My research interests are focussed on particles and fluids: from particulates such as mud, cement, soil or pharmaceutical powders to suspensions such as colloids, blood, and swimming bacteria and algae. We study how such 'multiphase' systems respond to conditions such as forces, flow, and interactions with their environment. I am also particularly interested in the role of thermal fluctuations (so-called Brownian motion) in complex fluids and soft matter, whether in colloidal suspensions such as paints and foods or in biological systems such as proteins. We do both experimental and computational research, and collaborate with various industries to better understand processes and fundamental science of applications. I also do a lot of public engagement work, including books and articles, talks, and interactive events.

Departmental and Faculty Responsibilities:

• Director of Teaching (2009-2016)
• Faculty Learning and Teaching Forum
• Faculty Academic Administration Committee (2011-2016)
• Acting Full time MSc coordinator (2016-17)
• Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering course liaison with Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry (shared UG course) (2013-2018)
• Year 4 Academic Year Coordinator (2018-present)
• Department Assessment Academic Coordinator (2018-present)

Taught Classes (Chemical Engineering:

• CP102 Introduction to Chemical Engineering
• CP303 Materials Processing and Applications
• CP305 Ethics, sustainability and economics
• CP404 Multiphase systems
• CP516 Emerging Technologies
• CP520 Communicating Science and Technology
• CP531 Frontiers of chemical engineering
• CP407/413 Chemical Engineering Design
• 18530 Chemical Engineering Project
• CP926 Multiphase processing

Other teaching:

• Becoming an Engaging Researcher (Cross-faculty public engagement skills)
• Other ad-hoc public engagement classes

Teaching and learning research:

I am part of a small team within the Department which has been working over the past few years on employability, transferable skills and personal development-related issues in teaching and learning, with a particular recent focus on the role of student teamwork and student peer-tutoring to provide 'embedded' personal and professional development for undergraduates.

We are also looking at innovation skills and how undergraduate teaching and student experience can help promote the impact of research into applications, as students graduate and become key players in industry.

My research interests are focussed on particles and fluids: from particulates such as mud, cement, soil or pharmaceutical powders to suspensions such as colloids, blood, and swimming bacteria and algae. We study how such 'multiphase' systems respond to conditions such as forces, flow, and interactions with their environment. I am also particularly interested in the role of thermal fluctuations (so-called Brownian motion) in complex fluids and soft matter, whether in colloidal suspensions such as paints and foods or in biological systems such as proteins. We do both experimental and computational research, and collaborate with various industries to better understand processes and fundamental science of applications.

We have the following capabilities and expertise in my research group:

• rheology/rheometry
• direct flow visualisation microscopy
• optical microscopy with fluorescence
• high speed video
• computational optical tracking analysis
• a range of flows which can be studied in situ in microscopy, including channel, shear and squeeze
• in development: optical tweezing
• Monte Carlo/diffusive simulations including particle aggregation, gelation and associated analyses

Industrial applications and systems relevant to our research include:

• foods
• oil and gas extraction
• flow assurance
• complex fluids
• paints and coatings
• sprays
• slurries
• pastes
• granulation
• crystallisation
• colloidal materials
• shear-thickening materials
• porous materials, filtration, remediation

This list is not exhaustive: many if not most industrial processes and products involve systems of multiple phases, whether subject to evolution over time or during flow.

There is also significant relevance in natural and biological systems:

• geology (porous rocks etc)
• blood flow
• tissue response to forces
• molecular motors