Mehrnoosh is a Research Associate, working on the Climate Compatible Growth  (CCG) programme. She is working on measures of critical minerals supply chain resilience, aiming to mitigate these minerals’ supply risks. Mehrnoosh has earned her Ph.D. in Mining Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran polytechnics), Iran. During her doctoral dissertation, she researched the environmental, economic, and social impacts of deep and large-scale open-pit mines, with a focus on copper mines.

Do you have the feeling that everything is connected somehow? Well, so does Luke. For his PhD, as part of the AI for Environmental Risks CDT, Luke is developing a framework based on graph representation learning to map greenhouse gas emissions sources as part of a global network. Luke has a Master’s degree in Geophysics from the University of Leeds, after which he spent two years working as a contractor in the mining and energy industries in Australia. He then returned to the UK as a software developer and has recently completed an MRes using machine learning to accelerate damage assessments following natural disasters.

Ana is a third year PhD student in the Resource Efficiency Collective supervised by Prof. Jonathan Cullen. Her PhD is sponsored by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero to study the material impacts of delivering net zero buildings in the UK. Ana is exploring how circular economy strategies and low embodied carbon materials can be integrated into retrofit supply chains. Ana completed her master’s degree in 2022 in Environmental Technology: Business and the Environment at Imperial College London and has a background in green chemistry, having graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc Chemistry degree in 2021. 

Ella is a third year PhD student, inspecting global energy conversion chains and analysing energy storage, energy transportation, and what this means for energy security. She first studied for a BSc in Astrophysics and Geophysics at University College London before moving into engineering, completing the Energy Technologies MPhil at Cambridge University in 2021. For her master’s thesis she researched energy conversion pathways and their efficiencies through the global energy system, abstracting away from technical devices to the fundamental conversions between energy forms. Ella then worked in the Resource Efficiency Collective as a research assistant on the C-THRU project, operationalising the petrochemical industry’s Geographical Archetype Model.

I was born near the lush, mountainous jungles of El Ávila, where the beauty of nature first sparked my love for the planet and a commitment to its preservation. Later, spending my teenage years hiking the mountainsides of Damavand only deepened this connection to the Earth and heightened my desire to protect it. This passion led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tehran, where I focused on sustainability and energy transitions to address the challenges of climate change. Eager to expand my knowledge, I went on to earn a Master’s in Energy Science and Technology from ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). There, I explored innovative approaches to a more sustainable energy future. Currently, I’m pursuing a PhD at the University of Cambridge, with research spanning policy analysis to cutting-edge technologies aimed at supporting a resilient, low-carbon world. Beyond my academic pursuits, I have a deep appreciation for quantum physics and philosophy. I enjoy hiking, yacht riding, playing music, and exploring urban landscapes, often wandering through cities to discover new cafes and cultural experiences.

Laura joined Resource Efficiency Collective in August 2023 as Centre Coordinator. She previously studied Modern Languages at Cambridge University, specialising in German and Spanish. Laura is particularly interested in fostering good relationships and a collaborative dynamic within the group. She enjoys communicating research and activities within the group to a wider audience.

Fanran is a Research Associate working on the critical review and data modelling and uncertainty across petrochemical sectors as part of the C-THRU project. Previously, he was a research fellow in Sustainable Material and Technologies at the University of Nottingham. He received his PhD degree in Materials Engineering and Materials Design from the University of Nottingham in 2017. His research focuses on resource efficiency and life cycle sustainability which integrates engineering and science-based disciplines with insights from economic sciences to develop system optimisation and policy relevant strategies.

Susie Dobson is a content editor for the Refficiency working group. She supports the group with editing, writing, and digital content creation for the C-THRU project and other research initiatives. Susie recently completed an MPhil in Anthropocene Studies in Cambridge University’s Department of Geography and is especially interested in how different academic disciplines approach sustainability research and practice.

Gabriel is a Marie Curie Research Fellow working on resource efficiency, material/energy services and the circular economy, as part of the CircNexSt project. In 2020, Gabriel completed his PhD in Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Lisbon (Portugal). He focused on the stock-flow-service nexus to facilitate a more comprehensive analysis of resource production, consumption, and accumulation. Prior to joining the Resource Efficiency Collective, Gabriel worked on several H2020 projects, where he assessed the sustainability of emerging technologies. He also has over fifteen years of experience working as a consultant and sustainability professional. He advised Latin American companies in the public transport, infrastructure, and hydrocarbon sectors. Gabriel obtained an Environmental Engineering degree at La Salle University (Colombia) and a master’s degree in Energy Efficiency and Industrial Ecology at the University of Zaragoza (Spain).

Cuicui Xiao is an Assistant Professor at School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Science & Technology Beijing, China. She is currently visiting the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge for eight months. She completed her PhD at Renmin University of China and is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Tsinghua University. Cuicui’s research interests mainly focus on Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy and Environmental Management.

José is mapping the flows of resources in the UK supply chain and developing a solid-state welding process based on metal powder. This work is part of the UK FIRES programme. He completed his PhD in the Use Less Group in 2019, which was sponsored by Tata Steel UK. In his PhD, José developed a welding rig that reduced the time required to produce solid-state welds with metal powder from hours to minutes and also mapped the global material and energy flows of powder metallurgy. José has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Porto and joined Resource Efficiency Collective in 2019.

Michal is a Research Associate in Material Efficiency in Construction at the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge. His background is civil engineering and he holds a M.Sc. Eng. with PhD in concrete technology pending from Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, Poland. During his PhD, he worked on the technological factors which determine the self-compacting concrete formwork pressure. Prior to his current position, Michal worked as a Site Engineer and Concrete and Production Technologist at Precast Concrete Manufacture.

Omar is a Research Associate in material-efficient construction. His background is in civil engineering and sustainability with a PhD in material science focusing on biodegradable aerogels made from sustainable and renewable materials for the construction industry. His background in material formulation and whole life carbon analysis led him to work on several European projects focusing on innovative low carbon construction composites/materials, i.e. ICECLAY, and GELCLAD. He is currently working on assessing the material efficiency for the Automating Concrete Construction project (ACORN), while simultaneously working with Expedition Engineering to assess the material efficiency of industry partners’ own processes and help guide the industry towards improved material efficiency.

Jennifer is researching a resource efficient means of obtaining sustainable water supply for California’s Central Coast. She has a BS in Environmental Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development from Cambridge University. Jennifer is a registered professional civil engineer (PE) in the state of California. She worked for the California Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board for 7 years as Storm Water Program Manager.

Sebastian graduated with a first class honours degree BSc in Computer Science at Anglia Ruskin University in July 2015. During his studies he focused primarily on software development and human computer interaction. For his major project he investigated the application of wearable technologies in predicting health related epidemics, such as influenza. The focus on which was the current ability of wearable devices to accurately monitor and identify activity of a wearer throughout a typical day. Since graduating he has been working as a Junior Graphic Designer.

Matteo graduated with a 1st class honours in mechanical engineering (BAI) from Trinity College Dublin and subsequently completed an MPhil in Energy Technologies in Cambridge in 2016. Matteo’s PhD research focuses on energy efficiency in the rapidly evolving transportation sector and aims to assess how much engineering efficiency improvements in vehicles lead to real energy savings. Matteo is funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Research Council (EPSRC).

Shobhan graduated with a first class honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Newcastle before completing an MPhil in Energy Technologies at the University of Cambridge. In collaboration with Emerson Electric, Shobhan worked to optimise the presentation of visual interfaces (such as Sankey diagrams) for resource efficiency analysis. Shobhan is now completing a DPhil in novel battery chemistries at the University of Oxford.

Robert is a Research Assistant researching carbon clarity in the global petrochemical supply chain. He studied Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Western Australia. Robert has over five years of experience consulting in the energy and resources sector and working with the Australian Federal Government to improve supply chain policy. In 2020 Robert completed the MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge and is applying for a PhD with Resource Efficiency Collective focusing on investigating emissions transparency in the petrochemical supply chain.

Lukas joined the Resource Efficiency Collective to work on resources use and industrial symbiosis in the foundation industries as part of the TransFIRe project. The goal is to identify best practices and benchmarks to increase resource efficiency within the foundation industries (steel, cement, chemicals, metals and paper). He previously studied Industrial Engineering at TU Berlin and KTH Stockholm. Besides work, he enjoys travelling and organising field trips to industrial production sites.

Ana graduated with a first class honours  MEng in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London in July 2014. Shortly after, in October 2014, she started her PhD in the University of Cambridge in collaboration with Emerson Electric. The aim of her PhD is to evaluate the potential of coupling the use of Sankey diagrams for energy and material flow analysis to site-level process analysis in a factory. Data collected from installed process control systems will be used to perform thermodynamic analyses on the site’s process streams.

Aurelia is a Research Assistant covering the area of Low Carbon Concrete Technologies (LCCT), specifically the understanding and uptake of these technologies in the UK Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector. Aurelia studied her undergraduate and Master of Engineering degrees at Cambridge, working with Resource Efficiency Collective for her final thesis on the uncertainty of embodied energy calculations for structures. She also has experience as a consultant in the Australian energy sector, working with clients to decarbonise their energy supply and support the energy transition. (Photo credit: Si Barber)

Peter graduated with a first class honours degree in Civil Engineering (MEng) from the University of Bristol, having spent a year studying abroad at the University of California at Davis. He then went to work in industry as an engineering consultant for two years, before pursuing post-graduate study. Peter completed an MPhil degree in Engineering for Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge, exploring uncertainty in levelised cost estimates for electricity generation technologies in the UK, and was published as an article in the journal Energy Policy.

Claudio recently graduated in 2021 with an MPhil in Energy Technologies from the University of Cambridge. His dissertation focused on projecting various electricity demand scenarios and evaluating the material implications (demands, emissions and economics) of energy technologies for Indonesia in the foreseeable future. Prior to Cambridge, he holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, with a focus on drilling and reservoir engineering. He is very excited to be part of the Resource Efficiency Collective, where he will be working on the TransFIRe project, aimed at identifying the best practices and benchmarks to increase resource efficiency within the foundation industries (chemicals, cement, ceramics, glass, metals and paper). 

Harry graduated from University College London with a 1st class honours MEng in Chemical Engineering with a dissertation on modelling the use of CO2 in enhanced oil recovery. He completed an MPhil in Energy Technologies at the University of Cambridge with a masters thesis on resource efficiency in ammonia production. He is continuing this research as a PhD student looking at methodologies of identifying resource savings in the chemical industry. Find him on Twitter.

Leonardo graduated as a mechanical engineer from Imperial College London in 2014. During his undergraduate studies he conducted research on sustainability related topics such as sustainable transport policy and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a hybrid concentrated solar power plant. After his graduation he worked as a Trainee for the European Commission in the Directorate General for Research and Innovation. Leonardo’s PhD aims to build an Ashby-type map for energy efficiency of conversion devices relating energy efficiency and cost to other physical variables.

Arthur is a gap year student working as a Project Assistant largely on the C-THRU project. He will be assisting the team in their critical review and getting involved in other Refficiency projects. He is excited to contribute to the work of the group and gain knowledge and first-hand experience in this field. With A-Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Biology, Arthur will be studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Nottingham.

Tatiana is a first year Chemistry student at the University of Oxford with an interest in energy efficiency. She was a member of her school’s green team, focussing on improving access to sustainable transport options for younger students and promoting renewable energy awareness. Tatiana will be predominantly assisting on the C-THRU project and its first year report. She is looking forward to learning about the work of the group and seeing how she can contribute to the project’s goals.