Category: Alumni Interviews

James Lightfoot shares his progression from completing a PhD to driving innovation in renewable energy at SSE Renewables…

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
Coming to the of end my undergraduate degree in biochemistry I was very keen to explore a career change. After a long discussion with Paul Weaver in Queens Building, I was enthused by the high-impact nature of the R&D, the industrial links within the department and the commitment to invest in skills and training from EPSRC. BCI gave me the opportunity to retrain with a cohort, which gave me the chance to learn and develop with a group of like-minded PhD students. 

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
I was in the inaugural year of what was called the “ACCIS DTC” in 2009. I specialised in composite manufacturing and did a PhD on defects formed during the manufacturing process of propeller blades, under the supervision of Kevin Potter and Michael Wisnom and GE Aviation. My PhD included elements of manufacturing process modelling and lots of hands-on manufacturing. I also learned to layup a Dowty propeller blade which was a fantastic experience.   

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
I spent three years at Frazer-Nash Consultancy where I spent much of my time carrying out finite element modelling of metallics in aerospace gas turbines and composites for the automotive industry. I then spent almost seven years at the National Composites Centre (NCC) as a Technical Programme Manager. At the NCC I was lucky enough to lead the renewable energy team and portfolio, meaning I worked alongside the likes of Europe’s biggest turbine manufacturers to help them make better turbine blades. This included 3D printing of continuous fibre composites, digital twins of blade curing and developing composite turbine towers for floating offshore wind.  

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
I’ve since moved to SSE Renewables and have led on sustainable innovation for over two years, covering onshore and offshore wind, hydroelectric power and battery storage. I still work with composites, though I spend most of my time trying to recycle our blades, which can be over 100m in length and over 50 tonnes in mass which isn’t particularly easy. With the diversity of our business I’ve had to learn a lot, from making our onshore wind foundations more sustainable, through to decarbonising offshore wind with zero emissions vessels. Working in renewable energy is fantastic and I’ll likely stay in the industry for some time.  

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
As I retrained to composites in the first year of the doctoral training centre my time at BCI helped me to rapidly understand new concepts, tools and techniques. This was critical to picking up the broad range of projects whilst working at Frazer-Nash. The massive range of composites work, from process modelling to making and breaking 3m wingboxes, gave me a huge breadth of knowledge of experience for me to lean on whilst at the NCC. My PhD also helped me develop transferable skills, the most important being talking to a range of stakeholders about very technical ideas, which is essential in my professional life. 

Now working for Rocket Lab, Vishnu Muraleedharan shares his journey from MSc to Composite Engineer…

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
I was already working as a composite engineer at Verdant, an aerospace company based in India, loved it and was considering doing a Master’s in Composites, abroad. I did my research – everything related to studying abroad, benefits and challenges. I wanted to get into a University which is reputed, has strong research and industrial ties, in a vibrant city and proximity to aerospace companies. I figured all of these would help me in my career and life moving forward. I short listed a few universities- but University of Bristol stood out. Filton being an aerospace hub and close to University, and knowing the University already have research collaboration with many – I considered that as a good opportunity to grow my network and possibly leverage that for a career in composites in UK. Beyond that it was the history, heritage and beauty of the University and the city that attracted me. Although I was not able to utilize the opportunity to the best due to Covid, life had a different plan for me. 

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
I was in a taught Master’s programme, therefore there wasn’t a lot of research except my thesis. But during the course works, I enjoyed topics related to materials, and processing of composite material, specifically carbon prepreg composites. I still remember one particular course work, where I was reviewing applications of carbon composites in bicycles and how leading bicycle manufacturers use carbon for their sporting bikes and their patented processes. For my final thesis, I manage to collaborate with then Rimac Automobili, current Bugatti Rimac and I focused my research on methods to improve Noise, vibration and Harshness (NVH) properties of carbon composites. I was drawn to the use of  visco-elastic materials to dampen vibrations. The thesis itself was quite heavily dependent on FEA and working with viscoelastic materials was challenging. Although, the thesis was quite interesting, it made me realise FEA is not for me. I’m someone who wants to work hands-on. Maybe it was hard because I wasn’t enjoying it much, but it was an important learning for me. I found out something I would not want to take up as a career.    

After leaving the BCI where did you go? 
I often find networking as key factor of working in an industry. Although big, the composite industry is quite tight-knit. Everyone knows someone, or someone who knows someone. It was through contacts I made from my previous job that I managed to collaborate with Rimac for my thesis. This later led to a job interview and I was offered the role of Composite Manufacturing Engineer, which moved me to the exciting world of Hyper cars, in the beautiful country of Croatia.  

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like? 
I joined Bugatti – Rimac in the beginning of 2022. I was predominantly involved in the productionizing of Rimac Nevera and the Development of the Bugatti Tourbillon – which will always remain as the highlight of my career. After three great years at Bugatti-Rimac, I got offered a role in Rocket lab in New Zealand. Since early 2025, I’ve been working as a Composite Engineer for Rocketlab, for their launch vehicles – Electron and Neutron. I say to my friends “I went from building rockets on the road to actual rockets”. My future plans are not solid yet, but it’s safe to say my future remains in composites and playing it by ear. I’m open to where my career takes me and remaining positive it’s all for good.  

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia? 
Bristol being a Research University and BCI being very close with industry – there is a culture that you are provided with the support and knowledge, but it is up to each individual to use those opportunity to make something valuable out of it. People around me were intelligent, driven, hardworking and passionate – that kept me humbled, grounded and motivated at the same time. I learned how to approach complex problems independently and at the same time learned when to seek help – which I think is a must have quality in an industry work environment.  

Rafael Iglesias shares his journey from PhD to lecturer in Biomedical Engineering at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid…

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
My decision to pursue my PhD studies at the Bristol Composites Institute was largely influenced by the CERTEST project, which brought together more than twenty researchers from different fields such as computational mechanics and experimental mechanics. In addition, the BCI is internationally recognised as a leading centre in the field of composite materials — an area in which I had already decided to specialise in some time ago.

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
I specialised in thermal imaging and digital image correlation applied to composite laminates. Under the supervision of Professor Janice Barton and with the support of my colleagues, I focused on thermoelastic stress analysis of CFRP laminated materials and studied their behaviour under non-adiabatic conditions. 

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
I am currently a Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid. I decided to return to my home country because I wanted to build my career and personal life closer to my family. 

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
Within the Biomedical Engineering degree at UFV, I teach and conduct research related to the manufacturing and mechanical testing of biostructures such as splints, prostheses, and scaffolds. In the upcoming semester, I plan to supervise some final-year projects and gradually re-engage with research activities. 

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia? 
One of the most valuable skills I developed at the BCI was the ability to communicate, present, and defend ideas effectively in front of an audience. This came from attending numerous international conferences thanks to the support of Professor Janice Barton, Professor Ole Thomsen, and the funding provided by CERTEST. I feel very proud of the professional I have become after completing my PhD at the BCI. 

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
I completed my undergraduate degree in the Aerospace Engineering department at Bristol, so I was already familiar with the research group and their work. I was particularly attracted to the CDT format, which offers the freedom to explore and choose my PhD topic, as well as the opportunity to develop key skills essential for a successful PhD student.

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
My focus was on engineering origami. Specifically, I was interested in understanding the mechanical properties of origami structures, which theoretically have a single degree of freedom (making them a perfect mechanism), but in reality, they possess multiple degrees of freedom. This means that, while theoretically, a single actuator would suffice to deploy an origami structure, in practice, actuators must be distributed throughout the structure to achieve the desired deployment.

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
My first role after leaving BCI was at a start-up company in Newport called B2Space. This company specialises in high-altitude ballooning, specifically with the objective of creating a satellite launch vehicle that deploys from a high-altitude balloon. Initially, my role was to perform all analyses (structural, aerodynamic, control, etc.) in support of the design of our products. After a few months, I also took over the management of the mechanical design, build, and launch operations of our high-altitude balloons. I spent two years with B2Space, during which I travelled and conducted high-altitude balloon launches in places as diverse as North Wales and the Canary Islands. After those two years, I was ready for a new challenge and moved to Space Forge as the Satellite Operations Lead. In this role, I am responsible for developing and executing the operations of our satellites and payloads throughout their reusable lifecycle. About a year into this role, the opportunity arose to also take on the ForgeStar-1 platform product lead role. As part of this, I am the most senior engineer responsible for the technical decisions throughout the lifecycle of ForgeStar-1 (an R&D satellite), from design through build and test until the mission is complete in orbit.

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
I am currently preparing to manage the operations of ForgeStar-1 when it launches this summer. My future plans are to grow my team at Space Forge so that we can best support the technology development and design needed to build and operate ForgeStar-2, which will be our first operational satellite performing in-space manufacturing and returning the products to Earth.

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia? 
The two most important things were: 1. Teaching me how to be a self-starter and figure out what the problem is and how to solve it on my own. 2. Giving me the freedom to teach and engage in outreach, which broadened my horizons and helped me make contacts that have been beneficial throughout my subsequent career.

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies? 
When I was looking for a doctorate, I knew I wanted to work on composite materials but I wasn’t sure about the area in which I wanted to specialise. The CDT programme that BCI offers provided me with the opportunity to learn more about the world of composites before deciding which route interests me the most. Additionally, coming from a science background the CDT provided the opportunity to upskill myself with engineering skills, which is ultimately the route I ended up taking. 

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here? 
I worked on the development of nanocomposite materials with enhanced toughness. My research was mostly experimental, using a multi-scale approach to tackle the research question. More specifically, I developed polystyrene nanofibres with embedded cellulose nanocrystals, and then I added these nanofibres as interleaves within composite laminates. I studied the mechanical performance of all the different components, working towards understanding the connection between the properties of the nanofibres and how they affected the mechanical performance of the composite laminates.

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
Initially I moved to Oxfordshire and worked as an R&D Scientist in The Electrospinning Company in the field of biomedical devices. I realised though that the aerospace sector was my true calling, so I returned to Bristol as a Composites Engineer with Alten UK, a consultancy which gave me the opportunity to work for Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace. After that, I moved to the National Composites Centre (NCC), where I still work as an Advanced Research Engineer for materials in extreme environments.  

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
I am currently working on multiple projects on the development of materials and manufacturing processes for materials in extreme environments. That includes materials that can withstand hypersonic speeds, cryogenic environments, and even the synergistic effect of atomic oxygen and radiation in lower earth orbit. In the future I would like to keep working in this area as a technical specialist; the cutting-edge applications that I get to work on are always interesting and they provide an early glimpse into our future! 

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
The BCI prepared me by helping me develop both my technical skills, which are of course absolutely necessary, but also my soft skills. Learning how to communicate with your team, how to present your research, how to manage a budget and a timeline… these are qualities that help candidates stand out when applying for jobs, and that eventually make you successful in your career, as you can navigate your projects and any difficulties more easily. 

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
I was connected to the former Director Ivana Partridge through one of her former students from Cranfield, he was supervising me during my industry led master thesis. I was invited and coincidentally they had a position that was the perfect topic for me. What really drew me to the EngD programme was the close connection to industry, I had the privilege to work on one of the NCC core projects, sponsored by their Tier 1 partners. This gave me exposure to industry needs, a great industry network and a big challenge to tackle, bridging industry and academia.

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
My research area was Automated Fibre Placement with Dry Fibre material. I was able to explore this topic on an industrial level, working with an automation system as it would be used in production, not a small test set up. I was looking into a variety of aspects of this technology, machine parameter determination, influence of part geometries on the layup, the infusion process but also the scalability. I really enjoyed working with a multi-disciplinary team: programmers, metrologists, infusion specialists, production technicians, I have learned so much from all my colleagues.

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
My first job after the EngD was in Sales, which was only short lived. I have learned a lot of what I am not good at and what I do not want to do, which was also a valuable learning experience. I took a different role after less than a year, I joined Airborne in the Netherlands as a proposal engineer, which was a position connecting the sales team and the engineering team. I later changed to the engineering team leading all R&D activities, which brought me back into familiar turf of bridging the gap between research and development. I now work for a Dutch funding body (Luchtvaart in Transitie) overseeing national projects in the aviation sector, working closely with the Dutch government but also the executing companies. Again, I find myself bridging a gap, this time between government and industry.

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
The funding body Luchtvaart in Transitie is managing several national and international projects, a total of 12 projects, over 60 partners and a budget of several hundred million EUR. I am now overseeing a portfolio of different subsidy projects, branching out from just composites related topics into the broader aerospace industry. I also have responsibilities on the programme management side. I am excited to learn more about the transition to novel propulsion technologies and support the executing parties to develop innovative technology.

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
My studies at University of Bristol prepared me in many ways. First of course on a technical level, giving me all the technical knowledge and expertise in the field of composites manufacturing. Perhaps more importantly, I also gained many transferrable skills, such as speaking at conferences, building a strong network, self-confidence, stakeholder management and bridging the gap between industry and academia. Lastly, I learned how important it is to find my passion and to keep going for my goals. I learned that a doctorate is a marathon, not a sprint. This also applies to the career beyond the doctorate, and I am prepared to run the marathon of making aviation sustainable.

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
It offered a unique ability to spend 6 months getting to know the subject area and building a relationship with a supervisor before committing to a full-length PhD study. I was the second year of the full BCI (then ACCIS) wing being open, and the whole department felt like it had an upward trajectory and expanding resources to get interesting work done.

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
‘Automated layup or prepreg components’. I studied the manual layup process in detail, broke it down into achievable sub-tasks and then replicated them using a 6-axis robot. If you’re interested, a video can be found here.

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
After my PhD I worked as a post doc for 5 years working on numerous robotic layup variations, including Human-Robotic collaborations. I also worked on developing my teaching capabilities, delivering regular lecturers and seminars. I then moved on to the National Composites Centre, along with lots of other BCI Alumni.

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
I’m currently working on a large European project aiming to reduce defects in Wind Turbine manufacturing. This is done by sensorising the infusion and using machine learning to control to infusion, for more information see www.Turboproject.eu. Alongside this I work on numerous aerospace and defence projects, covering prepreg and Infusion and RTM manufacturing techniques. I’m hoping to pick up more lower TRL level work, and I have recently had interest into further developing my PhD work into a viable industrial process.

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
The technical skills and knowledge I developed at the BCI have been very useful, I can drop into most projects and have a good understanding of the technology, ranging from Infusion simulations to Robot programming. Some PhD schemes can be very focused on a single field, but being in the BCI surrounded by other work and frequent dissemination activities gave me a much broader understanding of composites. The BCI has always helped develop the presentation techniques of students and these skills have been very useful in my current role, in meetings, workshops and customer presentations.

As part of our Alumni Series, we speak to Priyanka Priyadarshini, Composite Test Engineer at Magma Global, about life after the BCI…

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
Bristol was ranked among the top 100 universities in the world, which is why I was interested in studying there. The city’s diverse cultural acceptance and the atmosphere of Bristol itself impressed me more than any other place. The collaboration between BCI and Rolls-Royce sparked my curiosity, as it offered insight into composite research as advanced subjects. The ongoing improvements, research initiatives, renowned professional guidance, and frequent seminars on composites were all incredibly fascinating and thoughtful. I couldn’t find any other institution that matched BCI in terms of its research opportunities. I knew that this was the right place for me to begin my journey at Bristol.

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
I worked on gaining a deeper understanding of natural fibres and conducted research on how impactful they can be when combined with synthetic materials. I examined few hybrid materials consisting of both flax and carbon fibres to analyse their strength and stiffness. Additionally, I also performed a Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate the amount of carbon dioxide they would generate once they reach the end of their life cycle.

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
Immediately after graduation, I joined a firm in Bristol as a Quality Inspector to address some financial challenges and worked there for few months. Afterward, I shifted my focus and joined Magma Global Private Limited, producer of m-pipe® for oil and gas company, as a Composite Test Engineer.

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
Our pipes are manufactured using carbon fibre and advanced oilfield polymers to meet the demanding requirements for subsea applications. As a Composite Test Engineer, I test these pipes according to company standards and analyse the data to observe different behaviours and any variances from standard test specifications. Looking ahead, my goal is to become a Chartered Engineer and make meaningful contributions to innovation in understanding carbon-polymer behaviour more deeply.

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
Through the BCI programme, I had the opportunity to connect with a variety of companies over a six-month period, gaining valuable insights into their innovative approaches and exploring how I could contribute effectively. During this time, I gained hands-on experience with the equipment provided by BCI, which enabled me to operate machinery and perform different tests independently. This experience proved valuable in enhancing my understanding of operations within the composite industry, while broadening my perspective on potential growth opportunities within my field of interest.

As part of our Alumni Series, we speak to Reece Lincoln, Senior Engineer at Frazer-Nash Consultancy about life after the BCI…

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
I chose the Bristol Composites Institute as it is a world-class research institute for composites. I was interested in researching composite structures and there was no better place to go. I was attracted to the PhD programme as it was cohort-based, meaning it wouldn’t be a completely solo adventure. I was also at Bristol Uni for my undergrad, so I knew the lecturers and research staff were excellent. 

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
I specialised in structures, specifically shell buckling. I researched how a BCI-created manufacturing technique, Rapid Tow Shearing, could be used to reduce the sensitivity of thin-walled shells to premature buckling under axial compression. I showed that with Rapid Tow Shearing, a more mass-efficient structure could be manufactured, which could lead to direct mass savings on a structure. 

 

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
I have been working at Frazer-Nash Consultancy for the past 15 months, working on data science and machine learning projects. 

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
My projects are wide ranging – but general process is similar – I work in a team of two to five that creates a model of a complex system. We then visualise this model in an interactive tool for the client. I have worked on modelling the graphite within nuclear reactors, the roll-out of gigabit-capable internet across the UK, the cost and performance of a space-based solar-power satellite, the resilience of the UK energy network to weather events, and the post-processing of nuclear waste. My future plans are to continue what I’m doing now – working on tough problems that are impactful and interesting. 

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
BCI prepared me for work outside academia by teaching me how to be rigorous in understanding a problem, methodical in my approach to creating a solution, and critical of the results any solution produces. BCI also taught me how to communicate clearly and concisely, recognising that technical problems have ‘stories’ to tell and the story is as important as the solution. 

As part of our Alumni Series, we speak to Riccardo Manno, Research and Development Engineer at Ansys about life after the BCI…

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
Back in 2017 I was involved in a research project that saw me spending some time in an University in US. That time I realized I wanted to pursue a PhD in some relevant University. I therefore, started searching for the best academic institutes around the world and I came across BCI. Looking at the website I suddenly understood that it was the place to be for an Advanced Composites Doctorate. 

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
I was mainly involved in the numerical modelling of advanced Ceramic Matrix Composites within the Rolls Royce University of Technology Centre at BCI. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with engineers working at Rolls Royce as well as other researchers based at Imperial College London and University of Oxford. I have to say it was an incredible journey. 

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
After finishing my PhD I won a Knowledge Transfer Secondment of which I was the Principal Investigator. During this time, I transferred all the work that I had produced during my PhD to Rolls Royce. While, completing the file period of the KTS I secured a position at Ansys as Research and Development Engineer. 

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
In my day to day, I implement models and pieces of software which are used for performing multiscale simulations of composite and lattice materials. I am happy to work at Ansys and I am trying to build as much knowledge as possible for progress within the company. 

 How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
I think BCI is an excellent starting point for working within academia as well as outside academia. It is really well known around the world from companies working in the composites field. Furthermore, all the trainings provided by the BCI prepared me well to make the leap into industry after my PhD and Postdoc.