About

Dr Gari Harris, our esteemed Director at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC), brings a wealth of relevant and extensive experience from both industry and academia. With a distinguished Professorial role at Dundee University in nanomaterials and a recent tenure as the head of British Steel's global Research and Development effort, Gari's expertise spans a broad spectrum.

Gari's strategic portfolio showcases his visionary leadership, with a strong focus on driving decarbonisation strategies, shaping net-zero roadmaps, promoting waste utilisation and circular economy principles, integrating supply chains, and championing the transformative power of Industry 4.0.

Drawing upon this rich background, Gari guides the NZIIC in realising its vision for a sustainable future. With his leadership at the helm, we are poised to revolutionize the industry landscape and spearhead the transition to a net-zero economy.

Professor Nashwan Dawood, our Research Director, brings a remarkable 30 years of experience in both academia and industry. With a proven history of securing over £14 million in research and innovation funding, his expertise has propelled ground-breaking advancements in BIM processes, 5D technologies, smart energy systems, and offsite construction innovation.

Having authored and published more than 350 research papers, Professor Dawood is a leading authority in his field. His extensive work experience has fostered collaborations with major industrial and research partners across the globe, from the UK and EU to Japan, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea, Qatar, and the USA.

With Professor Dawood at the forefront of our research endeavors, the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre is poised to push the boundaries of knowledge and drive transformative change. Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery and shape a sustainable future together.

Professor Dawid Hanak, is an esteemed Professor in the Decarbonisation of Industry at Teesside University. With his expertise in sustainable engineering processes, Dawid specialises in process design, techno-economic analysis, and environmental impact assessment. His research focuses on advancing carbon capture and hydrogen production for industrial decarbonisation and atmospheric CO2 management.

Dawid's involvement in numerous research and commercial projects, such as Redefining Power Generation from Carbonaceous Fuels and Combined Energy Recovery and CO2 Capture, showcases his commitment to developing high-efficiency, low-carbon power generation systems and innovative materials for CO2 capture. Dawid's work has received prestigious recognition, including the Engineer's "Collaborate to Innovate" Award and the "Clean Environment Award." Through his extensive LinkedIn network and outreach activities, he actively engages industry, policymakers, and STEM communities, promoting sustainable process engineering and fostering valuable communication with key stakeholders.

Professor Kumar Patchigolla, the Professor of Decarbonisation of Industrial Clusters at NZIIC, brings over 23 years of experience as a chemical engineer. With a passion for bridging academia and industry, Professor Patchigolla applies his expertise to a range of activities, from pioneering research to impactful industrial demonstrations.

His research vision revolves around three key pillars: enhancing efficiency, implementing CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage), and harnessing hydrogen for decarbonisation across industrial sectors. From power generation to domestic heat provision, Professor Patchigolla's work encompasses whole system analysis under the net zero agenda. His diverse portfolio covers pilot-scale capabilities in areas such as combustion, gasification, heat recovery, energy storage, renewables, hydrogen generation, desalination, and sustainable lithium extraction. With a strong focus on carbon neutrality and sustainable fuel utilization, he has secured over £12M in individual research funding and cultivates a multidisciplinary team of talented engineers. Professor Patchigolla believes in the power of "learning by doing" and has fostered an extensive network of collaborators worldwide, spanning countries such as India, China, Egypt, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Oman, USA, South Africa, and Israel, enabling his research to have a broad impact on sustainable energy transition programs.

Dr Ellis Marshall, our dynamic Business Partnership Manager at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC), transforms technical expertise and academic acumen into actionable solutions for the region's businesses. With a keen eye for identifying net zero opportunities, Dr Marshall serves as the vital link that fuses industry, research facilities, and higher education, fostering powerful collaborations between academia and the business world.

Ellis brings an impressive academic background in Materials Chemistry and Sustainable Materials to the table, allowing him to navigate the intricate landscape of sustainable technologies with precision. In recognition of his expertise, he sits on the board of the Polymers Society for the Institute of Materials, Mining & Minerals (IoM3), while also being a member of the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Sandra Ozturk, our diligent Project Administrator at NZIIC, plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of our projects. With her wealth of experience from the North East of England Process Industry Cluster, Sandra is well-versed in supporting regional businesses. She works closely with our Project Manager, Business Innovation Manager, and the wider NZIIC team, using her exceptional organizational skills to keep everything running seamlessly.

Sandra takes charge of important administrative tasks such as quality and compliance checks, customer relationship management, procurement, and broader business engagement. With her attention to detail and dedication to excellence, Sandra contributes significantly to the success of our initiatives.

Robyn Claridge, our dedicated Marketing, Communications & Events Coordinator at NZIIC, plays a vital role in driving the strategic growth of our centre. With a wealth of experience in developing successful marketing strategies, Robyn has a proven track record of fuelling growth for innovative and sustainability-focused businesses on a global scale.

Her passion for sustainability dates back to her university days, where she conducted research on the topic as part of her BA (Hons) Marketing degree. Through her creative initiatives and engaging communication, Robyn contributes to the expansion and impact of the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre.

Simon Bradshaw successfully managed an ERDF hydrogen innovation project at Teesside University, establishing a support framework for SMEs developing hydrogen economy products. In his new role as Project Manager for the Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project, he focuses on industrial collaborative research in partnership with Durham University.

Simon's career spans industrial research with organizations like ICI, Dupont, and Texon Non Woven Ltd. This included collaborative projects with universities in the UK and USA, as well as conducting external trials in Asia and the USA. He brings a wealth of experience to drive ambitious research programs, outreach initiatives, and citizen-led activities.

Benjamin Hunter, our Research Associate, holds a master's degree in Electrical Power and Energy Systems, and is currently pursuing a PhD focused on the efficient and optimal management of energy and the prioritisation of renewable energy sources in the context of EV rapid charging. His ground-breaking research aims to revolutionize the way we harness and utilize clean energy.

With an impressive background, Benjamin has also played a pivotal role in a prestigious 3-year EU-H2020-funded research project. His contributions spanned various areas, including demand response, legislation and standards research, drone-based aerial LiDAR scanning, infrared thermography/videogrammetry, electronics prototyping, and 3D printing.

Dr Prasanth Karikkethu Prabhakaran is at the forefront of ground-breaking research in the fields of Hydrogen Storage, Green Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, Electrochemistry, Hydrogen Production, Circular Economy, and decarbonization support systems for industrial clusters. With an impressive background, Dr Prasanth has conducted extensive research at renowned institutions such as the University of Bristol (UK), St. Albert's College (India), Mahatma Gandhi University (India), and ENSTA Paris (France).

His expertise lies in the design, characterization, and application of sustainable materials for low-carbon energy, with a specific focus on the synthesis and application of porous materials and their composites for hydrogen storage and CO2 capture applications. Dr Prasanth's outstanding contributions have resulted in 17 research publications in prestigious international journals and one US patent to his credit.

As a member of the esteemed Royal Society of Chemistry in London, Dr Prasanth brings exceptional knowledge and passion to our research endeavours.

Edgar Segovia Leon, our accomplished Principal Technician in Smart Energy, is a Mechanical Engineer with a passion for renewable energy. With his extensive involvement in European projects, Edgar has had the privilege of collaborating with the finest experts across Europe, allowing him to spearhead innovative initiatives that have a positive impact on society.

Currently, Edgar is dedicated to assisting Tees Valley SMEs in their research and development endeavours, empowering them to embrace cutting-edge technologies and drive innovation. He takes charge of establishing, maintaining, and showcasing state-of-the-art Smart Energy, Intelligent Energy, and Virtual Reality equipment, ensuring seamless operations and providing valuable expertise to support our mission at NZIIC.

Oluyemi Kehinde, our dedicated Principal Technician specialising in Circular Economy Innovation, is not only a PhD student in Material Science but also an expert in tackling plastic wastes, mineral wastes, and geopolymers. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Oluyemi plays a pivotal role in engaging and collaborating with Tees Valley SMEs, guiding them on the utilisation of Circular Economy equipment and driving sustainable practices.

With 14 research publications and over 74 citations in prestigious peer-reviewed international journals and conferences, Oluyemi's expertise is recognised and valued in the industry. As a registered Mechanical Engineer in Nigeria and a member of esteemed engineering institutions, including COREN and the Nigerian Institution of Professional Engineers and Scientists, he upholds the highest professional standards.

Jason Pollock, our forward-thinking Circular Economy Principal Technician, is a Mechanical Engineering master's graduate with a passion for designing products, services, and systems with circularity in mind. Jason is currently pursuing a Ph.D. focused on light-weighting vehicle components. His research delves into the realm of artificial intelligence, aiming to revolutionise material selection for enhanced efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Throughout his academic journey, Jason has contributed valuable research on comparative mass-induced energy consumption for electric vehicles. This work plays a crucial role in identifying the optimal range for light-weighting applications in battery electric vehicles, further advancing the field of sustainable transportation.

With Jason's expertise in mechanical engineering and dedication to eco-conscious design, we aim to make significant strides in reducing the environmental footprint of vehicle manufacturing and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Dr Vishal Vats, our accomplished Principal Technician in Health & Safety, brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for interdisciplinary projects. Armed with a master's degree in Materials Engineering from the esteemed National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK Surathkal), Dr Vats has also completed an industrial Ph.D. in collaboration with Teesside University and NSIRC (National Structural Integrity Research Centre) Cambridge, focusing on hexavalent chromium in welding fumes.

With a background spanning Mechanical, Materials, and Chemical engineering, Dr Vats has honed his skills in various domains. His previous endeavours include corrosion and tribo-corrosion projects during his master's, as well as research on nanocrystalline substituted cobalt-based metal oxides for photochemical water splitting.

Prior to joining NZIIC, Dr Vats served as a part-time research assistant at Teesside University, contributing to the 'Hydrogen Direct Reduction of Iron - Pilot Furnace and steelmaking (H2DRI Pilot)' project. He has also undertaken several small projects at TWI Cambridge, focusing on welding fumes.

At NZIIC, Dr Vats takes charge of establishing and implementing robust Health & Safety protocols across the organization. With a keen interest in specialist gases and pressurized systems, he ensures the highest standards of safety are upheld.

Meet Deeshani Wijesekara, our dedicated Principal Technician in Health & Safety at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC). Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Deeshani's research focuses on the recycling and valorisation of mixed post-waste plastics through pyrolysis, with a particular emphasis on low-carbon construction materials derived from readily available waste streams.

With a bachelor's degree specialising in Chemistry and a master's degree by research in Chemical Research, Deeshani possesses a diverse knowledge base in Chemistry and Polymer Science. Her expertise includes employing various chemical characterisation methods to assess materials for their specific applications.

At NZIIC, Deeshani plays a vital role in establishing and maintaining robust health and safety protocols, especially concerning elevated temperatures and pressurised vessels, in alignment with SCEDT and University guidelines. Additionally, she takes charge of showcasing and maintaining the cutting-edge laboratory facilities at NZIIC, while actively collaborating with Tees Valley SMEs to facilitate their engagement in research and innovation activities

Balkan is a PhD Research Student at the NZIIC. Balkan's studies focus on the integration of desalination and concentrated solar power (CSP) using next-generation CO2 blend power cycles. His research objectives include developing a blend-based sCO2 cycle for different concentrating solar thermal technologies, exploring novel CO2 blend compositions for cycle improvement, and power plant simulation for off-design and transient conditions.

He is one of the members of our team leading a work package in EU EU-funded H2020 research project, DESOLINATION.

Balkan completed his BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration on renewable energy systems modelling from Middle East Technical University, Türkiye. His previous studies include design and modelling of thermodynamic systems, hybridisation of geothermal with solar thermal, biomass characterisation methods, and sCO2 power cycles.