Meet Our Team
Welcome to the Exploring New Possibilities team page!
This years team is truly interdisciplinary. We are excited to be able to blend our unique skills in bringing you this years Doctoral College Conference.
We would also like to express our gratitude to Emma Francis for supporting us throughout this conference.

Engineering and Physical Sciences
Jing Li
I am Jing Li, and I am from the faculty of Chemical & Process Engineering. My main work focuses on electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells. My research bridges chemistry, energy, and industry to produce power. I would like to lead my research towards new possibilities into environmental protection, air pollution, and new clean energy to produce hydrogen.

Physics and Electrical Engineering
Veronika Zelyk
I’m a first year PhD student at the Advanced Technology Institute. My research involves developing novel single-electron transistors (SET), along with improving current field-effect transistors (FET). My masters inspired me to continue my research career in the field of nanotechnology and quantum physics.
I enjoy working with children, getting involved in local volunteering schemes, and spending time with friends and family.

Arts and Social Sciences
Ijeoma Victor-Oguamalam
I am a second-year Management and Business research student at the Surrey Business School. I am passionate about exploring novel possibilities around Digital Business Models and digitalisation strategies like Blockchain and Digital Platforms. My research intends to investigate the digitalisation of neglected manufacturing enterprises, particularly in developing countries.
I enjoy reading, fitness, learning new things, and spending quality time with family and friends

Electronics and Physical Sciences
Rucchi Ryan
I am a first year PhD student at the Advanced Technology Institute. I am looking at how to utilize cost effective nano particles to enhance radiation and study the biological effects on the tumour micro-environment. My research is a mix between radiation physics and molecular biology. My goal is to improve radiation therapy and make it more cost effective so that it can be more accessible to cancer patients.
Apart from my research, I enjoy tutoring, cooking, watching shows, reading trekking and spending time with my friends.

Surrey Institute of Education
Beyza Ucar
I am a second year PGR at Surrey Institute of Education. My area of research lies in Educational Technologies and Teacher Education. I achieved an associate degree in Computer Programing at Duzce University in 2008 followed by a BSc and MSc in Computer Education and Instructional Technologies at Hacettepe University. I worked as an Educational Technologist at Ari, one of the top private schools in Turkey. My PhD study examines the use of online scaffolding in teaching argumentation skills (something which you may agree is very necessary in the current climate) within a teacher education context.

Faculty of Medical Health Sciences
Beth Jones
I’m a PhD student based in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Surrey. My current research aims to explore anxiety and anxious behaviours in rare genetic disorders. I would like my research to help guide better understanding and help drive more appropriate assessments of anxiety.
Outside of work I love musicals, cooking, and exploring coffee shops!

Arts and Social Sciences
Estrela Antonio
I am a doctoral researcher at the Department of Business Transformation, Surrey Business School. My research focuses on how the underprivileged population, notably women, seek to broaden understanding of how development minerals serve as a catalyst for development in sub-Saharan Africa.
Using Angola as a case study, my research highlights how households headed by women are navigating poverty and poor working conditions through harnessing development mineral aggregates.

Electronics and Physical Science
Pierre Couture
I am a research fellow at the Surrey Ion Beam Center. I characterise and modify nanomaterials using ion beam accelerator technology. My research builds bridges between multiple disciplines.
I would like to lead my research towards new possibilities of combining my research on nanomaterials with cultural heritage, environmental science, air quality, cosmology, and space industry. I enjoy cycling, walking, exploring, board games, and movies.

Arts and Social Sciences
Toyosi Phillips
I am a second year Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) at Surrey Business School at the Department of International Business and Strategy. My research is based on multinationals internationalizing into emerging economies i.e. Africa. Outside my research, I enjoy cooking. For me, 'Exploring New Possibilities' reflects on the future of my research - I would love to see my research used by different industries across the world from Artificial intelligence (AI) companies to fintech companies that want to do business in emerging economies.

Engineering and Physical Sciences
Chia Sadik
I am a PhD candidate at the Centre for Infrastructure Systems Engineering (CISE) at the University of Surrey.
My main research interest is in modelling natural hazard disruptions in a transport system, with an aim to understand the impacts of a changing climate on the economy.

Engineering and Physical Sciences
Yi Gong
I am a PGR student from the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI). My research work focuses on the fabrication of mesh sensor devices for battery health monitoring. As the accidents of batteries related to fires and explosions occur more often, a more accurate monitoring method in the battery pack is urgently needed. The aim of my research work is to prepare a multifunctional sensor device and implant it into the battery to achieve non-invasive monitoring of safety issues.
I would like to lead my research towards new possibilities into wearable flexible electronics, neural nanobioelectronic, intracellular recording