Being a member of the AILU Early Career Group has provided me with networking, presentation and site visit opportunities that have been incredibly beneficial towards my personal development. This has proved invaluable within my research role, especially at international conferences I have attended.
Donald Risbridger, Heriot-Watt University
Knowing people who specialise in their areas of academia can be crucial for companies in industry. Researchers can provide an insight that helps companies complete technical jobs that may otherwise be far less efficient, or may not even be able to be completed, without their input. The ECG provides a platform for networking where this valuable crossover between industry and academia takes place.
Greg Carter, Micrometric
I have found the ECG seminars really insightful as to what activities are taking place at the moment, it has led to building new connections and encourages collaboration. Lab tours are particularly useful where you can gain inside knowledge on the performance of equipment and the practices of other establishments, such as laser safety, laboratory management and laser system design. This information is invaluable to take back to site and helps steer decision making.
Being able to talk to suppliers without the pressure of product sales is refreshing and builds up professional connections. Suppliers are a fount of knowledge, many with a vast historical knowledge of lasers and past research. They are very useful to broach research ideas too, as they can usually inform you about aligned concepts.
The ECG meetings fosters a sense of community, reducing barriers, encouraging collaboration between research groups and industry.
Daniel Wilson, University of Manchester
Being a founding member of the AILU Early Careers Committee was a rewarding experience that spanned nearly six years of my career. It provided a great opportunity to connect with academics and professionals who shared common interests, some of whom I later collaborated with.
The presentations I attended through AILU were invaluable for keeping up to date with the latest developments in both industrial and academic laser research across the UK. Contributing to The Laser User was a particularly enjoyable way to share my research and feel part of the wider community.
Staying engaged with AILU’s activities and attending events like the ILAS conference also helped me expand my professional network and meet useful industry contacts. Overall, my involvement with the Early Careers Committee helped me stay informed and connected in the laser field, and I’m grateful for the experience!
Ioannis Bitharas, Heriot-Watt University
Ex-ECG member
Early Careers Group Members
Priyanka Ghosh
(Group Chair)
MTC
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Priyanka is an Advanced Research Engineer within the Laser Processing team at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry. Her research focuses on high-power laser processing of advanced materials and developing in-process monitoring and control techniques for laser material processing.
http://www.linkedin.com
/in/priyanka-ghosh-738656151
Laser interests: Laser Machining, Laser-material Interactions, In-Process Monitoring of Laser Drilling, Finite Element Analysis, Sustainable Manufacturing
Neda Baktash
(Group Secretary)
Coherent, Glasgow
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Neda is a Staff Laser Development Engineer at Coherent’s Glasgow site. She works on ultrafast lasers suitable for a wide range of industrial and scientific application areas. Neda previously worked at TRUMPF, Southampton and also on the Petawatt Vulcan laser at RAL’s Central Laser Facility.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/neda-baktash-4261b721/
Laser interests: Ultrafast Fibre Lasers, Laser Material Processing
Donald Risbridger
(AILU Steering Committee)
Heriot-Watt University
Donald is a Research Associate at Heriot Watt University. His research focuses on automating optical alignment tasks using both robotic instruments and software-controlled solutions. These methods are compared to manual adjustment methods used by laser experts through human behaviour analysis.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/donald-risbridger-a8316b109/
Laser interests: Optical Systems Design, Automation, Ultrafast Laser Processing, Laser Surgery, Machine Learning
David Rico-Sierra
Cranfield University
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David is a Research Fellow in additive manufacturing at the Welding Engineering and Laser Processing (WELP) centre. This is an applied research organisation working in collaboration with manufacturing industries on topics such as industrial scale additive manufacturing using wire and arc-based technology and laser welding processing.
Mitchell Leering
MTC
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Mitchell is an Advanced Research Engineer within the Laser Processing group at The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry. His current research focuses on developing rate-based machining capabilities at the MTC in laser micro-hole drilling and remote laser cutting.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/mitchell-leering/
Laser interests: Laser Machining, Laser-Materials Interactions, Finite Element Analysis, Hydrogen, Electrification
Daniel Wilson
University of Manchester
Daniel Wilson is a technical specialist in the Advanced Photonics and Manufacturing platform at the University of Manchester. They are completing their PhD on the topic of producing stereo audio records for turntables using lasers as an alternative manufacturing process.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/daniel-wilson-462a9326/
Laser interests: beam shaping using spatial light modulators, experimental design, laser safety, training.
Venkat Vivek Pamarthi
Warwick University
Vivek is a process monitoring and modelling researcher currently in the third year of his PhD at the Laser Beam Welding Group at Warwick Manufacturing Group, UK. His research interests focus on modelling crack susceptibility of laser welding and developing novel in-process monitoring of cracking using image processing techniques.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/
venkat-vivek-pamarthi-2366a6121
Laser interests: In-Process Monitoring of Laser Welding, Beam Shaping
Antonia Barnard
University of Hull
Antonia is a PhD student in the department of Physics at the University of Hull sponsored by Luxinar Ltd working in the field of laser-material interactions. Her work encompasses the application of CO2 and ultrashort pulse lasers with an emphasis on how machine learning can inform the process in real time.
https://www.linkedin.com
/in/antonia-barnard-738574317/
Laser interests: modelling laser-matter interactions, RF CO2 lasers and laser machining
Jacob Lavin
Loughborough University
Jacob is a Research Associate in Thermofluids and Optics at Loughborough University. His current research focuses on the control and imaging of in-cylinder flow structures for hydrogen internal combustion engines (ICE). His PhD centred around advancing the technique of laser cutting as a nuclear decommissioning tool.
https://www.linkedin.com
/in/jacob-lavin/
Laser Cutting, Gas Dynamics in Laser Cutting, Lasers Measurement Techniques, Nuclear Decomissioning, Hydrogen ICE.
Kuladeep Rajamudili
Cranfield University
Kuladeep is a Research fellow at the Welding Engineering and Laser Processing Centre, Cranfield University. He currently works in laser, plasma and hybrid additive manufacturing for the research programme New Wire Additive Manufacturing (NEWAM).
Greg Carter
Micrometric Ltd
Greg is a Project Engineer for Micrometric Ltd and has recently graduated from the University of Lincoln with a masters in Mechanical Engineering. Some of Greg’s tasks include designing new laser machines, designing and fabricating jigs for customers and maintenance of machines and lasers used at Micrometric.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/greg-carter1/
Laser interests: laser materials processing, laser welding, laser drilling, and different applications of lasers.
Qamar Hayat
University of Warwick
Qamar’s background is in Metallurgical Engineering. In his current role at WMG, University of Warwick, Qamar leads projects centred around advancing the development of new laser welding processes for Aluminium alloys and advanced steels.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/qamar-hayat-6a872524/
Laser Interests: Material Characterisation, Micromechanical Testing, Laser Welding, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Laser Beam Shaping
Laurence Glaister
TWI
Laurence is a Senior Technician at TWI Ltd, supporting innovative research and development projects in varying industry sectors applying laser welding, cutting and surface texturing techniques using a range of fibre lasers, manipulation and scanning methods.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/laurence-g-53100a135
Laser interests: Laser Weld and Process Quality Monitoring, Robotic and Beam Manipulation, EV Battery Welding, Nuclear Decommissioning.
Andrew Cousins
Loughborough University
Andrew is currently studying for his PhD at Loughborough University. His topic of research is Laser applications in Nuclear Decommissioning. In particular he is investigating the fume generated during laser cutting and fume abatement to make laser cutting more viable in decommissioning activities.
https://www.linkedin.com
/in/andrew-cousins
Laser interests: Laser Fume, Nuclear, Fibre Lasers
Jialin Dong
Loughborough University
Jialin is a PhD student at Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical, and Manufacturing Engineering at Loughborough University. His research focuses on developing the methodology of laser surface engineering for biomedical applications, such as cardiovascular stents, aiming to improve biocompatibility, bioactivity, and mechanical properties.
https://www.linkedin.com
/in/jialin-dong-08949015b/
Laser interests: Laser Surface Engineering, Laser Materials Processing; Bioengineering and Healthcare Engineering; Materials Engineering and Processing; Materials Characterisation.
Ragavendran Meenakshisundaram
AMRC Northwest
Raga is a Technical Lead in laser welding at AMRC Northwest, University of Sheffield. He works on joining technologies for EV batteries and surface engineering.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/ragavendran-meenakshisundaram-248b05215/
Laser interests: High-power laser welding, Laser surface engineering and materials processing.
Tom Kerrigan
TLM Laser
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Tom joined TLM Laser in 2023 to lead the development of the internal marketing department from the ground up. He is building his team and widening his scope, focusing on creating data-driven campaigns that deliver real results and support TLM’s technical sales team.
https://www.linkedin.com
/in/thomas-kerrigan-660945106/
Laser interests: Laser Industry Business Development, Digital Strategy, Marketing
Ali Baghbani-Barenji
University of Warwick
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Ali is a PhD student based in the Laser Beam Welding Group at WMG, University of Warwick. His research focuses on laser welding and the corrosion behaviour of dissimilar metals, particularly in joining steel to aluminium. He is interested in how laser–material interactions influence surface vaporisation and contribute to the formation of specific microstructures and phases.
Laser interests: Laser welding; Laser surface engineering; Laser material processing; Material characterisation
How was the Group set up?
The Early Careers Group started out as the Early Careers Research Committee in October 2017 with the aim of increasing the visibility and engagement of younger members within AILU. The aim is that, as the careers of members of the ECG develop through industry and academia, they will maintain contact with AILU and encourage the next generation of industrial laser users.
There are added benefits for Group members, such as increased networking with peers at other academic/research institutions and businesses, profile-raising, and the addition of new skills to enhance CVs.
The initial focus of the ECG initiative was to produce a column of articles and features for the AILU’s magazine, “The Laser User”.
What’s happening now?
The role of the ECG had expanded since it was formed. Members regularly submit short features to their dedicated page in the magazine, and in addition, contribute in-depth 2-page R&D articles as well as observations on other authors’ articles. They are strategically developing the group to include commercial and industrial members so that the group reflects the make-up of all AILU members.
The Group meets twice a year, usually December and June. The one-day events are held in person, with online access, and hosted by one of the group members. The events begin with a morning seminar where members of the Group share their recent research and application experiences. The seminar is open to all and is followed by a tour of the laser facilities at the host institution. An ECG meeting is held in the afternoon for Group members.
The image shows members of the group with other seminar attendees at Cranfield University in June 2024.
Have a look at our LinkedIn page
Interested in joining?
Meetings are very informal and relaxed and you will be made very welcome. The group is open to anyone who fulfils the following criteria:
- current Masters and PhD students
- researchers who are within 5 years of a completed postgraduate degree
- those in the early stages of their career in industry
- others for whom supervisors/line managers would like to make a special case
If you are interested in joining please contact info@ailu.org.uk