Faraday Pathways
The Faraday Institution has convened a network of over 500 researchers from various universities, disciplines, projects, and career stages. These Faraday Pathways showcase the career success of talented individuals throughout our community and how Faraday Institution training programmes, interventions, collaborative ways of working and community building initiatives are helping to deliver future skills needed.
Can you help? Please consider preparing and posting a social media post that shares your #FaradayPathways and work with other researchers in your network encouraging them to share their career stories.
There’s lots of reasons to get involved:
- Help inspire the next generation of talent in the UK energy storage sector.
- Develop your communications and social media skills.
- Share pointers with people following a similar path to you
Take a look at the resources we have developed to help you tell your stories and those of your colleagues.
Beth Murdock
Dr Beth Murdock has built a career driven by a clear purpose: using battery science to create sustainable, real-world solutions. From academic energy-storage research to techno-economic analysis of material supply chains and now leading LMFP development at Redoxion, her journey shows how curiosity, values-led decisions and diverse technical training can shape a meaningful career path in the battery sector.
Chrispin Gogoda
Having grown up in Malawi marveling at solar panels, Dr Chrispin Gogoda’s academic journey has led him full circle. He completed his MSc and PhD in the UK, where he studied renewable energy systems technology at Loughborough University and has now returned to Malawi. There, he is spearheading the country’s energy storage transition through leadership roles at Mzuzu University, and as a Faraday Institution Battery Ambassador, promoting energy storage research and networking in his country and across the Global South.
Evangelos Kalamaras
From early years spent stargazing in a remote town in Greece to his current role shaping next-generation battery technologies at Agratas, Evangelos’ story is a testament to his resilience, curiosity, and a deep commitment to sustainability. His #FaradayPathway reflects the opportunities that being part of the Faraday Institution community can provide, not just through funding and training, but also in building a connected, supportive network.
Ashley Willow
Dr Ashley Willow’s #FaradayPathway explores his journey across academia and industry, spanning multiple disciplines. Now a Senior Lecturer based at Swansea University’s Department of Chemical Engineering, Ashley’s story is a reminder that careers in battery science don’t have to follow a straight line, and that career success often comes from balancing research passion with practicality and personal needs.
Pooja Vadhva
From a childhood fascination with space living near NASA’s Johnson Space Center, to her current role as a Technical Asset Manager in Battery Energy Storage at Gresham House, Dr Pooja Vadhva’s pathway shows the global and dynamic paths a career in battery science can take. Her pathway is an inspiring example of what determination and perseverance can achieve.
Gavin Harper
Dr Gavin Harper’s pathway explores his unconventional journey from leaving school at the age of 16 to an interdisciplinary career spanning technical research, public engagement and national policy. Now a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham and a key contributor to the Faraday Institution’s ReLiB project, Gavin’s work bridges research, business and policy development, and his career is a powerful reminder of the importance of diverse backgrounds.
Ivana Hasa
Dr Ivana Hasa’s journey to being an Associate Professor at WMG, University of Warwick, highlights her pioneering research into sustainable sodium-ion batteries, collaboration with world-renowned institutions and commitment to supporting the next generation of scientists. Her roles with the Faraday Institution’s Training and Diversity Panel and leading the WMG Battery School reflect her passion for fostering talent.
James Simon
From growing up in South Wales to his current role enabling sustainable energy storage through his work as a PhD researcher on the SafeBatt project, James’ journey is a compelling tale of exploration, curiosity and perseverance. His pathway underscores the importance of exploring diverse career options and the value of pursuing a career path that excites you.
Chantal Baer
From participating in chemistry competitions in high school to her current role as a PhD researcher in battery system modelling at the University of Warwick, Chantal’s path to becoming a battery scientist has been one of exploration, curiosity and determination. She highlights the value of embracing interdisciplinary collaboration and emphasises the importance of mentorship and establishing a strong support network.
Alex Morscher
Dr Alexandra Morscher’s pathway explores her remarkable international career journey and inspiring drive for scientific discovery, from her PhD at the University of Liverpool working on the SOLBAT project to her current role a post-doctoral research assistant at the University of Münster. Alex highlights the value of mentorship in shaping her journey, pivotal training experiences and the importance of identifying your ‘why’.
Lizzy Olisa
Lizzy’s pathway outlines how her participation in the Formula Student competition during her Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Sussex led her to pursue a PhD at Imperial as part of the LiSTAR lithium-sulfur battery project. Lizzy’s story highlights the opportunities and flexibility offered by scientific careers. She reflects on her experiences in male-dominated spaces, and emphasises the importance of pursuing your passion, regardless of others’ opinions.
Gwen Chimonides
Dr Gwen Chimonides’ pathway highlights how she’s transferred her skills from cell biology to battery research, and explores her current project: scaling up porous silicon production for use as an anode material as part of a Faraday Institution Industry Sprint. Gwen reflects on the challenges she's faced by being both a researcher and a mother, advising early career researchers to balance career goals with personal aspirations.
Mark Buckwell
Mark’s #FaradayPathway explores his career journey from a bachelor’s in medical physics, to a research fellow exploring the science of battery safety on the SafeBatt project, to his current role as Lab Manager of UCL’s Advanced Propulsion Laboratory at UCL East. His story demonstrates that careers are often not linear, and that being comfortable with uncertainty is something that should be valued.
Callum Chisnall
Callum Chisnall’s journey demonstrates that scientists are not confined to a predefined pathway but can dynamically shape and alter their career trajectory. His career to date highlights his adaptability, varied research experiences, and readiness to embrace a diversity of roles in both industrial and academic settings. He underscores the importance of networking, engaging with new opportunities, and working on the edge of your comfort zone.
Edward Brightman
Dr Edward Brightman reflects on his career spanning industry, academia and a start-up: from a PhD on fuel cells at Imperial College London to industrial roles and his return to academia. Now, in his current role as a lecturer at the University of Strathclyde, Ed works on the ReSTOR project: helping to design recyclable flow battery systems for locally managed energy storage in developing countries.
Laura Wheatcroft
Dr Laura Wheatcroft shares her journey, from being a Faraday Institution Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield on the FutureCat project to working as a scientist for UK-based battery start-up, Nyobolt. She describes how two interventions from WISE and the EMPOWER programme came at pivotal decision points in her career, guiding and supporting her along the way.
Sean Scott
Five years after starting his PhD at Leicester University, Sean Scott continues to contribute to the Faraday Institution’s ReLiB project as a Faraday Institution Research Fellow based in the same group. He shares how his roles in review panels and the ECR Committee has benefited him, underscoring the importance of seizing professional and personal development opportunities wherever they arise.
Mahfuz Kamal
Mahfuz, a recent graduate of Newcastle University and a member of the first cohort of Faraday Institution PhD researchers, embodies the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. His start-up, Recovolt, was recently awarded a Faraday Entrepreneurial Fellowship. He is the first generation of his family to attend university, an aspiring entrepreneur, and keen to harness the commercial potential of his research
Sanzhar Taizhan
Sanzhar Taizhan’s shares his inspiring career journey, which has led him from high school in Kazakhstan, to studying automotive engineering at the University of Warwick, to founding his own company, TaiSan Energy and being awarded a Faraday Institution’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship.
James Le Houx
James has been closely involved with the Faraday Institution community for many years and has recently been awarded the Faraday ISIS Emerging Leader Battery Fellowship. His exciting career has led him from a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southampton to the role of Beamline Scientist at Diamond Light Source.
Siddhi Barhanpurkar
Inspired by an undergraduate attraction event on Battery Day 2023, Siddhi Barhanpurkar undertook a FUSE internship with About:Energy and is thinking about pursuing a PhD in the sector. Siddhi is a materials science undergraduate at the University of Cambridge
Megan Groom
Megan’s passion for sustainability has led her from an MSci degree in Natural Sciences at the University of Nottingham to pursuing a PhD in Physics at the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory. She tells us how she enjoys investigating multidisciplinary problems and the importance of remaining curious.
Jake Brittain
Jake shares his career journey, from his PhD at the University of Oxford and his research for the Faraday Institution’s NEXGENNA project, to his current role as Battery Materials Scientist at Faradion. He explains how his career was driven by his passion for sustainability and why he decided to move into industry.
Peter Slater
Peter Slater’s career has led him from a PhD at the University of Birmingham to Surrey and full circle to back to Birmingham as Professor in Materials Chemistry. He shares with us the importance of creating a positive research environment, and how he supports the next generation of battery scientists.
Andrew Abbott
Andy Abbott is Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Leicester. He shares with us how his year in industry changed his life, his thoughts on how to be a good mentor to students, and the importance of making people from all backgrounds feel welcome in academia.
James Robinson
James shares his journey from his PhD at University College Dublin to securing the academic position of Lecturer in Advanced Propulsion at UCL, aided by his involvement in the Faraday Institution.
Megan Penrod
Megan’s career journey has led her from an undergraduate degree at Penn State to her current role as Research Assistant at the University of Cambridge. She is passionate about communicating science and runs inspiring STEM outreach workshops in schools.
Yang Xu
From studying chemistry as an undergraduate in China, to becoming a lecturer in electrochemical energy storage at UCL, Dr Yang Xu's career has spanned multiple continents. He tells us about his journey and his views on the value of work ethic, modesty, and patience…
Daisy Thornton
Daisy Thornton completed her PhD in Materials Engineering at Imperial College London and now works a Cell Degradation Engineer at Rimac Energy. She shares with us how she remained resilient during her PhD, why she decided to move to industry, and the importance of remaining open minded.
Yashraj Tripathy
From a mechanical engineering degree in India, through research roles at Warwick Manufacturing Group, to becoming a senior principal engineer at Rolls Royce and now Head of Product at About:Energy, Dr Yashraj Tripathy has built his career through perseverance and proactively creating and seizing opportunities.
Gabriel Pérez
Gabriel is an Instrument Scientist at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. He shares how limitations he faced during his PhD allowed him to foster creativity and resourcefulness in his research, and the importance of seeking mentorship and making the most of the wealth of knowledge around you.
Huizhi Wang
Huizhi has had an exciting career, from her PhD at the University of Hong Kong to her current role as Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London. She shares how following her curiosity has led her from thermal engineering into electrochemical devices, and her views on the importance of having the freedom for exploration in research.
Alastair Hales
Alastair made the move to the University of Bristol recently to take his first academic position as Lecturer. Here he outlines the importance of thinking strategically when taking the step up from post doc positions – taking every opportunity to actively fill in gaps in experience and capabilities, and demonstrate the ability to successfully bring in funding.
Ann Huang
Ann Huang is a Senior Lecturer in Energy Storage Materials at Imperial College London. Her career story highlights the power of a final year undergraduate degree project in setting a career direction and the importance of the support and encouragement of more senior researchers in establishing an academic career…
Ferran Brosa Planella
Ferran is an Assistant Professor at the Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick. Here, he discusses the rewards of sitting at the boundary of maths and engineering and the importance of researchers putting themselves in the right place at the right time to take the next steps in their career…