Research Interests

I am a materials and environmental scientist specialising in the experimental characterisation and modelling of porous materials, with a strong focus on nuclear graphite and its role in reactor safety, performance, and sustainability. My expertise lies in coupling advanced experimental techniques (e.g. mercury porosimetry, helium pycnometry, gas adsorption, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, image analysis) with computational modelling to reveal how microstructure governs permeability, diffusion, and fluid flow across complex porous networks.

My work has directly informed the UK Nuclear Safety Case for the Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) fleet, supporting life-extension decisions through detailed understanding of irradiated graphite behaviour. I have secured and delivered industry-funded projects with EDF Energy and international partners, spanning nuclear fuel pellets, shale gas reservoirs, advanced concrete composites, mineral-insulated cables, and recycled materials.

I am currently a Co-Investigator on ENLIGHT, a £13M programme grant, which will extend the UK’s expertise from AGRs to Generation IV Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs). This project adopts a full lifecycle approach, encompassing graphite selection and performance, as well as waste management, to ensure the safe and timely deployment of new reactor technologies in the 2030s. We will achieve this through collaborative research in challenging areas such as Graphite Selection & Core Design (GS&CD), Graphite Performance (GP) and Waste Management (WM).

Through my role as Facilities Director for the Radioisotope and Advanced Materials Suite (RAMS), I lead the integration of cutting-edge laboratory capability with high-performance modelling, positioning Plymouth as a unique national hub for analysing radioactive advanced materials.

Grant Funding

ENLIGHT (EPSRC £13M (£8M + £5M industrial in-kind, 2025–2030, Co-Investigator): Graphite lifecycle research for Advanced Modular Reactors

Innovate UK PROWASTE (£225k, 2024–2026, Co-I): Developing scalable remanufacturing processes for waste volatile anaesthetics.

EDF Energy (£280k, PI): Computational modelling of porosity, permeability, and diffusive properties of AGR nuclear graphite.

EDF Energy (£70k, PI): Effects of irradiation and radiolytic oxidation on pore networks in nuclear graphite.

PoreXpert & YPF (£60k, Co-PI): Porosity and fluid-flow characterisation of Vaca Muerta shale.

CDORE (£5k, Co-PI): Development of fire-resistant graphene-oxide concrete.

Experience
2025 - Present - Facilities Director for RAMs (Radioisotope and Advanced Materials Suite) - University of Plymouth
2025 - Present - Deputy RPS for University campus - University of Plymouth
2022 - 2025 - Co-Facilities Director for CoRIF  (Consolidated Radioisotope Facility) - University of Plymouth.
2021 - Present - Lecturer in Environmental Chemistry - University of Plymouth.
2019 - 2021 -  Post-Doctoral Research Fellow - University of Plymouth.
2017 - 2019 - Environmental Research Consultant - PoreXpert Ltd. 
2013 - 2018 Customer Support and Laboratory Manager - PoreXpert Ltd 

Additional training: 

• Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS)
• ISO9001 Trained Auditor

I teach across Chemistry and Environmental Science programmes, from foundation to master’s level, with a focus on analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, and advanced materials. My teaching blends cutting-edge research with hands-on learning, giving students practical experience in state-of-the-art techniques while exploring real-world challenges such as pollution, sustainability, and nuclear materials. I also supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, supporting the next generation of scientists.