Bringing together academic expertise with industry focus
With a shared commitment to advancing propulsion research, our team brings together specialists from across academia and industry to offer intellectual rigour, real-world analysis and commercial focus to support the future direction of the automotive industries and the rapid transition to low carbon mobility
Operations Team
Professor Gary Hawley
Gary is responsible for education, research and strategic planning in the Faculty of Engineering & Design as well as leading the strategic development of IAAPS
Gavin Edwards
Gavin Edwards (IAAPS Operations and IT Director)
Gavin is responsible for developing, leading and directing the efficient operation of services, IT, systems, people and processes to ensure that IAAPS is able to deliver the high quality, timely and cost effective research and collaboration services to partners
Professor Rob Oliver
Professor Rob Oliver (IAAPS Engineering Director and Professor of Practice)
Working closely with the IAAPS academics and researchers, Rob provides leadership and direction to the IAAPS Engineering and Technical teams ensuring that IAAPS meets the demanding targets for high quality research set by our collaborators in support of next generation sustainable and low carbon propulsion systems.
Gita Samuelsson
Gita Samuelsson (IAAPS Finance Lead)
Gita is responsible for developing the new financial systems, procedures and policies required for the efficient business operation. This includes the implementation of the new integrated project & financial management system to improve visibility across the business. Gita is also responsible for the management and execution of the overall IAAPS Operational Budget and Business Plan
Sarah Sempala-Ntege
Sarah Sempala-Ntege (IAAPS Communications Lead)
Sarah is responsible for the IAAPS communications strategy, ensuring all IAAPS’ stakeholders are kept updated on project developments and the launch of the new R&I facility in 2021. Sarah has developed and is implementing a multi-channel communications strategy targeting all key stakeholders involved with IAAPS, from commercial partners to political funders and local communities
Tamsin Foxwell
Tamsin Foxwell (IAAPS People Lead)
As People Lead, Tamsin works closely and collaboratively with the IAAPS team, and senior stakeholders across the University to design and deliver HR solutions that will enable IAAPS to achieve its objectives. The success of IAAPS depends on its people; ensuring that we're creating the right environments for success is a critical driver of the project.
Lizzie Little
Lizzie Little (IAAPS Deputy People Lead)
Lizzie is responsible for designing and delivering HR solutions that enable IAAPS to achieve its objectives. As Deputy People Lead, Lizzie works collaboratively with stakeholders within IAAPS and across the University to ensure IAAPS is able to attract, recruit and retain the talent which is pivotal to its success
Henry Watts
Henry Watts (IAAPS Project Manager)
Henry is responsible for project-level governance for IAAPS, ensuring the programme keeps to schedule and budget through robust leadership and management. Henry directly supports the IAAPS Programme Director through functioning as head of PMO for the programme and executing a governance framework for the projects. Henry is also responsible for managing spend against budgets across the programme and reporting to funding bodies
Carole Luckwell
Carole Luckwell (IAAPS Team Co-Ordinator)
Carole provides executive assistance to the Programme Director and facilitates information sharing between fellow members of the IAAPS Operations Team so that they can operate at optimum efficiency. She also maintains complex diaries and manages processes to ensure delivery of a high quality, responsive service
Jon Hassan
Jon Hassan (IAAPS Test Facility Manager)
Jon is responsible for maintaining a schedule of operation that ensures effective utilisation of the facilities and technical staff at IAAPS. Jon manages the IAAPS Test Facilities which currently include 4WD chassis dynamometer with full emission bench measurements, several engine test cells, and some specific test rigs. He is responsible for the scheduling of activities and managing resources such as technical staff and equipment
Dr Tomasz Duda
Dr Tomasz Duda (IAAPS Technical Specialist)
Tomasz is responsible for the implementation and integration of the rig control system and development of IAAPS' digital twin facilities
Steve Deakin
Steve Deakin (IAAPS Building Facilities Manager)
Steve is responsible for developing, delivering and maintaining high standards of operational efficiency at the IAAPS facility at the Bristol and Bath Science Park, including both the physical infrastructure and the support service provision. Steve's role encompasses ensuring an excellent level of customer experience for all stakeholders; fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement with our service providers and developing a clear communication mechanism across all groups to meet the needs of the business.
Sam Ellis-Roberts
Sam Ellis-Roberts (Health, Safety & Quality Manager)
Sam is responsible for the implementation, development and management of the quality, health & safety system. Sam's focus is on creating a QHSE strategy that integrates with the business directives. Collaborating with all members of the team, Sam develops and oversees efficient, effective processes that meet all legislation requirements.
Research Team
Professor Chris Brace
Professor Chris Brace (IAAPS Academic Director)
Chris is responsible for teaching and research around automotive propulsion systems and helping to drive collaboration between IAAPS researchers and industry. He leads a wide portfolio of propulsion systems research, with a focus on new technologies that deliver more sustainable propulsion systems and the design of new techniques to support the transition towards a more virtual product development process
Professor Sam Akehurst
Professor Sam Akehurst (IAAPS Deputy Academic Director)
Sam is a Professor of Advanced Powertrain Systems and Deputy Academic Director of the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems. He leads research projects on future thermal propulsion and hybrid powertrains with a range of industry and academic partners. Sam is also currently PI on an EPSRC Prosperity Partnership Programme with Jaguar Land Rover and CI on the EPSRC funded CDT in Advanced Propulsion Systems
Dr Richard Burke
Dr Richard Burke (Senior Lecturer and Co-Director of CDT AAPS)
Richard is responsible for running research projects within IAAPS and for bidding for new research contracts and implementing successful bids into projects. Richard manages a team of researchers and PhD students working on topics aligned to his area of research (transient characterisation and optimisation of propulsion systems). Richard is also Co-Director of the CDT AAPS
Professor Peter Wilson
Professor Peter Wilson (Professor of Electronics and Systems Engineering)
Peter has published more than 150 academic papers, three books and a patent, and has been principal investigator on numerous EPSRC grants. He is the supervisor of the Team Bath Racing Electric (TBRe) formula student electric racing team at Bath, co-supervisor of the Bath Zero Emissions Motorcycle racing team, and leads postgraduate teaching developments in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Dr Chris Vagg
Dr Chris Vagg (Lecturer in Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (Electrification))
Chris is responsible for research on electrified powertrain solutions, in particular where system level analysis or architectural innovation is required. Chris conducts research on electrified powertrain solutions including system level analysis, architectural innovation and thermal management
Dr Xianwu (Vincent) Zeng
Dr Xianwu (Vincent) Zeng (Lecturer in Electric Propulsion Systems)
Vincent is responsible for seeking advanced power electronics solutions to build future low carbon transportation. His research focuses on power electronics, motor drives, hybrid electric vehicles and renewable interface systems
Dr Nic Zhang
Dr Nic Zhang (Lecturer in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence)
Nic is responsible for the investigation of physical systems using analytical and statistical models
Dr Aaron Costall
Dr Aaron Costall (Reader in Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems)
Aaron is responsible for turbocharger-related research and testing at IAAPS. His research interests include measurement and prediction of compressor surge and turbine transient response, advanced turbocharger models to optimize engine performance over real-life drive cycles, electric turbocharging, and thermal energy recovery. He has extensive industrial experience, having worked for Caterpillar Inc. and Mitsubishi Turbochargers. Aaron teaches Internal Combustion Engine Technology at the University of Bath.
Dr Andrew Lewis
Dr Andrew Lewis (IAAPS Principal Engineer - Powertrain)
Andy is responsible for all engineering and research activities conducted on the powertrain test facilities. He will be working closely with collaborators and customers to deliver cutting edge research and development programmes. Andy's focus is to maintain a high performing research facility, remaining at the forefront of the technology so that IAAPS is capable of delivering our customers' and collaborators' requirements.
Dr Edward Chappell
Dr Edward Chappell (Research Fellow)
Ed is responsible for a small team of researchers and PhD students working on a variety of industrial research projects, in vehicle performance and emissions. He is responsible for the technical direction and day to day management of these research projects within the IAAPS group at the University of Bath
Dr Simon Pickering
Dr Simon Pickering (Research Fellow)
Simon advises on and assists in the delivery of simulation, data analysis and control system development aspects of many projects in IAAPS. He has published 26 journal papers and 26 conference papers to date and has given a number of invited presentations on thermal modelling and embedded software development, which are among his specific research interests. Simon has led work packages as CI on 5 major research projects with a combined total of more than £800k
Dr Robert Wragge-Morley
Dr Robert Wragge-Morley (Research Associate)
Robert has the role of Automotive Development Associate within IAAPS at the University of Bath. As well as being Research Associate for IAAPS, Robert is also part of the IAAPS Industrial Engagement Team where he works to ensure a collaborative environment between researchers and industry
Dr Karl Giles
Dr Karl Giles (Research Associate)
Karl manages the day-to-day delivery of simulation and experimental projects relating to fuel, air path and combustion system development for gasoline engines. He serves as the primary point of contact between the client and IAAPS for relevant work packages. He provides day-to-day supervision and support for a small team of engineers, which includes identifying and delegating tasks, reviewing and providing feedback on analysis/written work, and managing team resources to keep projects on track. He is also involved in the analysis of test-bed/simulation data, distilling the key findings and presenting recommendations to the client
Dr Kyriakos Kallis
Dr Kyriakos Kallis (Research Associate)
Kyriakos is the Action Researcher in IAAPS and is working under the Advanced Engineering Business Acceleration Hub (AEBAH) project. Kyriakos is involved in undertaking technical business development and engagement activities as well as research project development associated with AEBAH. This is related to the advanced engineering needs of potential entrepreneurs, aligning and developing collaborative development opportunities with appropriate researchers
Working with us
Our core philosophy is underpinned by a systems-level approach, cross cutting competencies and using individual specialisms to support our partners. Our approach is experimentally intensive, analytically demanding and highly collaborative. We work with partners on a full range of projects from short term test programmes to long term research collaborations
Get Involved
Our world-class facilities
IAAPS has world-class, fully integrated research facilities with the flexibility to cater for all propulsion types from conventional engines supplied by a range of fuels through to hybrid and electric powertrain systems. Our facilities can handle complete vehicles, individual systems or single components through bespoke cell configuration, utilising the latest measurement equipment and designed to offer our partners timely, consistent, accurate, and repeatable analysis.
View our facilities