ETC experts

Dr Lorna Anguilano Lorna Anguilano is a Senior Research Fellow, Quality Manager of the Experimental Techniques Centre and the Assistant Director of the Wolfson Centre for Sustainable materials development and Processing. Lorna’s background is in applied mineralogy with a PhD in Archaeometallurgy and a wide experience of material characterisation through X-Ray Diffraction, X-Ray Fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electron Back-Scattering Diffraction. She provides consultancy in material characterisation and failure’s diagnosis as well as actively generates and develops research in materials characterisation and development. Her research focuses on the overarching concept of upcycling waste and recovery of secondary raw material with a keen interest on metal and polymer recycling for energy and aquaculture applications and phytomining of critical raw materials. Lorna is also continuing her research in the archaometallurgical field. Lorna’s research interests are focused on the upcycling of waste and contaminants for the manufacturing of high value product particularly for the energy and food industry. In collaboration with industrial partners Lorna’s activities is directed at identifying low energy routes for the manufacturing of composites and nanoparticles from materials such as aluminium swarfs, metal contaminants in soils, recycled plastic. Utilising the characterisation techniques optimised manufacturing conditions are developed and materials with unique characteristics are generated. In parallel Lorna carries out archaeometallurgical studies to understand the socio-economic factors driving the technological changes in the past. Material characterisation; X-Ray Diffraction; Electron Back-Scattering Diffraction; metal matrix composites; polymer composites; basalt fibres; soil contamination; phytomining; archaeometallurgy

Dr Sophia Haghani Sophia Haghani is a chartered scientist and deputy Quality Manager of the Experimental Techniques Centre. She has extensive experience in material characterisation through X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and X-Ray Fluorescence. She provides consultancy in material characterisation and material development. She is also a fellow of Higher Education Academy, with teaching experience in material charactrisation technques, water infrustructures and sea level change. Selected publications Haghani, S. and Leroy, S., 2020. Recent avulsion history of Sefidrud, south west of the Caspian Sea. Quaternary International 540, 97-110. Haghani, S., Leroy, S., Khdir, S., Kabiri, K., Naderi Beni, M., Lahijani, H.A.K., 2016. An early Little Ice Age brackish water invasion along the south coast of the Caspian Sea (sediment of Langarud wetland) and its wider impacts on environment and people. The Holocene 26 (1), 3-16. Haghani, S., Leroy, S., Wesselingh, F., Rose, N., 2016. Rapid evolution of coastal lagoons in response to human interference under rapid sea level change: A south Caspian Sea case study, Quaternary International 408, 93-112. Haghani, S. and Leroy, S., 2016. Differential impact of long-shore currents on coastal geomorphology development in the context of rapid sea level changes: the case of the Old Sefidrud (Caspian Sea), Quaternary International 408, 78-92. Akinlotan, O., Moghalu, O.A., Hatter, S.J., Okunuwadje, S., Anquilano, L., Onwukwe, U., Haghani, S., Anyiam, O.A., Jolly, B.A., 2022. Clay mineral formation and transformation in non-marine environments and implications for Early Cretaceous palaeoclimatic evolution: The Weald Basin, Southeast England. Journal of Palaeogeography 11(3), 387-409. Lahijani, H.A.K, Abbasian, H., Naderi-Beni, A., Leroy, S., Haghani, S., Habibi, P., Hosseindust, M., Shahkarami, S.,Yeganeh, S., Zandinasab, Z., Tavakoli, V., Vahabi-Asli, F., Azizpour, J., Sayed-Valizadeh, M., Pourkerman, M.,Shah-Hosseini, M., 2019. Sediment distribution pattern of the South Caspian Sea: possible hydroclimatic implications. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 56(6), 637.653. Leroy, S., Chalié, F., Wesselingh, F.P., Sanjani, M.S., Lahijani, H.A.K., Athersuch, J., Struck, U., Plunkett, G., Reimer, P.J., Habibi, P., Haghani, S., Naderi Beni, A.,Arpe, K., 2018 Jan. 2016. Multi-proxy indicators in a quasi-marine system: a depth transect of surface sediment in the S-E Caspian Sea. Geologica Belgica 21(3-4), 143-165. Bison, G., Pozzan, L., Haghani, S., Anguilano, L., 2017. Metalworking Evidence from a Late antique Context in the Forum of Grumentum. Science and Technology of Archaeological Research 3), 220- 237. Leroy, S.A.G., Lahijani, H.A.K., Reyss, J. L., Chalie, F., Haghani, S., Shah-Hosseini, M., Shahkarami, S., Tudryn, A., Arpe, K., Habibi, P., Nasrollahzadeh, H.S., Makhlough, A., 2013. A two-step expansion of the dinocyst Lingulodinium machaerophorum in the Caspian Sea: the role of changing environment. Quaternary Science Reviews 77, 31-45. Leroy, S. A. G., Lahijani, H. A. K., Reyss, J. L., Chalié, F., Haghani, S., Shah-Hosseini, M., Shahkarami, S., Tudryn, A., Arpe, K., Habibi, P. and Nasrollahzadeh, H. S., 2012. Lingulodinium machaerophorum expansion over the last centuries in the Caspian Sea reflects global warming. Biogeosciences Discussions, 9(11), 16663-16704.

Mr Nicholas Nelson

Dr Ashley Howkins Dr. Ashley Howkins is the Lead Scientific Officer within the Experimental Techniques Centre, and leads the team of Scientific Officers to provide materials characterisation on various different samples and using various different techniques. Ashley's own speciality is electron microscopy and analysis, including SEM, (S)TEM, FIB, EDX, EELS, cathodoluminescence, electron diffraction and EBSD. Ashley is also a member of the BSI Microanalysis subcommittee, responsible for the development of ISO standards in electron microscopy; an UKAS Technical Assessor for accredited electron microscope facilities; and member of the Royal Microscopical Society.

Dr Myles Worsley Myles Worsley is a materials scientist working within the Experimental Techniques Centre (ETC). In this role he uses his expertise as a chemist to assist in the characterisation of materials across a variety of academic and industrial research projects, from running samples to providing training for researchers to operate instrumentation themselves. He has extensive experience in a wide range of techniques, in particular optical spectroscopy (UV-vis, FTIR, Raman and fluorescence), scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Qualifications include a BSc (Chemistry) and MRes (Physical Chemistry) from the University of Surrey, plus a PhD (Nanostructured Materials) from Brunel University London. Additionally, he is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Before joining ETC in 2022 he worked on a variety of postdoctoral research projects in the UK and Netherlands, in areas including inorganic nanostructured materials, luminescence, heterogeneous catalysis and electrochemistry. Further information can be found on Myles' LinkedIn profile here.

Dr Uche Onwukwe Uche is a researcher with a background in Materials Science and a PhD in biomimetics towards the green synthesis of functional materials. They have extensive experience in the use of various characterisation techniques including electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), various spectroscopic techniques (Raman, FTIR, UV-VIS-NIR) , a range of X-Ray techniques (XRF, XRD) and an understanding of the use of different thermal techniques. Their research interests lies in nanomaterials synthesis and characterisation, biomimetics and presently in circular economy - specifically phytomining and hyperaccumulators. Uche has a wide range of interest which include biomimetics, nanomaterials synthesis and characterisation, catalysis, phytomining, microplastic investigation. Uche is presently involved in several projects within the realm of circular economy and how living organisms can be utilised as a green approach to reducing waste while be used as alternative means to synthesise high value materials. At heart, they are a true material scientist that hopes to use their expertise to collaborate on multidisciplinary and intersectional projects. Introduction of Mass Spectrometry Level: PostgraduateDate:Commensing in 2023

Dr Wayne Lam Wayne graduated in Materials Engineering from the University of Bath and went on to complete an MSc in Environmental Science. He worked for the International Tin Research Institute for over 20 years, during which time he completed a PhD in tin alloy coatings. As part of the Institute's evolution, Wayne oversaw the laboratory group's commercial testing activities, working on over 10,000 consultancy contracts and authored over 2,000 technical reports. In Jan 2023, Wayne joined the Experimental Techniques Centre at Brunel University as its Business Operations Manager.