Postgraduate students

Post-graduate researchers

Name	Position	Research area
Soner Bilyaz	PhD Researcher	Soner joined the research group in April 2024, and is working on the aeroacoustic Design and Optimisation of Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) propulsion systems. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in 2019 from the Middle East Technical University (METU) Mechanical Engineering Department, and his Master's Degree in 2023 from the METU Aerospace Engineering Department. He mostly studies propulsor-airframe integration topics and also has some experience in experimental fluid mechanics and test bench preparation. In addition to this, he worked in industry for two years. Research interests include: Computational Aeroacoustics Design and Optimization of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) propulsion systems for higher aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance Experimental Fluid Mechanics and Flow Measurement Techniques Computational Fluid Dynamics Boundary Layer Ingested Propulsion Systems Turbomachinery and Propeller Design&Analysis Project title: eVTOLUTION (eVTOL mUlti-fideliTy hybrid desIgn and Optimization for low Noise and high aerodynamic performance)
John Branch	PhD Researcher	John joined the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics research group in November 2019 to work on aerofoil self-noise and their prediction. Project title: Aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of aerofoils at high angles of attack.
Fachrurrazi Burhanuddin	PhD Researcher	Fachrurrazi graduated from the Indonesian Civil Aviation Institute with a degree in Aircraft Engineering in 2012. Following his graduation, Fachrurrazi began working at the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, where he have been employed to date. In 2019, He pursued further studies at Cranfield University, earning an MSc in Thermal Power with a specialization in Gas Turbine Technology. In February 2023, Fachrurrazi continued his doctoral studies at the University of Bristol in Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics Research Group. Fachrurrazi’s research primarily focuses on the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of ducted propellers in Urban Air Mobility applications. Specifically, He utilize experimental methods to investigate these areas. Fachrurrazi is involved in developing innovative approaches for reducing noise and enhancing aerodynamic performance in ducted propellers. Research interests include: Aerodynamic performance of ducted propellers Aeroacoustic noise reduction techniques for urban air mobility Research projects include: Aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance of ducted propellers Noise mitigation strategies for urban air mobility vehicles Experimental studies of ducted propeller configurations Development and optimization of experimental setups for aeroacoustic analysis
Liam Cook	PhD Researcher	Liam joined the Fluid and Aerodynamics Research Group in 2025 after completing his Master in Physics in Physics (MPhys) degree. Research interests: Experimentally characterising the flow field and pollution dispersion in urban settings Urban modelling
Matheus Rocha Marques De Almeida	PhD Researcher	Matheus joined the University of Bristol in April 2024. He obtained a BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 2021 and 2024, respectively, where he was funded by Shell company. His research primarily focused on turbulent flows and heat transfer in closed cavities and scalar dispersion using CFD tools as OpenFOAM and Fluent. During his MSc, he developed a new methodology to obtain the transverse dispersion coefficient from porous media in pore-scale modelled by PNM approach. His research is funded by the Horizon Europe MODELAIR project (Marie-Curie Doctoral Network fellowship), he specialises in wind tunnel experimental methods, atmospheric and turbulent boundary layer flows, fluid mechanics and their applications. Matheus' main interests include: experimental fluid mechanics CFD air pollution scalar dispersion turbulent flow heat transfer
Forrest Han	PhD Researcher	Forrest has been a PhD student in the aeroacoustics research group since September 2023, following his MEng degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol. Forrest’s research mainly focuses on the aeroacoustic and aerodynamic characteristics of Distributed Electric Propulsion vehicles through experimental and numerical approaches. As a part of the INDIGO EU Project, he is currently working on a set of experimental aerodynamic and noise emission measurements to help validate the numerical results from project partners, as well as examining advanced noise reduction techniques to better understand and improve the effectiveness and robustness of these methods. Research interests include: Experimental aeroacoustic and aerodynamic characteristics of various Distributed Electric Propulsion configurations Advanced passive and active noise reduction technologies for multiple-propeller configurations Numerical modelling of aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of propellers
Liam Hanson	PhD Researcher	Liam joined the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research group as a PhD student in 2020 after completing his MEng in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol. Research interests include: Performance of modern propellers in the context of “Future Flight” configurations Noise mitigation strategies using surface treatments Use of Microelectrical-Mechanical System (MEMS) microphones in aeroacoustic measurements Project title: Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics of Novel Propellers.
Luis Fernando Lopes De Moraes Filho	PhD Researcher	Luis Fernando joined the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research group as a PhD student in September 2023 after a 12-year experience as Product Development Engineer at Embraer - Brazil. He completes his MEng in Aeronautical Engineering at Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA - Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica - SP/Brazil). Research interests include: Employ mixed-fidelity numerical tools to evaluate single and distributed electric propulsion (DEP) systems noise generation and porpagation Elucidate further the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of DEP configurations with simulations in a close couple with experiments Explore advanced data-driven methods on multi-fidelity models
Phelim McNally	PhD Researcher	Phelim is collaborating with, and funded by, the National University of Singapore on his PhD. Phelim’s projects focus on applying active and passive flow control techniques. He is using computational and experimental methods to develop test rigs, aiming to advance the fundamental understanding of these methods and the practical implementation of flow control technologies in aviation and motorsport. Phelim has also contributed to several industry projects within the research group, including collaborations with Cadillac Formula 1® Team and National Grid®. Previously Phelim studied at the University of Glasgow and was awarded an MEng in Aeronautical Engineering in 2024. Research Interests: Co Flow Jet VTOL / EVTOL Low Reynolds / Martian Flight Laminar / Natural Laminar Flow Control Multi Element Wings Motorsport Dynamics and Aerodynamics Project Title: Experimental Flow Control Techniques for Aircraft
Shaiful Hakim Bin Mohamed Noor	PhD Researcher	Hakim's recent research primarily concentrates on surface treatment in non-equilibrium turbulent boundary layers in a wind tunnel, using particle image velocimetry (PIV), with a specific focus on vortex generators. His responsibilities include designing, fabricating, and installing experimental setups, data collection and programming for post-processing and conducting streamwise and spanwise airflow measurements in wind tunnels. Research interests include: Aerofoil, Helicopter Rotor, Vortex Generator and Aerodynamics structures designs Thermal machinery, Combustion dan Propulsion system Hydrodynamics Academic Background: Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie (Diploma) in Energy and Thermal Engineering, Université Blaise Pascal, France, 2006. Licence Professionnelle (Bachelor) in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Université Paris Est, France, 2007. Maîtrise (MEng) in Energy, and Aerospace and Terrestrial Propulsion, Université Paris 10, France, 2009. Master Recherche (MSc) in Aerospace Propulsion and Energy Engineering, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense, France, 2010. Aerospace Control System Engineering (AIRBUS off-set specialized program) ISAE-SUPAERO, France, 2017
Shaun Pullin	PhD Researcher	Shaun's research area is primarily focused on the development of numerical methods for the aerodynamic and acoustic modelling of propellers, distributed propulsion systems and propulsor-vehicle integration. Shaun graduated from the University of Bristol in 2020 with a MEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering. He then began a PhD at the University of Bristol in 2021, with a project focused on the modelling of aerodynamics and acoustics of distributed propulsion systems. Research interests include: Development of computationally efficient simulation tools to quickly predict the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of propeller-based propulsion systems. Optimization of propeller blade design, operation and installation using adjoint-based methodologies. Acceleration of computational methods by exploiting GPU hardware. High-fidelity, scale-resolving propeller simulations using LES, from grid generation to result post-processing. Development of physics-informed machine learning methods to improve both the design space and time-to-solution of computational tools.
Charlie Sharp	PhD Researcher	Charlie began his PhD with the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research group, in partnership and funded by Safran Landing Systems, in September 2024 after completing his MSc in Aerospace Engineering graduating from the University of Bristol. Charlie’s research primarily focuses on the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of vortex shedding with a focus on mitigation through the use of permeable materials for noise reduction purposes. Research interests include: Vortex dynamics Transition flow Passive noise control Porous media Experimental aerodynamic test methods
Nada Taouil	Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher	Nada joined the University of Bristol in September 2023. She obtained a BSc in Aeronautical Engineering from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2018 and an MSc in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Glasgow in 2023. Her research primarily focuses on optimisation methods and their applications in aerodynamics, atmospheric boundary layer flows, and turbulent flows. Additionally, she specialises in wind tunnel experimental methods and their applications in wall-bounded flows and fluid mechanics.   Research interests include: Optimisation methods and their applications in aerodynamics  Experimental fluid mechanics and aerodynamics  Atmospheric and turbulent boundary layer flows  Scalar dispersion and turbulent mixing   Air pollution.   Project title: Experimental measurements to study the influence of the pollutant release.
Leo Trascinelli	PhD Researcher	Leo's research mainly focuses on numerical simulations of turbulence interaction with propellers and airfoils and their noise characteristics. Leo earned a MEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Bristol in 2017. He then started his PhD, remaining at the University of Bristol and is using the unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics solver SIMULIA PowerFLOW to simulate cylinder-induced propeller turbulence ingestion, propeller installation effects, and turbulence impingement on airfoils. Noise characterisation and understanding of noise generation mechanisms with applications in Urban Air Mobility aircraft is the main focus of Leo's research. Research interests include: Computational aeroacoustics - noise source identification Computational fluid dynamics of propellers CFD aided flow visualisation Research projects include: Large and small scale cylinder-induced turbulence ingestion in forward flight propellers Aeroacoustics of propeller installation effects in the vicinity of a wing Fundamental analysis of grid-generated turbulence distortion
Christopher Yi	PhD Researcher	Chris joined the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research group as a PhD student in 2022 after completing his MEng degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol. His research interests are: Experimental characterisation of tandem-rotor aeroacoustics at high subsonic tip Mach number (M ~= 0.5) Aerodynamic performance and flow-field measurements of tandem-rotor in non-axial inflow Noise mitigation using blade-level features, porous materials, and system-level optimisation Project title: Multi-rotor Aerodynamics and Noise for Next-Generation Propulsion.

Name

Position

Research area

Soner Bilyaz

PhD Researcher

Soner joined the research group in April 2024, and is working on the aeroacoustic Design and Optimisation of Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) propulsion systems. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in 2019 from the Middle East Technical University (METU) Mechanical Engineering Department, and his Master's Degree in 2023 from the METU Aerospace Engineering Department. He mostly studies propulsor-airframe integration topics and also has some experience in experimental fluid mechanics and test bench preparation. In addition to this, he worked in industry for two years.

Research interests include:

Computational Aeroacoustics
Design and Optimization of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) propulsion systems for higher aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance
Experimental Fluid Mechanics and Flow Measurement Techniques
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Boundary Layer Ingested Propulsion Systems
Turbomachinery and Propeller Design&Analysis

Project title: eVTOLUTION (eVTOL mUlti-fideliTy hybrid desIgn and Optimization for low Noise and high aerodynamic performance)

John Branch

PhD Researcher

John joined the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics research group in November 2019 to work on aerofoil self-noise and their prediction.

Project title: Aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of aerofoils at high angles of attack.

Fachrurrazi Burhanuddin

PhD Researcher

Fachrurrazi graduated from the Indonesian Civil Aviation Institute with a degree in Aircraft Engineering in 2012. Following his graduation, Fachrurrazi began working at the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, where he have been employed to date. In 2019, He pursued further studies at Cranfield University, earning an MSc in Thermal Power with a specialization in Gas Turbine Technology. In February 2023, Fachrurrazi continued his doctoral studies at the University of Bristol in Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics Research Group.

Fachrurrazi’s research primarily focuses on the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of ducted propellers in Urban Air Mobility applications. Specifically, He utilize experimental methods to investigate these areas. Fachrurrazi is involved in developing innovative approaches for reducing noise and enhancing aerodynamic performance in ducted propellers.

Research interests include:

Aerodynamic performance of ducted propellers
Aeroacoustic noise reduction techniques for urban air mobility

Research projects include:

Aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance of ducted propellers
Noise mitigation strategies for urban air mobility vehicles
Experimental studies of ducted propeller configurations
Development and optimization of experimental setups for aeroacoustic analysis

Liam Cook

PhD Researcher

Liam joined the Fluid and Aerodynamics Research Group in 2025 after completing his Master in Physics in Physics (MPhys) degree.

Research interests:

Experimentally characterising the flow field and pollution dispersion in urban settings
Urban modelling

Matheus Rocha Marques De Almeida

PhD Researcher

Matheus joined the University of Bristol in April 2024. He obtained a BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 2021 and 2024, respectively, where he was funded by Shell company. His research primarily focused on turbulent flows and heat transfer in closed cavities and scalar dispersion using CFD tools as OpenFOAM and Fluent. During his MSc, he developed a new methodology to obtain the transverse dispersion coefficient from porous media in pore-scale modelled by PNM approach.

His research is funded by the Horizon Europe MODELAIR project (Marie-Curie Doctoral Network fellowship), he specialises in wind tunnel experimental methods, atmospheric and turbulent boundary layer flows, fluid mechanics and their applications.

Matheus' main interests include:

experimental fluid mechanics
CFD
air pollution
scalar dispersion
turbulent flow
heat transfer

Forrest Han

PhD Researcher

Forrest has been a PhD student in the aeroacoustics research group since September 2023, following his MEng degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol. Forrest’s research mainly focuses on the aeroacoustic and aerodynamic characteristics of Distributed Electric Propulsion vehicles through experimental and numerical approaches. As a part of the INDIGO EU Project, he is currently working on a set of experimental aerodynamic and noise emission measurements to help validate the numerical results from project partners, as well as examining advanced noise reduction techniques to better understand and improve the effectiveness and robustness of these methods.

Research interests include:

Experimental aeroacoustic and aerodynamic characteristics of various Distributed Electric Propulsion configurations
Advanced passive and active noise reduction technologies for multiple-propeller configurations
Numerical modelling of aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of propellers

Liam Hanson

PhD Researcher

Liam joined the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research group as a PhD student in 2020 after completing his MEng in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol.

Research interests include:

Performance of modern propellers in the context of “Future Flight” configurations
Noise mitigation strategies using surface treatments
Use of Microelectrical-Mechanical System (MEMS) microphones in aeroacoustic measurements

Project title: Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics of Novel Propellers.

Luis Fernando Lopes De Moraes Filho

PhD Researcher

Luis Fernando joined the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research group as a PhD student in September 2023 after a 12-year experience as Product Development Engineer at Embraer - Brazil. He completes his MEng in Aeronautical Engineering at Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA - Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica - SP/Brazil).

Research interests include:

Employ mixed-fidelity numerical tools to evaluate single and distributed electric propulsion (DEP) systems noise generation and porpagation
Elucidate further the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of DEP configurations with simulations in a close couple with experiments
Explore advanced data-driven methods on multi-fidelity models

Phelim McNally

PhD Researcher

Phelim is collaborating with, and funded by, the National University of Singapore on his PhD. Phelim’s projects focus on applying active and passive flow control techniques. He is using computational and experimental methods to develop test rigs, aiming to advance the fundamental understanding of these methods and the practical implementation of flow control technologies in aviation and motorsport. Phelim has also contributed to several industry projects within the research group, including collaborations with Cadillac Formula 1® Team and National Grid®.

Previously Phelim studied at the University of Glasgow and was awarded an MEng in Aeronautical Engineering in 2024.

Research Interests:

Co Flow Jet
VTOL / EVTOL
Low Reynolds / Martian Flight
Laminar / Natural Laminar Flow Control
Multi Element Wings
Motorsport Dynamics and Aerodynamics

Project Title: Experimental Flow Control Techniques for Aircraft

Shaiful Hakim Bin Mohamed Noor

PhD Researcher

Hakim's recent research primarily concentrates on surface treatment in non-equilibrium turbulent boundary layers in a wind tunnel, using particle image velocimetry (PIV), with a specific focus on vortex generators. His responsibilities include designing, fabricating, and installing experimental setups, data collection and programming for post-processing and conducting streamwise and spanwise airflow measurements in wind tunnels.

Research interests include:

Aerofoil, Helicopter Rotor, Vortex Generator and Aerodynamics structures designs
Thermal machinery, Combustion dan Propulsion system
Hydrodynamics

Academic Background:

Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie (Diploma) in Energy and Thermal Engineering, Université Blaise Pascal, France, 2006.
Licence Professionnelle (Bachelor) in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Université Paris Est, France, 2007.
Maîtrise (MEng) in Energy, and Aerospace and Terrestrial Propulsion, Université Paris 10, France, 2009.
Master Recherche (MSc) in Aerospace Propulsion and Energy Engineering, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense, France, 2010.
Aerospace Control System Engineering (AIRBUS off-set specialized program) ISAE-SUPAERO, France, 2017

Shaun Pullin

PhD Researcher

Shaun's research area is primarily focused on the development of numerical methods for the aerodynamic and acoustic modelling of propellers, distributed propulsion systems and propulsor-vehicle integration. Shaun graduated from the University of Bristol in 2020 with a MEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering. He then began a PhD at the University of Bristol in 2021, with a project focused on the modelling of aerodynamics and acoustics of distributed propulsion systems.

Research interests include:

Development of computationally efficient simulation tools to quickly predict the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of propeller-based propulsion systems.
Optimization of propeller blade design, operation and installation using adjoint-based methodologies.
Acceleration of computational methods by exploiting GPU hardware.
High-fidelity, scale-resolving propeller simulations using LES, from grid generation to result post-processing.
Development of physics-informed machine learning methods to improve both the design space and time-to-solution of computational tools.

Charlie Sharp

PhD Researcher

Charlie began his PhD with the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research group, in partnership and funded by Safran Landing Systems, in September 2024 after completing his MSc in Aerospace Engineering graduating from the University of Bristol. Charlie’s research primarily focuses on the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of vortex shedding with a focus on mitigation through the use of permeable materials for noise reduction purposes.

Research interests include:

Vortex dynamics
Transition flow
Passive noise control
Porous media
Experimental aerodynamic test methods

Nada Taouil

Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher

Nada joined the University of Bristol in September 2023. She obtained a BSc in Aeronautical Engineering from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2018 and an MSc in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Glasgow in 2023. Her research primarily focuses on optimisation methods and their applications in aerodynamics, atmospheric boundary layer flows, and turbulent flows. Additionally, she specialises in wind tunnel experimental methods and their applications in wall-bounded flows and fluid mechanics.  

Research interests include:

Optimisation methods and their applications in aerodynamics 
Experimental fluid mechanics and aerodynamics 
Atmospheric and turbulent boundary layer flows 
Scalar dispersion and turbulent mixing  
Air pollution.

Project title: Experimental measurements to study the influence of the pollutant release. 

Leo Trascinelli

PhD Researcher

Leo's research mainly focuses on numerical simulations of turbulence interaction with propellers and airfoils and their noise characteristics. Leo earned a MEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Bristol in 2017. He then started his PhD, remaining at the University of Bristol and is using the unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics solver SIMULIA PowerFLOW to simulate cylinder-induced propeller turbulence ingestion, propeller installation effects, and turbulence impingement on airfoils. Noise characterisation and understanding of noise generation mechanisms with applications in Urban Air Mobility aircraft is the main focus of Leo's research.
Research interests include:

Computational aeroacoustics - noise source identification
Computational fluid dynamics of propellers
CFD aided flow visualisation

Research projects include:

Large and small scale cylinder-induced turbulence ingestion in forward flight propellers
Aeroacoustics of propeller installation effects in the vicinity of a wing
Fundamental analysis of grid-generated turbulence distortion

Christopher Yi

PhD Researcher

Chris joined the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research group as a PhD student in 2022 after completing his MEng degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol. His research interests are:

Experimental characterisation of tandem-rotor aeroacoustics at high subsonic tip Mach number (M ~= 0.5)
Aerodynamic performance and flow-field measurements of tandem-rotor in non-axial inflow
Noise mitigation using blade-level features, porous materials, and system-level optimisation

Project title: Multi-rotor Aerodynamics and Noise for Next-Generation Propulsion.