-2021, BSc, Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Introduction: 

Ragad joined the ESEC group as a DPhil student, working on CO2 utilization and conversion. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Ragad joined the Research and Development Center in Saudi Aramco, in which she worked on catalyst synthesis process optimization for both the production of hydrogen and the utilization of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier. Between 2023 and early 2025, Ragad spent a year as a process engineering in Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical company, a joint venture refinery between Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergies.

Relative Link: 

Google Scholar:  https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WPhvjrcAAAAJ&hl=en

Linkedin: https://sa.linkedin.com/in/ragadaldilaijan

Oricd: 0009-0002-3528-5467

Education Backgound: 

Introduction: 

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Education Background:

• 2024.10-2024.12, Visiting Scholar, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford

• 2023-now, Post Doc, Mechanical Engineering, Shnghai Jiaotong University

• 2019-2023, PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Shnghai Jiaotong University

Introduction: 

Xusheng obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2023, where he was recognized as one of the Outstanding Graduates of Shanghai. His research focused on intelligent control and process modeling of advanced energy systems, such as energy storage and power systems. Before he comes to Oxford, Xusheng conducted postdoctoral research at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he successfully secured funding from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.  Xusheng has published 15 academic papers in academic journals, including Energy Environ. Sci、Energy Convers Manage, Energy, Int J Hydrogen Energy, with one of his papers being recognized as an ESI highly cited paper. Additionally, he serves as a reviewer for leading international journals such as Applied Energy, Energy, Journal of Power Sources, Journal of Energy Storage, and Energy Conversion & Management, etc.

Relative Link

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=umurxRcAAAAJ&hl=en 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xusheng-wang-071403305/ 

Education Backgound: 

• 2022-Now, PhD, Engineering Science, University of Oxford

• 2020-2021, MPA, Science Technology Energy and Public Policy

• 2019-2020, MSc, Advanced materials for sustainable infrastructure, Imperial College Lonon

• 2015-2019, BEng, Material Science, Southwest University 

Introduction: 

Zi is a future system engineer whose current focus revolves around advancing and refining industrial-level comprehensive systems for carbon capture, CO2 to fuel and heat recovery. His aim is to employ this system to curtail external energy consumption in the production of hydrogen, methanol, and other commodities. From a systems perspective, the integrated utilization of carbon capture, heat recovery and redistribution, and CO2 fuel synthesizing systems can significantly reduce the energy costs associated with CO2 conversion by minimizing additional energy consumption. However, various compatibility issues exist between systems such as flow rate and heat matching. Therefore, Zi conducts feasibility studies on system coupling at system, reactor, and material levels to achieve a “black box” conversion from industrial exhaust gases to value-added fuels/chemicals. Prior to this, his efforts were concentrated on pioneering low-carbon cement. Through dynamic material flow models, he engineered extensive carbon sequestration calculations model grounded in material alteration, alongside cement carbon uptake computations rooted in natural absorption.

Collaboratively with Arup in 2020, he conducted policy investigations and proffered counsel concerning the UK cross-boundary heat network. Furthermore, he completed internships in diverse low-carbon sectors, including China's governmental low-carbon policy division and the research wing of the securities industry. These roles collectively furnished him with a multidimensional comprehension of China's low-carbon market.

Relative Link: 

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=zh-CN&user=80OjZhIAAAAJ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zi-huang-9603/ 

Oricd: 0009-0006-9734-8629 

Education Backgound: 

• 2023-Now, PhD, Engineering Science, University of Oxford

• 2021-2022, MSc, Advanced Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London

• 2017-2021, BEng, Process Control and Equipment Engineering, Dalian University of Technology

Introduction: 

Zirui had a rich academic background in engineering. He studied the design of the Mecanum vehicle and auxiliary parking equipment at Dalian university of technology, gaining expertise in mechanical engineering principles related to equipment design. Afterwards, at Imperial College London, he focused on the sequence-control multifunctional polyether synthesis and measurements, developing a strong foundation in advanced material production. His diverse skills and expertise enable him to design and develop innovative products and processes.

Nowadays, he has obtained an associate membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (AMRSC) and interested in the synergistic process of decarbonization and resource recovery, aiming to realize carbon net zero and sustainable development goals. His main focus is Calcium looping process  for carbon capture and Industrial waste heat recovery. The initial plan is to improve the calcium-based absorbents and systems designed to capture carbon dioxide. He plans to construct the pilot experiment after simulation. Zirui is also dedicated to studying industrial thermal management based on phase change material and system design. He is committed to optimize heat exchanger distribution to reduce energy consumption and utilize phase change materials to store the waste heat.

Zirui hopes to cooperate with the industry and government to apply the research in practical production, achieving environmental protection and sustainable development.

Relative Link: 

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?hl=zh-CN&user=BS3ZSl8AAAAJ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zirui-wang1999/ 

Oricd: 0009-0006-6976-9522 

Education Backgound: 

• 2023-Now, PhD, Engineering Science, University of Oxford

Introduction: 

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Introduction: 

Dr Xuesong Lu is currently a postdoctoral research assistant in the Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford. He received his two PhD degrees from Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2000 and University of Cambridge in 2017. His research interests are multiphase reactions in fluidised beds, moving beds, rotating packed beds and stirred tanks for carbon solutions and paste extrusion 3D printing for advanced materials. He currently has more than 70 peer-reviewed publications that have been cited over 2200 times. 

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Education Backgound: 

• B.Sc. Chemical Engineering, Technische Universität München, 2020 - 2024

• M.Sc. Chemical Engineering, Technische Universität München, 2024 - 2026

• Visiting Graduate Student, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, since June 2025

Introduction: 

Amir Dastgheibifard is currently a visiting graduate student from Technische Universität München, conducting research on optimizing solar thermochemical syngas production. His work focuses on:

• Developing a heat recovery strategy to enhance system efficiency

• Experimenting with innovative catalyst structures and materials.

Amir has both academic and industry experience in areas such as hydrogen transport (including cryogenic liquid  hydrogen pumps and hydrogen pipelines), hydrogen production, and advancing the sustainable transition of the (petro)chemical industry.

Relative Link: 

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/amirdf 

Education Backgound: 

• 2023-2025, EXPEC Advanced Research Center

• 2019-2023, BSc, Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Introduction: 

Ghassan earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with High Honors from the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently an MRes student within the ESEC Group, where his research focuses on carbon capture and utilization (CCU). His work aims to advance the development of low-carbon synthetic fuel and chemical production systems that contribute to achieving net-zero emissions. In particular, he investigates the integration of CCU processes to enhance efficiency, scalability, and overall system sustainability.

Prior to joining the ESEC Group in 2025, Ghassan worked at the EXPEC Advanced Research Center, where he contributed to developing sustainable, industrial-scale routes for high-efficiency CO₂ conversion and utilization, as well as the incorporation of low-carbon hydrogen as a feedstock. His research there also involved the development of photo- and thermo-photocatalytic processes to accelerate and upscale green and blue hydrogen production, alongside evaluating methanol as a promising hydrogen carrier.

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Education Backgound: 

• 2022-Now, PhD, Engineering Science, University of Oxford

• 2020-2022, MSc, Nanotechnology  University of Oxford, 

• 2017-2019, MSc, Completion and Well Intervention Engineering, Robert Gordon University

• 2013-2016, BSc. Management, London School of Economics and Political Science

• 2008-2012, BEng, Petroleum engineering, University of Pune, 

Introduction: 

Nikhil has 10+ years of energy industry experience in front-end designing and operations for drilling, completions, and well-intervention activities for offshore and land rigs. He strongly focuses on process improvement, operational performance enhancement, and HSSE and has steered several high-profile engineering projects requiring end-to-end project management in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Malaysia, Brunei, and the US.

His current research interest is carbon capture storage and utilization, geothermal energy generation, and underground hydrogen storage technologies. Previously, he has done research for private corporations encompassing computational fluid dynamics, nano-tracer technology development for reservoir management and monitoring, geochemical modelling, and developing computational tools for petrophysics and geophysics data evaluation and interpretation

Education Backgound: 

• 2022-Now, PhD, Engineering Science, University of Oxford

• 2018-2022, BS, Mechanical Engineering, Boston University

Introduction: 

Gayatri is an Engineering Science DPhil student researching how to utilize adsorption desalination and cooling processes to develop a decentralized, low-energy potable water and cold storage cogeneration system. More broadly, she seeks to utilize computational and experimental methods at the water-energy-food nexus to tackle current and future sustainable development opportunities. Gayatri is co-advised by Prof. Nick Hankins and Dr. Binjian Nie.  

Prior to joining the University of Oxford, Gayatri completed her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Boston University. During her degree, she built and tested a desiccant-based water harvesting device for her senior design project, conducted research in heating electrification through Boston University’s Campus Climate Lab, and interned at Commonwealth Fusion systems as an R&D Mechatronics Intern. Building on a range of research and industrial internships in the energy and water landscape, Gayatri aims to bring an interdisciplinary perspective to future computational and experimental research projects.  

Award and Honors: 

• Innovation4All Competition Inaugural Winner, Worshipful Company of Engineers & Tech4All  (2023-Now)

• Clarendon Scholarship, University of Oxford (2022-Now)

• Anthony Janetos Climate Action Prize, Boston University Campus Climate Lab (2021)

Relative Link: 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgayatri/ 

Education Backgound: 

• 2024-Now, PhD, Engineering Science, University of Oxford

• 2023-2024, MSc, Engineering with Management, University of Bristol

• 2019-2023, BEng, Marine Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology. 

Introduction: 

Zhenyu studied Turbine Engineering at Wuhan University of Technology and obtained his Bachelor of Engineering degree. During his undergraduate studies, he gained knowledge of engineering thermodynamics, which he relied on to participate in competitions in China and win prizes. He then studied Engineering Management at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Bristol. During his MSc degree, he specialised in Smart Manufacturing, learning about lean manufacturing and artificial intelligence. During his undergraduate and postgraduate studies, he has also learnt how to use ANSYS Fluent for fluid simulation including multiphase flows. He has used solid-liquid coupled fluid simulation to solve problems related to theory verification in device design. These skills provide him with a good foundation for his future study life.

Currently, he is working on thermal management in industry using his knowledge of engineering thermodynamics. His future academic goal is to design and build devices that can effectively store or utilise waste heat. He hopes to optimise heat exchangers by combining theoretical simulations with real devices to improve the thermal efficiency of the devices.

In his future research, Zhenyu hopes to apply the results of his research to actual production to further reduce the loss of waste heat and achieve the goal of reducing emissions while saving energy, contributing to the realisation of environmental protection and sustainable development. 

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Education Backgound: 

• 2021-2025, BEng, Hons, Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, 

Introduction: 

Yidong joined the ESEC group in 2025 as a Master of Science (by Research) student in Engineering Science. His current research focuses on the development of solar energy storage and solar-driven water treatment systems, aiming to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of renewable energy utilization. He previously completed his BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. During his undergraduate studies at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Yidongjoined the research group led by Prof. Tao Wu, where he employed density functional theory (DFT) simulations to investigate the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction process. He also participated in a project on natural gas vehicle exhaust treatment, supervised by Prof. Jun He, contributing to the design and optimization of core–shell catalysts for enhanced catalytic performance and hydrothermal stability.

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Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=zh-CN&user=NwEPo5kAAAAJ

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Education Backgound: 

Introduction: 

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-ball-/ 

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Education Backgound: 

• 2014-2018, University of Nottingham, PhD, Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing

• 2010-2014, BEng, Chemical Engineering, Univeristy of Nottingham

Introduction: 

Incorporating a diverse range of experiences, Dr Le Ma has emerged as a multifaceted professional, proficient in entrepreneurship, research and project management.

As an Entrepreneurial Lead and Co-founder at Reactive Fusion Ltd, he successfully secured funding from Innovate UK, catalysing the launch of a pioneering engineering venture in 2022. The company’s primary focus encompassed fully reactive inkjet printing of polymers and high-throughput polymer chemistry screening.

His academic expedition at the University of Nottingham stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the advancement of knowledge. As a Research Fellow, he led the team explored the intricate interplay between material chemistry, geometry and immune cell response and their results were published in Matter. He also contributed significantly to pioneering the creation of human-scale tissues with patterned vascular networks through 3D printing of sacrificial sugar-protein composites. During his Ph.D, Le developed a predictive modeling tool for material screening for 3D printing and patented the technique.

Relative Link: 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/le-ma-phd-15751ba6/