Programme start date: 16th September 2013

EngD Thesis Title: Structural design and the use of reinforced concrete for wave energy converters

Educational background

I graduated in 2004 with an MEng in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Imperial College London. I spent the last year of my degree at the University of Melbourne as part of a student exchange program.

Industrial experience

Since graduating I have worked in the consulting side of engineering, working on all aspects of the design of coastal and maritime infrastructure.

What were you doing prior to this programme?

Working as a Senior Engineer for Black & Veatch in New York, specialising in the planning and design of coastal and maritime structures.

What attracted you to studying with IDCORE?

I feel that the EngD programme offered by the IDCORE provides a unique opportunity to get involved in the offshore renewables industry at a very exciting time; while it is still in its relative infancy, but is receiving the attention and commitment from government and commercial companies who are willing to invest into research and development.

I am attracted to the way IDCORE combines the academic knowledge and support offered by the participating universities with the commercial backing provided through industrial partnerships.

What attracted you to offshore renewables industry?/ What aspects of the industry do you find most inspiring, interesting or important for the future?

My interest in offshore renewables started when I contributed to the detailed structural design of the SeaGen tidal stream turbine (located in Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland) while working for Peter Fraenkel and Partners. This was a fascinating project to work on, and was my first introduction to the potential of ocean energy devices. I am a firm believer that renewable energy sources are a vital part of the UK and worldwide energy mix, and consider that with the current focus on the development of new technologies, offshore renewables can provide a valuable contribution to that mix.

What is your biggest achievement to date?

Becoming a Chartered Civil Engineer.