Meet The Team

Research Fellow

Huan Doan

Huan Doan, a distinguished scholar, brings an impressive academic repertoire to the table. His credentials encompass a BSc and an MSc in Chemical Engineering, earned in 2009 and 2012 respectively, from the Hanoi University of Mining and Geology in Vietnam. Furthering his studies in the UK, he completed an MRes in Sustainable Chemical Technologies at the University of Bath in 2015 and went on to secure a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bristol in 2019.

Huan's research is centred on the development of sustainable synthesis and innovative manufacturing strategies, targeting the production of effective and cost-efficient catalysts for environmental remediation. His primary focus is on the application of nanoporous materials such as metal-organic frameworks, zeolites and functional silicas.

Committed to outreach, Huan has showcased his work through various platforms, such as reaching the semi-finals of the 3-Minute Thesis competition in 2017 at the University of Bristol and presenting his research to MPs at the esteemed STEM for BRITAIN event in 2019. In recognition of his impactful research and contributions to the wider community, Huan received the Inspirational Bristol Scientist Award in 2019 and was given an Honourable Mention at the nationwide Doctoral Researcher Award competition in 2020.

Beyond his professional and academic commitments, Huan has a passion for travel and photography, exploring the world through the lens of his camera.

Research Fellow

Parimal Chandra Bhomick

Meet Parimal Bhomick, a dedicated scholar with an outstanding academic journey. In 2013, he earned his MSc from Nagaland University, India, and continued his educational pursuit to successfully obtain a PhD in Chemistry from the same institution in 2020, working under the esteemed guidance of Prof. Dipak Sinha. Following his academic accomplishments, Parimal assumed the role of an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry, St. Joseph University in Chumoukedima, Nagaland, India. Currently, Parimal serves as a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Bristol, supported by the SIRE-Fellowship provided by the Science and Engineering Research Board, India.

Parimal's research endeavours are centred on the development of efficient and economically feasible porous materials for sustainable applications. His primary area of expertise involves the utilization of bio-based porous carbon materials for environmental remediations. He is currently working on the development, characterization, and testing of nanoporous materials, particularly metal-organic frameworks, for purposes such as hydrogen storage and agrochemical delivery.

With a history of academic excellence, Parimal is the recipient of gold medals in both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Notably, he was granted the prestigious INSPIRE-Fellowship by the Department of Science and Technology, India, which supported his doctoral studies from 2015 to 2020. In 2021, Parimal was honoured with the esteemed STE Young Researcher Award by the Save The Environment Society, recognizing his significant research contributions.

Beyond the confines of academia, Parimal discovers tranquillity in his passion for travel and love for music and poetry.

Research Fellow

Melinda Krebsz

Melinda is a Hydrogen energy specialist, who conducted her PhD work in Ammonia production at Monash University and was a research fellow in Proton Battery at RMIT University. She is currently working as a Research Fellow at ANU and focusing on Hydrogen storage.

She has a broad background in different fields of chemistry and engineering. She has an MSc in Chemical Engineering from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. She has worked in both academic and industrial research groups in Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, and Australia. She is an active member of the Hydrogen energy community and organizing/hosting networking events and conferences in the renewable energy sector. She is currently the Chapter lead of Hydrogen Society of Australia.

In her free time, she likes travelling and discovering the World, she has visited more than 80 countries.

PhD Student

James Griffith

James is an experienced materials scientist with a multidisciplinary research and managerial background. After receiving his MChem from Cardiff University in 2010, James honed his skills within startup ventures, working on novel technologies such as boron-doped diamond water purification and microfluidic vanadium redox flow batteries.

Moving into research infrastructure management in 2016, James spent his time shaping high-performing materials characterisation research platforms at Monash University and the University of Melbourne around customer experience, continuous growth and innovation, and research excellence. This resulted in receiving Monash University's Vice-Provost (Research and Research Infrastructure) Award for Excellence in 2019.

On returning to the UK and with a strong desire to help develop advanced materials for a net-zero future, James began his PhD in 2021. His research is centered on developing crack-resistant polymer composite matrices for cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage, as part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Composites Science, Engineering and Manufacturing at the University of Bristol.

PhD Student

John Worth

John is a promising scholar, having graduated with a first-class degree in chemistry from the University of Leeds. His interest in materials science was piqued during his undergraduate studies, leading him to join the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Composites Science, Engineering, and Manufacturing (CoSEM) at the University of Bristol in 2020. His final year project involved the use of continuous flow processing, offering him valuable experience in the field.

Now, under the supervision of Professors Charl F. J. Faul and Valeska P. Ting, John is undertaking a doctoral research project aimed at developing functional nanocomposites for hydrogen storage applications. His research leverages the properties of conjugated microporous polymers, reflecting his deep commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions.

PhD Student

Megha Sara Jacob

Megha Sara Jacob is a passionate researcher with a strong background in chemistry. She has completed her B.Sc. degree in Chemistry (2018) with university first rank from Mahatma Gandhi University, India and an M.Sc. degree in Chemistry (2020), from Madras Christian College, India. She is currently a PhD student at the Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Australia. Her PhD thesis focuses on alloying anodes for potassium-based dual-ion batteries.

Before starting her PhD, she worked as a research trainee and project associate for over a year in the field of solid-state electrolytes for Li-ion batteries at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), India and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. Her research works from master’s project and research training are published in some of the top journals of RSC and Elsevier.

Along with research, her strong desire for teaching has driven her to do part-time teaching jobs before starting her PhD. In addition, she is a chemistry educator on YouTube (channel- Chemistry Travels) and has uploaded videos on several topics of chemistry at bachelor’s and master’s levels. Currently, during her PhD, she occasionally takes up casual teaching jobs as a lab demonstrator and also conducts online workshops for undergraduate students at the University.

PhD Student

Palash Kumar Dhar

Palash Kumar Dhar is currently pursuing his PhD with the support of the ANU Research Scholarship schemes. His research is primarily focused on the development and characterization of functional nanoporous materials for carbon dioxide capture and hydrogen storage.

Before embarking on PhD journey, Palash earned a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from Khulna University, Bangladesh, in January 2015. He then completed his M.Sc. degree in Chemistry from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh in August 2016. Thereafter, he began his professional career as a Teaching Faculty member in the Chemistry Discipline at Khulna University in January 2017.

Beyond his academic and administrative duties, Palash was deeply engaged in multidisciplinary research addressing both environmental and human health concerns. His research interests span several critical areas, including electrochemical synthesis of organic compounds, health risk assessment of toxic metals, fabrication of nanocomposite materials for water purification, food preservation technologies, and other medical applications such as antibacterial assays, and drug-delivery systems.

Outside of his academic pursuits, Palash has a passion for wildlife photography, drawing, music, and travelling.

Group activities

Alumni

Graduated Students:

Dr Charlie Brewster (PhD - primary supervisor, 2020-2024, University of Bristol

Dr Gianni Comandini (PhD - primary supervisor, 2019-2023, University of Bristol)

Dr Anna (Dankun) Yang (PhD - primary supervisor, 2019-2023, University of Bristol)

Dr Chiara Petrillo (PhD – primary supervisor, 2018-2022, University of Bristol)
Dr Bingqing Yao (PhD - secondary supervisor, 2016-2020, NUS, Singapore)
Dr Huan Doan (PhD – primary supervisor, 2015-2019, University of Bristol)
Dr Jemma Rowlandson (PhD - primary supervisor, 2013-2018, University of Bristol)
Dr Caterina Palange (EngD - secondary supervisor, 2017-2020, University of Bristol)
Dr Manu Mulakkal (PhD - secondary supervisor, 2013-2018, University of Bristol)
Dr Laura Beckett (PhD - secondary supervisor, 2013-2018, University of Bristol)
Dr Peter Duckworth (PhD - secondary supervisor, 2012-2017, University of Bristol)
Dr Jonathan Wagner (PhD - primary supervisor, 2012-2016, University of Bath)
Dr Antonio Noguera (PhD - secondary supervisor, 2012-2016, University of Bath)
Dr Jessica Bristow (PhD - secondary supervisor, 2013-2016, University of Bath)

Postdocs:

Dr Lui Terry (2019-2025, University of Bristol)

Dr Prasanth Karikkethu Prabhakaran (2018-2021, University of Bristol)
Dr Jemma Rowlandson (2019-2020, University of Bristol)
Dr Harina Amer Hamzah (2018-2020, University of Bristol)
Dr Kris LeVay (2017, University of Bristol)
Dr Mi Tian (2015-2017, University of Bath)
Dr Rhodri Jenkins (2015, University of Bath)
Dr Dominic Wales (2014-2015, University of Bath)