EngBAM

EngBAM is the result of the collective hard work of many engineers and academics at the University of Birmingham. Have you ever wondered what the life of an Engineer in academia is like? Or what sort of research they undertake? Take a look at the profiles below to find out more about the team that helped to create EngBAM!

Hi, my name is James – creator of EngBAM and Outreach Ambassador for the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham. My aim within the EngBAM project was to build on the ChemBAM project and create a series of resources introducing a new generation of scientists to the discipline of Chemical Engineering. EngBAM is designed to collate everything I would have wanted to know before starting my undergraduate degree, into a package that can both be delivered in the classroom or at home.

I joined the University as an undergraduate in 2020, and was excited to be given the opportunity to share my new found knowledge and experiences. I have enjoyed being able to tailor the EngBAM project to my strengths, allowing me to build the website and record a series of educational videos. I hope that EngBAM will be able to inspire the next generation to pursue a career in the Engineering sector.

Hi, my name is Lois and I am the Byrne Outreach and Schools Liaison Officer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham. Being an Outreach and Schools Liaison Officer means that it is my job to connect with school pupils and their teachers and introduce them to the wonderful world of Chemical Engineering. Another part of my role is demonstrating the range of opportunities made available through a University of Birmingham degree to support pupils in making an informed choice about their future.

I organise events for different age groups both on campus and in schools, and support our Academics in delivering exciting activities to school pupils. I graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2019 and loved it so much that I came back to work here in 2021! I am always happy to show people around campus and answer any questions about life here at UoB. 

Hello! I’m Matt – an Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham. For me, sustainability is key to our future development and that’s why I chose to study Chem Eng. From renewable energy to recycling technologies, this subject can be applied in many different industries which support a more sustainable future. I graduated with an MEng degree in 2015 and went on to study for a PhD. This focused on experimental research studying the degradation and recycling of carbon fibre reinforced polymers – a very strong, lightweight and high performance material, but unfortunately one that also generates a lot of waste!

In 2019, I decided to leave academia and I worked for Johnson Matthey for 2.5 years developing new catalytic converters and their manufacturing processes. This was a great insight to see how chemical engineering knowledge can be applied in a real industry which works to lower our harmful emissions. I did, however, miss the teaching I was able to do while at the University of Birmingham and so, when an Assistant Professor post was advertised, I applied and was fortunate enough to be offered the role. I now deliver lectures on the circular economy, lab sessions for undergraduates and carry out research into the recycling of complex materials.

James initially graduated in Chemistry from the University of Bath where he worked on the electrochemistry of Iron Haematite nanoparticles and researched Biological Fuel cells. Subsequently, moving to the University of Birmingham to study a Masters in Research within the department of Chemical Engineering; studying the electrochemistry, reaction kinetics and commercial use of recycled Platinum group metal nanoparticles within Biofilms.

James then completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham in the study of redox active species within liquid catholyte proton exchange membrane fuel cells and the novel electrochemistry exhibited within this environment as a viable and commercially advantageous solution to conventional proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Since completing his PhD, James has worked within academia and industry, conducting research and managing innovation teams as well as establishing and leading a design collective into sustainable solutions in design. A keen surfer, environmentalist and doer, he is constantly looking for collaborations and partnerships to solve the world’s issues.

Jon is a freelance science presenter, STEM Ambassador, previous fellow at Birmingham Open Media (BOM), member of #BrumSciComm and proudly a member of ScienceGrrl. He also delivers outreach, and teaches science communication and public engagement at the University of Birmingham, while being a visiting lecturer at the University of Chester Medical School.

In February 2018 Eddie was appointed Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham. Eddie has more than 40 papers covering a wide range of areas and more than 25 patents. Eddie has an industrial research background, after having worked for more than 30 years for a large multinational FMCG company, Unilever Research, engaged in basic research for product and process innovation.

His areas of interest and expertise include food (edible soft matter) physics and he is interested in commonly occurring colloidal states, namely liquids, gels, solids, emulsions and foams which are used in structuring many everyday products.

Eddie is a part of the Food Formulation Engineering Research group. By developing new formulation engineering methods and techniques, the team is creating cutting-edge and novel approaches to food processing and the development of healthier, higher performance products. He has also worked in the non-foods areas of home and personal care, looking, together with external collaborators, at the mechanisms of cleaning of different stains, on different substrates, using different surfactants.

Hi, I’m Tom, a final year chemical engineering student at the University of Birmingham. In my time in Birmingham I’ve most enjoyed the varied nature of chemical engineering, learning about everything from multiphase flow to economics and the manufacture of food.

I have worked on EngBAM as an outreach intern, with a focus on developing activities designed to introduce chemical engineering concepts and engage students with various aspects of STEM. A highlight for me was seeing students actively participate in my activity, both by asking questions and working with each other to solve the problems given to them.

Hello! I’m Oluwatobiloba, but you can call me Tobi. I am a graduate of University of Birmingham, with a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering. I am currently undertaking my EngD in the School of chemical engineering, under the Formulation Engineering CDT (Centre for Doctoral Training), where I am working on developing a digital twin of engineering processes to mass produce recyclable polymer products.

Studying Chemical engineering has equipped me with skills such as multiphase computational fluid dynamics, coding and scientific presentation. During my undergrad, I discovered my passion for research, sustainability and cleaner material lifecycles. Hence why I am currently undertaking a PhD. Understanding the end-of-life phase of materials involved in our daily lives is of utmost importance, this field provides an avenue for exciting research and cool engineering solutions.

I worked on the EngBAM project as a summer intern where I developed a section of the website that aims to give younger students an introduction to coding, using Python programming language. Also, I delivered introductory python workshops to A-level students are part out my involvement in the school University of Birmingham’s School of Chemical Engineering outreach activities. Furthermore, came up with the concept of EngGURU; a student support programme, which aims to support secondary schools in Birmingham with STEM academic resources through on-campus and school visit sessions, to improve students ability to acheive their target grades

Hi! My name is Zarin and I’m in Year 2 of my Chemical Engineering degree. I love the interdisciplinary aspect of the degree, in that it combines multiple aspects of science, for example, fluid dynamics, reactor design and bacterial growth, so you are always learning something new.

I have worked on the EngBAM project as an intern and have created activities such as the ‘Delivering Medicines to Neonates’ powerpoint presentation and accompanying design task to enable students (like you!) to see how chemical engineering plays a role in helping mothers of low-income countries to deliver medicine to their children.

Furthermore, to support the transition from sixth form to your first year of university, I’ve created a poster series called ‘Dear First Years’ that contain useful advice on how to tackle things such as your first set of labs, how to approach feeling like a failure, or like you’re not smart enough, to what do you do when you’re too afraid to ask your lecturer for help! I hope they help you with adjusting to university life, and most of all, I want you to feel seen and heard. University life can feel lonely sometimes so it’s important you seek support when needed.

Hello! I am Max Robertson. I am a student of chemical engineering at Birmingham. If you have any questions about “What are they: hand cooked crisps”, “The size problem” and “A Beginner’s Guide to Matrices” please feel free to email me at mxr306@student.bham.ac.uk. Thank you for checking out the website and goodluck in your own academic journey!