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Michael is a PhD candidate split between the University of Surrey and the University of Aberdeen, investigating the land sparing potential of vertical farming for supporting bioenergy with carbon capture storage deployment.

Prior to his PhD, Michael worked as a research analyst at LCAworks, performing lifecycle assessments.

Collette is responsible for identifying the soft skills the SHARE Network wants to develop and subsequently organising training workshops and events. Currently, Collette is a PhD researcher at the University of Edinburgh within the Institute of Materials and Processes. In partnership with Repsol, Collette’s research focuses on decarbonising transport through designing, developing, and testing hollow fibre-based adsorption systems for on-board carbon capture.

Before starting her PhD, Collette worked at Arup as a Graduate Fire Engineer, co-ordinating with a multidisciplinary engineering design team to develop fire strategies for projects across a range of sectors.

Dan is currently a PhD Researcher at the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute, based at Aston University. His research focuses on the political economy of using biomass to achieve net zero, exploring the non-technical factors that impact the design of biomass policy, and subsequent effects on the success of biomass use in displacing fossil fuel use. Prior to this, Dan worked as the Stakeholder Engagement Manager for the Supergen Bioenergy Hub. Dan is currently Programme Co-Chair for the SHARE Committee.

Dan is the SHARE committee Media and Engagement Lead. Currently he is a research student at the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute, Aston University working on the project “The Future of Forests in Sub-Sahara Africa”. He is focusing on geospatial-based methods for developing sustainable forest management models to improve forests (density, carbon stocks, health, economic value, etc), contribute to climate change mitigation targets and sustain forest biomass-based energy security.

Akshay holds the position of Programme Co-Chair for the SHARE Network. Additionally, he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Glasgow, focusing on the creation of hydrogen through a process known as BECCUS (bioenergy with carbon capture, utilisation and storage). His academic journey includes an MSc in Engineering and Management from the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow. During this programme, he had the opportunity to engage in practical fieldwork in Penang, Malaysia, where he gained insights into methodologies for shaping policies.

With over seven years of experience, Akshay has been actively involved in the pursuit of environmentally friendly energy and transportation systems that aim to reduce emissions. He also briefly took on the role of Project Manager for a university-led feasibility study, which aimed to develop a comprehensive renewable energy solution for an island community.

In addition to his academic and professional pursuits, Akshay is working on a business venture (WasteReset) focused on CO2 capture, both before and after combustion processes. His diverse experiences and expertise reflect his commitment to a sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

Ryan is a DTP funded PhD candidate at the University of Leeds, School of Chemical and Process Engineering. He is a member of a bioenergy research group investigating energy and resource recovery from aquatic plants. Ryan’s educational background is in Mechanical Engineering (BEng) and Energy & Environment (MSc). Prior to his PhD, Ryan worked as a research assistant at the University of Leeds, working on international collaborative sustainability projects.

Research Interests:
Ryan’s PhD research investigates the valorisation of invasive aquatic plants as a sustainable feedstock for bioenergy and bioproducts. With a particular focus on water hyacinth and sargassum, the study looks at how these problematic species can be most suitably utilised in an integrated biorefinery in the regions impacted by their presence.
Ryan is interested in both biochemical and thermochemical conversion of biomass to produce bioenergy, whilst considering the circularity of all process products. His research will combine experimental methods with process systems design to develop scalable and sustainable biorefinery concepts.

Sasha is a PhD student based in the chemical engineering department at Imperial College London, focusing on biomass refinery utilising ionic liquids for materials and platform chemicals. She is currently focusing on the production of levoglucosan from cellulose using ionic liquids.

Pranesh holds a Master of Science degree in Civil and Geoenvironmental Engineering from Cardiff University. Currently, he is a doctoral researcher at Loughborough University – Water Engineering and Development Center Group; focusing on unlocking the potential of high lignocellulosic biomass to generate renewable energy through anaerobic digestion. Pranesh’s research also involves the use of novel microbubble plasma pretreatment technology to enhance the biogas production. He is passionate about developing innovative and sustainable methods for harnessing biomass’s energy potential, contributing to the transition to a greener future, and combining engineering principles with environmental awareness to address global challenges such as energy security and climate change, ultimately achieving the net zero target.

Mpho is the SHARE ambassador for Aston University and currently a PhD researcher based at the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institution at Aston. She is working on assessing the potential for bioenergy production from the thermal conversion of an invasive species in Botswana, through combining experimental and modelling approaches. She hopes her research would be used to advise policy makers and industrialists, mainly in developing countries on the economic feasibility of related technologies and the policy framework that would promote their development.

Robbie is the SHARE ambassador for the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Based within the department of chemical and process engineering, his doctoral research focuses on the valorisation of wet biomass wastes via supercritical water gasification. He hopes to progress this novel technology by exploring themes such as CO2 utilisation, kinetic modelling, and process simulations.